ascend

verb

as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
ascended; ascending; ascends

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move upward
the balloon ascended
b
: to slope upward
The path ascends through the woods.
c
: to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain
an ascending somatosensory pathway
2
a
: to rise from a lower level or degree
ascend to power
b
: to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
c
: to pass from lower to higher musical notes
C – E ascending

transitive verb

1
: to go or move up
ascend a staircase
2
: to succeed to : occupy
ascend the throne
ascendable adjective
or ascendible

Examples of ascend in a Sentence

They watched their balloons slowly ascend into the sky. Divers must not ascend too rapidly to the water's surface. She believed that when she died, her soul would ascend to heaven. Several paths ascend to the top of the mountain. stairs ascending to the attic John Adams ascended to the presidency in 1797. She worked as a clerk before ascending to her current position.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Models ascended monumental metal scaffolding, walked through cascading fountains in towering Kiss boots, and turned the runway into performance art. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 The Western States 100 ranks as America’s top ultramarathon, launching from the Palisades Tahoe ski resort and ascending to nearly 9,000 feet before dropping into Auburn, California. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025 Gibson, 31, performed well when available last season but was in and out of the mix with injuries, all while pending restricted free agent Lukáš Dostál’s star ascended rapidly. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 28 June 2025 After Johnson was sworn in as president on Nov. 22, 1963, following the assassination of Kennedy, Moyers ascended as well. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for ascend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ascendere, from ad- + scandere to climb — more at scan

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascend was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ascend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascend. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

ascend

verb
as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
: to go up : climb, rise
ascend a hill
smoke ascends
ascendable adjective
or ascendible

Medical Definition

ascend

intransitive verb
as·​cend ə-ˈsend How to pronounce ascend (audio)
: to move upward: as
a
: to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain
nerve fibers that ascend to a nucleus of the brain
ascending and descending tracts
b
: to affect the extremities and especially the lower limbs first and then the central nervous system
ascending paralysis

More from Merriam-Webster on ascend

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