ascension

noun

as·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen(t)-shən 

: the act or process of ascending

Synonyms of ascension

• ascent
• climb

Examples of ascension in a Sentence

The play tells of his ascension to the presidency.

the ascension of women in society

Recent Examples on the Web

New England was 8-26 over the previous two seasons, but coach Mike Vrabel’s arrival and second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s ascension put it back in the Super Bowl for an NFL-best 12th time. —Jeff Howe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Cal State Fullerton kept its surprising ascension alive with a 71-61 victory over Long Beach State in the Big West Conference matchup at Titan Gym. —Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

This was the decade of Italy’s ascension onto the global style stage, following the patronage of Giovanni Battista Giorgini and the Made In Italy movement the aristocrat inspired. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Toney’s ascension to superstardom and Marion and Daniels’ solid play made it so those players’ absences did not sting. —Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ascension-, ascensio, from ascendere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing ascension

• right ascension

Rhymes for ascension

• attention
• contention
• convention
• declension
• detention
• dimension
• dissension
• distension
• extension
• intension
• invention
• laurentian

Kids Definition

ascension

noun

as·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen-chən 

: the act or process of ascending

Geographical Definition

Ascension

geographical name

As·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen(t)-shən 

isolated island in the South Atlantic belonging to the British colony of Saint Helena area 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), population 1400