1
a
: the act of rising or mounting upward : climb
completed their ascent of the mountain
b
: an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity
followed the steep ascent to the top of the hill
c
: the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient
2
: an advance in social status or reputation : progress
their ascent from the lower class to the middle class
3
: a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession
Examples of ascent in a Sentence
They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill.
our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike earlier revisionist powers, China intends to complete its ascent through the steady accumulation of economic power and influence rather than through military conquest.
—
Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The flight, en route from Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela to New York City, had to halt its ascent to avoid colliding with the refueling tanker.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
It’s been a brisk and steady ascent for the brainy designer, now at the pinnacle of one of France’s most storied fashion houses.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
En route to the top floor—where five of the seven bedrooms and four of the six and a half bathrooms are located—the stairs appear at first quite normal, with the initial two ascents made of wood.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
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Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
The flight, en route from Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela to New York City, had to halt its ascent to avoid colliding with the refueling tanker.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
It’s been a brisk and steady ascent for the brainy designer, now at the pinnacle of one of France’s most storied fashion houses.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
En route to the top floor—where five of the seven bedrooms and four of the six and a half bathrooms are located—the stairs appear at first quite normal, with the initial two ascents made of wood.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
Cite this Entry
“Ascent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ascent
noun
as·cent
ə-ˈsent 
a-
1
: the act of rising or climbing up
began their ascent of the mountain
2
: an upward slope
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