ascent

noun

as·​cent ə-ˈsent 

a-

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

Synonyms of ascent

• climb
• ascension

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

With a few hoots and hollers, and even a couple clucks, the group took off on their ascent to the Betty Bear Hut. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 30 July 2026

In 2014, the explorer began a slow ascent of Mount Sharp, a three-mile-tall formation in the middle of Gale crater. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

Pogačar dropped Vingegaard on the ascent of the fearsome Tourmalet — but actually took more time on the descent. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 July 2026

But that’s very, very rare air — just a handful of entrants over thousands of years — and a steep ascent for a modern filmmaker working with runtime of 2 hours and 52 minutes. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 27 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ascent

• accent
• advent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids 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