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

• ascension
• climb
• rise
• rising
• soar

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

Pence didn't inspire such a strong reaction, in part because his ascent to the ticket occurred in a very different context. —Philip Bump, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

Bold is how many distilled his rocketing ascent into the French presidency; arrogant is how many now view his Icarus-like fall from grace. —Joseph Ataman, CNN, 9 July 2024

The Orioles’ top prospect crushed every level of the minors during his ascent to the top of every major prospect rankings list, but his 2-for-34 performance over 10 big league games halted his momentum and forced him to make some changes. —Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024

Thanks to the Texans' ascent, the NFL now has had at least one team complete a worst-to-first transformation within its division in 19 of the past 21 years. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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