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
But the ascent of Elaida means a reactionary who loves the color red and wants to Make the Aes Sedai Great Again is in charge.
—
Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
At the same time, Representative Newt Gingrich from Georgia was already in ascent, assuming the position of House Minority Whip in March 1989.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Imagine that another neighborhood follows the same model, and another after that, until this pathway of socioeconomic ascent becomes a part of the fabric of a city, then a region, then a state.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Look for Salas to continue his ascent as the Padres’ catcher of the future back at San Antonio in 2025.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
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Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
At the same time, Representative Newt Gingrich from Georgia was already in ascent, assuming the position of House Minority Whip in March 1989.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Imagine that another neighborhood follows the same model, and another after that, until this pathway of socioeconomic ascent becomes a part of the fabric of a city, then a region, then a state.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Look for Salas to continue his ascent as the Padres’ catcher of the future back at San Antonio in 2025.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 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 2 May. 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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