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

In May, two Indian climbers died on Mount Everest during a record-breaking period of ascents via Nepal's southern route. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Dinner is more convivial; patients plan trips to nearby towns or ascents of local hills together. — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Interplanetary travel aside, the comedian-actor-singer is strikingly grounded for someone who has enjoyed an enviable ascent on their own terms over the past decade. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026

If Tampa Bay doesn’t have Baker Mayfield this could be an easier win, but Mayfield or not, the Panthers should continue their recent momentum as Bryce Young continues his ascent to the upper tier of NFL QBs this season. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 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