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
The Colts were pegged to land at least one major trade for their ascent and playoff push, and Gardner could be the right player to do just that.
—
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Ross Mayfield, an investment strategist at Baird, said he has not been surprised by the stock market’s ascent.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
The movie, which was given ★★★1/2 out of four by USA TODAY's Brian Truitt, follows Cheney from his days as a young husband and father to his ascent to one of the nation's top political posts.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
From the central atrium, the Grand Staircase -- a six-story ascent lined with around 60 monumental artifacts including statues, sarcophagi, columns and stelae -- culminates in a view of Giza's three famous pyramids.
—Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
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James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Ross Mayfield, an investment strategist at Baird, said he has not been surprised by the stock market’s ascent.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
The movie, which was given ★★★1/2 out of four by USA TODAY's Brian Truitt, follows Cheney from his days as a young husband and father to his ascent to one of the nation's top political posts.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
From the central atrium, the Grand Staircase -- a six-story ascent lined with around 60 monumental artifacts including statues, sarcophagi, columns and stelae -- culminates in a view of Giza's three famous pyramids.
—Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 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 5 Nov. 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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