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

But Englander said rapid ascents in Treasury yields have occurred often over the last several years, meaning the bond market is one exogenous shock away from closing the gap. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 July 2026

To Talk With God By Patti Smith To speak of John Coltrane is to speak of the admission and ascent of the creative soul. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

About an hour later, after a normal ascent, the new Starlink batch (Group 17-39) were deployed into their intended orbit. — Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 21 July 2026

In those moments, Hahn turned off his variometer, which beeps to signal the rate of ascent or descent, leaving him in a silent communion with the birds around him, shaped like arrows with a wingspan of some 16 inches. — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 19 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