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

Yet, the transition from teenage phenom to professional mainstay has been anything but a linear ascent. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

As weather conditions deteriorated near the summit, three climbers turned back, while Morup and two colleagues continued their ascent. — ABC News, 2 July 2026

Like last year, the race will finish with a circuit loop over Montmartre before concluding on the Champs-Élysées — but organizers have moved the final ascent earlier in the race, hoping to maintain the possibility of a sprint finish. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 1 July 2026

The torch has been closed to the public since 1916, making Muir's ascent a rare event. — Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 1 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