descent

noun

de·​scent di-ˈsent 

1

a

: derivation from an ancestor : birth, lineage

of French descent

patrilineal descent

b

: transmission or devolution of an estate (see estate entry 1 sense 4b) by inheritance usually in the descending line

c

: the fact or process of originating from an ancestral stock

the descent of modern humans and chimpanzees from a common ancestor

d

: the shaping or development in nature and character by transmission from a source : derivation

… could trace a faint but sure descent from Roman law.

—R. W. Southern

2

: the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower level, rank, or state

begin our descent down the mountain

3

: a step downward in a scale of gradation

specifically : one generation in an ancestral line or genealogical scale

His pedigree shows eleven descents.

4

a

: an inclination downward : slope

a nearly perpendicular descent

b

: a way (such as a downgrade or stairway) that descends or leads downward

c

obsolete : the lowest part

… from the extremest upward of thy head to the descent and dust below thy foot …

—Shakespeare

5

a

: attack, invasion

descent of the locusts

b

: a sudden disconcerting appearance (as for a visit)

unprepared for the descent of her in-laws

6

: a downward step (as in station or value) : decline

the descent of the family into poverty

Synonyms of descent

• drop
• dip
• plunge
• decline
• dive
• fall
• down

Examples of descent in a Sentence

The book describes his descent into a deep depression after the death of his wife.

her slow descent to a life of addiction

The only path that goes down to the river is a rather steep descent, so be careful.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their descent into anarchy was a slow burn, rather than instant ignition. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

About one quarter of the people buried at Blake Street were of African American descent, Baldwin said. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

To make the comparison, the researchers estimated the average volumes of more than a dozen brain regions in modern people of Han Chinese and European descent, as well as in Neanderthals. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 20 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

Middle English, from Anglo-French descente, from Anglo-French descendre — see descend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing descent

• of royal descent

Rhymes for descent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

descent

noun

de·​scent di-ˈsent 

1

: one's line of ancestors : birth, lineage

2

: the act or process of descending

3

: a downward step (as in station or value) : decline

4

a

: a downward slant : slope

b

: a descending way (as a stairway)

5

: a sudden raid or assault

Medical Definition

descent

noun

de·​scent di-ˈsent 

1

: the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower location

descent of the testes into the scrotum

2

a

: derivation from an ancestor

b

: the fact or process of originating by generation from an ancestral stock (as a species or genus)

3

: a former method of distillation in which the material was heated in a vessel having its outlet underneath so that the vapors produced were forced to descend

Legal Definition

descent

noun

de·​scent

: transmission or devolution of the estate of a person who has died without a valid will compare distribution