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

• ascension
• climb
• rise
• rising
• soar

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 craft’s first flight in April 2023 lasted only a few minutes before the booster lost power and exploded on ascent. —Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Clients pay tens of thousands of dollars to attempt these ascents — Everest expeditions start at around $40,000 and can cost six figures for a more luxurious experience — and entrust their guides with their lives. —Jenny Vrentas, New York Times, 31 May 2024

The Denali National Park and Preserve said that Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest seasons for mountaineering on Denali, and that as of Wednesday morning, there were 506 climbers trying to make the ascent up the mountain. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024

Young’s signature beat did not live and die with disco’s ascent and ultimate decline in the mainstream. —John Morrison, SPIN, 9 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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