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

As the year progressed, shares quickly regained their footing and continued their ascent with the Street starting to realize that the vast amount of user data Meta has gathered over the years puts it in a prime position to be a real competitor in generative artificial intelligence. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2024

With a few bumps along the way, this season tells the story of Desmond’s ascent from a low status soldier to, essentially pulling the strings of the entire empire. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 22 Dec. 2024

But these Titans aren't playing like a team that is poised for a rocketship ascent. —Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Hiking trails in the Lake District vary from gentle walks around the pin-drop lakes to challenging ascents of peaks like Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 16 Dec. 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