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

• dip
• dive
• down
• drop
• fall
• nosedive
• plunge

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

Harris is the first Black woman and first woman of South Asian descent to be a major party's presidential nominee. —Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

And there’s the historical significance of the candidates themselves: Harris, 60, would be the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as U.S. President. —Time Staff, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024

The difference in six-year graduation rates between historically underrepresented students of Latino, Black, American Indian and Alaska Native descent and students of other backgrounds was about 13 percentage points in 2023-24, compared with 11.6 points in 2014-15. —Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

The vice president called out the Puerto Rican community in Pennsylvania, which is home to more than 400,000 people born in Puerto Rico or of Puerto Rican descent. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024

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

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