ascender

noun

as·​cend·​er ə-ˈsen-dər How to pronounce ascender (audio)
ˈa-ˌsen-
1
: the part of a lowercase letter (such as b) that rises above the main body of the letter
also : a letter that has such a part
2
: a device used for climbing rope that slides freely in one direction and grips the rope when pulled in the opposite direction

Examples of ascender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The collection of rocks launched from the lunar surface in the spacecraft’s ascender on June 3, then united with the orbiter days later. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2024 Some examples of instances are weight (ultra-thin to black), width (extended to condensed), optical size (text vs. display), counter width, roughness, slant, ascender height, and more. PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024 An ascender then lifted them off the lunar surface and transferred them in lunar orbit to a re-entry vehicle, which then traveled back to Earth after separating from its lunar orbiter. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 25 June 2024 The China National Space Administration said the spacecraft withstood a high temperature test on the lunar surface, and acquired the samples using both drilling and surface collection before stowing them in a container inside the ascender of the probe as planned. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for ascender 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascender was circa 1867

Dictionary Entries Near ascender

Cite this Entry

“Ascender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascender. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!