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
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
Continuing his ascent as one of the U.K.’s most in-demand electronic acts, Barry Can’t Swim has returned with a intense new single.
—
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025
During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
These Chinese counter-space capabilities included direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, as well as co-orbital satellites, which are placed into Earth's orbit and later maneuvered to approach and attack a target satellite through destructive and non-destructive ways.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
That’s generally a response to the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, widely attributed to unfettered tree trade and and China’s ascent as a manufacturing power.
—Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
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Sophie Williams, Billboard, 11 Mar. 2025
During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
These Chinese counter-space capabilities included direct ascent anti-satellite missiles, as well as co-orbital satellites, which are placed into Earth's orbit and later maneuvered to approach and attack a target satellite through destructive and non-destructive ways.
—Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
That’s generally a response to the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs, widely attributed to unfettered tree trade and and China’s ascent as a manufacturing power.
—Paul Wiseman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascent
Articles Related to ascent
Cite this Entry
“Ascent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascent. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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