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

Longoria's arrival at the major league level coincided with the Rays' ascent from an American League East doormat to a team that regularly participated in the postseason. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Otherwise, our latest global economic ascent marks not the beginning of a new era but the high watermark of an unsustainable model. —Aref Aziz, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

Her ascent to the top of Nascar broadcasts came with the SPEED Channel, which shortly thereafter became Fox Sports 1 and 2. —Joseph Wolkin, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

In addition to the U.S. mainstay leagues, the ascent of women’s sports, youth sports and soccer has attracted advertisers, too. —Lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ascent

• accent
• advent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

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