ascent

American  

[uh-sent] / əˈsɛnt /

noun

1. an act of ascending; upward movement; a rising movement.

   the ascent of a balloon.

2. movement upward from a lower to a higher state, degree, grade, or status; advancement.

   His ascent to the governorship came after a long political career.

3. the act of climbing or traveling up.

   Three climbers attempted the ascent of Mount Rainier.

4. the way or means of ascending; upward slope; acclivity.

5. a movement or return toward a source or beginning.

6. the degree of inclination; gradient.

   a steep ascent.

---

ascent British  

/ əˈsɛnt /

noun

1. the act of ascending; climb or upward movement

   the ascent of hot gases

2. an upward slope; incline or gradient

3. movement back through time, as in tracing of earlier generations (esp in the phrase line of ascent )

---

Usage

What's the difference between ascent and assent? Ascent is a noun that means the act of moving upward (ascending), an upward movement, or upward movement in general. Assent can be a noun meaning agreement, as in I give my assent, or a verb meaning to agree or give in, as in I assent to your terms. The two words are pronounced exactly the same. Perhaps the best way to remember the difference between the two is to think about what related words mean and how they’re spelled. Words related to ascent involve movement and are spelled with sc, including ascend, ascension, descent, descend, and transcend. Words related to assent involve agreement or disagreement and end with -sent, including consent and dissent. Here’s an example of ascent and assent used correctly in a sentence. Example: I asked him if he really wanted to climb the mountain, he gave his assent, and we began our ascent. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between ascent and assent.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• reascent
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ascent

1590–1600; derivative of ascend, on the model of descent

Explanation

If you are moving in an upward direction, that's an ascent, like your quick ascent from new group member last year to president this year. An ascent, which comes from the Latin word ascendere, meaning "to climb up," is just that: a climb. An ascent can be physical, like an elevator's journey to the top floor, an airplane's upward motion, or your hike up a mountain. Ascent can also be a figurative climb, like a restaurant's dishwasher's whose hard work made his ascent to executive chef possible.

Example Sentences

That could be a signal to the committee that Marvell’s recent ascent isn’t just a flash in the pan.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

The Knicks’ turnaround is attributed to Dolan ceding control and hiring Leon Rose as president in 2020, leading to the team’s steady ascent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Both his loyal supporters and well-financed critics have a hard time explaining Becerra’s rapid ascent, with theories ranging from outright luck to a nefarious social media push.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

Most climbers attempt the ascent with at least one Nepali guide, who do not require permits.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

"The canvas didn't hold. I think it ripped early in the ascent."

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• ascendance
• ascension
• climb