ascent

[uh-sent]

noun

1. an act of ascending; 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

/ 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 )

Other Word Forms

• reascent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascent¹

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

Example Sentences

The terrain was gradual in its ascent and once I reached Quail Valley and Middle Ranch, the recently graded road was fast hardpack that allowed for cranking away the miles.

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His return to Ireland in 1996, to work under fellow New Zealander Murray Kidd, who had coached at Garryowen, marked the beginning of his coaching ascent.

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Tung has been tight-lipped about his ascent to the country’s busiest circuit.

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Bordalas' own story mirrors those of his teams: a tale of survival, graft and improbable ascent.

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But though “Lurker” could certainly push the envelope further, Matthew’s ascent, fall from grace and gradual climb back up wouldn’t feel as realistic as it needs to for the film to land its sickly ending.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• ascendance www.thesaurus.com
• ascension 
• climb 

When To Use

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.