ascension
noun
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ascension
1 American
[uh-sen-shuhn]
/ əˈsɛn ʃən /
noun
-
the Ascension, the bodily ascending of Christ from earth to heaven.
-
(initial capital letter) Ascension Day.
Ascension
2
American
[uh-sen-shuhn]
/ əˈsɛn ʃən /
noun
ascension
1
British
/ əˈsɛnʃən /
noun
-
the act of ascending
-
astronomy the rising of a star above the horizon
Ascension
2
British
/ əˈsɛnʃən /
noun
Ascension
3
British
/ əˈsɛnʃən /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ascension
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English ascencioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin ascēnsiōn-, stem of ascēnsiō, from ascēns(us) “climbed up” (past participle of ascendere “to climb up”; see ascend) + -iō -ion
Explanation
The word ascension describes the act of rising up through the air. When a plane takes off, it is in ascension, or rising up in the sky. The noun ascension derives from the Latin word ascendere, meaning "to mound, ascend, go up." You may have observed the ascension, or rising, of a star above the horizon with your telescope. Watching the ascension of a space shuttle up into the earth's atmosphere can be a thrilling experience. The ascension of a hot air balloon up into the sky can be a beautiful sight on a summer's evening.
Vocabulary lists containing ascension
From Ascension to Zenith: Astronomy and Stargazing Terms
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The Princess Bride
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Vocabulary from arguments about jobs for teenagers
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ternus’ ascension to CEO, from his role as senior vice president of hardware engineering, is a reminder that Apple emphasizes products above all else.
From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026
The most remarkable part of Miller’s improbable ascension is how far off anyone’s radar he once was.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026
Bell's ascension was accelerated by England dropping seamer Cross last summer.
From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026
I mean, one of the first controversies that surfaced after Trump’s initial ascension in 2016 centered around a photo shoot starring Kathy Griffin.
From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026
There was nothing of the bird in this steady ascension.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
