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

It won’t be news to most shoppers that beef prices have been on a long-term ascent.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We immediately stop our ascent, and our momentum leaves us suspended in the sky for a moment.

Read more on Literature

People familiar with the matter say his ascent to that position without passing a standard FBI background check was unprecedented.

Read more on Salon

For his exceptionally rapid ascent, Mr. Hoyos credits Scipio’s ready access to funds as well as “self-confidence—not far off arrogance—and impatience with inconvenient convention.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While that spectacular ascent has some market watchers warning that stocks are due for a a meaningful correction, downturns are part of a healthy bull market.

Read more on Barron's

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.