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 Words From

• reas·cent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ascent¹

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

Example Sentences

Within 10 minutes - before we’d really begun our ascent - I suddenly had to lie down.

From BBC

It would take several years of quiet, painstaking work, and it would begin with Zuckerman’s ascent.

From Salon

But with some members of his own party resistant to his surprise ascent to the top in 2016, he struggled with other aims.

From BBC

The awards marked her continued ascent, after being named one of the BBC's Sounds of 2024 - but she made sure to honour her inspirations.

From BBC

His ascent to the highest office in the US while facing dozens of criminal charges has plunged the country into uncharted territory.

From BBC

Related Words

• ascendance
• ascension
• climb

Ascent Vs. Assent

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.

Quiz yourself on ascent vs. assent!

Should ascent or assent be used in the following sentence?

The balloon’s _____ into the air was slowed by all the weight attached to it.