ascension

¹ American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending; ascent.

2. the Ascension, the bodily ascending of Christ from earth to heaven.

3. (initial capital letter) Ascension Day.

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Ascension ² American  

[uh-sen-shuhn] / əˈsɛn ʃən /

noun

1. a British island in the S Atlantic Ocean: constituent part of St. Helena. 34 sq. mi. (88 sq. km).

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ascension ¹ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. the act of ascending

2. astronomy the rising of a star above the horizon

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Ascension ² British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. New Testament the passing of Jesus Christ from earth into heaven (Acts 1:9)

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Ascension ³ British  

/ əˈsɛnʃən /

noun

1. an island in the S Atlantic, northwest of St Helena: uninhabited until claimed by Britain in 1815. Pop: 884 (2010 est). Area: 88 sq km (34 sq miles)

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Other Word Forms

• ascensional adjective

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”; ascend ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

It was also a century that heralded cinema’s ascension as the dominant popular art form worldwide.

From Los Angeles Times

But, I reason, if tinned fish has enjoyed its ascension into hot-girl lore, why shouldn’t the humble melt have its own renaissance?

From Salon

New Englanders threw Andros into jail, sent him back to England and had the pleasure of proclaiming days of thanksgiving for the ascension of William and Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal

On the college scene, however, Vitello’s ascension has represented something else: validation.

From The Wall Street Journal

His son, C. Douglas Dillon, sealed the family’s ascension by serving as Treasury secretary under President John F. Kennedy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ascent