ascending

American  

[uh-sen-ding] / əˈsɛn dɪŋ /

adjective

1. moving upward; rising.

2. Botany. growing or directed upward, especially obliquely or in a curve from the base.

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ascending British  

/ əˈsɛndɪŋ /

adjective

1. moving upwards; rising

2. botany sloping or curving upwards

   the ascending stem of a vine

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Other Word Forms

• ascendingly adverb
• subascending adjective

Etymology

Origin of ascending

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at ascend, -ing ²

Explanation

If something is ascending, it's rising or moving up. At a hot air balloon race, you'll see dozens of ascending balloons. An ascending road appears to rise in front of you as it curves up over a hill, and an ascending bird flies up into the sky. To ascend is to rise, and the adjective ascending describes a rising or growing thing. You can also use it figuratively: "She's an ascending queen, rising to the throne after the death of her father." In Latin, ascendere, "to climb up," and also "to rise" or "to reach."

Example Sentences

A bullish ascending triangle pattern has taken shape.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

However, the 2013 US Open champion admits ascending to the top of a bunched leaderboard is a more daunting prospect than trying to catch one player.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

And besides that, with their hard-fought Final Four victories Friday over Texas and Connecticut, respectively, barometers for other programs that dream of ascending to such elite heights.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Was he ranking that in ascending order of importance?

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

“Hey, Mr. Patterson,” I said, ascending the steps.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

Related Words

• climbing
• growing
• increasing
• soaring
• spiraling
• surging