Ascent Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of ASCENT

[count]

1

:

the act or process of ascending: such as

a

:

the act or process of rising, moving, or climbing up

— usually singular

• Fifty years ago, he made the first successful ascent of the mountain. [=he was the first person to climb the mountain]
• The climbers completed their ascent to the mountain on a rainy morning in April.
• The old elevator began its slow ascent to the top floor.
• The plane made a steep ascent to 30,000 feet.

— opposite descent

b

:

the act or process of moving to a higher or more powerful position

— usually singular

• the ascent and decline [=the rise and fall] of the world's great civilizations
• the new government's gradual/rapid ascent to power
• She began her ascent up the corporate ladder as a secretary. [=she started working as a secretary and gradually improved her career in business]

2

:

a way of going up something

:

an upward slope, path, etc.

• They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill.