verb
Uncommon
ascend
uh-SEHND
Ascend (verb) means to move or climb upward. Example: “The hikers ascended the steep trail toward the summit.”
verb
1
To move or climb upward.
"The hikers ascended the steep trail toward the summit."
"The balloon slowly ascended into the sky."
2
To rise to a higher position, rank, or throne.
"She ascended to the role of CEO within five years."
"The prince ascended to the throne after his father's death."
How to use ascend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go up — physically, or in status, rank, or power.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with "accede," which means to agree or to formally take on a role, despite the shared "ad-" prefix.
Common pairings
ascend to the throne
ascend a mountain
ascend the ranks
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- ascends
- Past tense
- ascended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hikers _____ the steep trail toward the summit.
Etymology
From Latin ascendere, "to climb up," built from ad- ("to") plus scandere ("to climb") — the same root gives us "scan" and "descend."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ascend” mean?
The word “ascend” means to move or climb upward. In plain terms, to go up — physically, or in status, rank, or power.
How do you pronounce “ascend”?
“Ascend” is pronounced uh-SEHND (/əˈsɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ascend” in a sentence?
Here is “ascend” used in a sentence: “The hikers ascended the steep trail toward the summit.”
What is the opposite of “ascend”?
The opposite of “ascend” — its antonyms — is descend.
What part of speech is “ascend”?
“Ascend” is a verb.
Where does the word “ascend” come from?
The word “ascend” comes from Latin. From Latin ascendere, "to climb up," built from ad- ("to") plus scandere ("to climb") — the same root gives us "scan" and "descend.".
Is “ascend” a common word?
“Ascend” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ascend” have?
“Ascend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move or climb upward.
