DESCENT

[noun]The plane began (to make) its final descent (= journey down) into the airport. [U]There is a steep descent (= way down, such as a path) down the hillside/mountain to the village below. [C](figurative) Descent can also be used to refer to a change in someone's behaviour, or in a situation, from good to bad.His descent into crime was rapid.The economy's descent into recession began several months ago.