/ əˈsent; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C , usually sing. ] the act of climbing or moving up; an upward journey :
the first ascent of Mount Everest
The cart began its gradual ascent up the hill.
The rocket steepened its ascent.
OPP descent
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] an upward path or slope :
At the other side of the valley was a steep ascent to the top of the hill.
OPP descent
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) the process of moving forward to a better position or of making progress :
man's ascent to civilization
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from ascend , on the pattern of the pair of descend , descent .