əˈsenchən also aˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English ascencioun, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French ascension ascension of Jesus into heaven, from Late Latin ascension-, ascensio, from Latin, ascent, from ascensus (past participle of ascendere to ascend) + -ion, -io -ion
1. : the act or process of ascending
ballon ascension
thin ascensions of smoke from the breached roof — Ambrose Bierce
2.
a. often capitalized : the ascending of Jesus to heaven on the 40th day after his resurrection
b. usually capitalized : ascension day
3. archaic : distillation , evaporation