as·cent 
/əˈsɛnt/ noun
plural as·cents /əˈsɛnt/ noun [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.
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]
▪ They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill.
