gerund / present participle
It describes someone or something moving upward from a lower place to a higher one, especially along steps or a slope.
The hot-air balloon is ascending quickly.
Ascending the stairs is tiring.
American English
How to pronounce ascending
verb · adjectiveB2
uhSEHNdihng
/əˈsɛn.dɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of ascend
Ascending is formal for upward movement; ascending order is a standard term for values arranged from low to high.
It describes someone or something moving upward from a lower place to a higher one, especially along steps or a slope.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
gerund / present participle
It describes someone reaching a higher position, rank, or title, especially a position of power.
The prince is ascending to the throne after his father's death.
The party is ascending to power after the election.
adjective
It describes something that is increasing or moving from a lower level or value to a higher one.
The graph shows an ascending trend in monthly sales.
The numbers are listed in ascending order.
Useful expressions
to become a king or queen
The princess ascended to the throne after her father's death.
to become a leader or gain control
The party ascended to power after the election.