ascension

ascension — noun

1. the act of reaching a more powerful, respected, or successful position

1.nounC2
Definition

the act of reaching a more powerful, respected, or successful position

Example

The general's ascension to power changed the country's foreign policy.

ascension to power

Her ascension to chief editor came after ten years at the paper.

ascension to + job title

Common collocations
  • ascension to power
  • ascension to the throne
  • rapid ascension
  • political ascension
Synonyms
  • rise

    broader and much more common, with less formal tone

  • advancement

    often stresses progress in a job or career

  • promotion

    usually means an official move to a higher job

  • elevation

    formal and often used for rank, dignity, or status

Antonyms
  • decline

    suggests losing power, importance, or success

  • fall

    can describe a sudden loss of position or influence

Grammar Patterns

the ascension of somebody

ascension to power

ascension to the throne

Usage Note

Usually followed by to when naming the new rank, office, or seat of power. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about actual upward movement in space rather than rising in status.

Common Mistakes

Her ascension in the mountain impressed the guides.
Her ascent up the mountain impressed the guides.
ascension in sense 1 is about higher rank or success, not physical climbing.

2. the action of going higher by climbing, lifting, or moving upward

2.nounC2
Definition

the action of going higher by climbing, lifting, or moving upward

Example

The hikers began their ascension before sunrise to avoid the heat.

formal use for climbing

A slow ascension carried the balloon above the orange trees.

subject: balloon ascension

Common collocations
  • steady ascension
  • rapid ascension
  • ascension of a balloon
  • ascension of a slope
Synonyms
  • ascent

    the usual word for climbing or going upward

  • climb

    more everyday and often suggests effort with the body

  • rise

    broadest choice for moving higher

  • lift

    often focuses on upward motion caused by force or air

Antonyms
  • descent

    the movement downward from a higher place

  • drop

    suggests a more sudden downward movement

Grammar Patterns

the ascension of something

ascension up a slope

during the ascension

Usage Note

Common with subjects such as climbers, balloons, aircraft, or other things that move upward. Distinguish from sense 1, which focuses on rank or success rather than physical direction.

Common Mistakes

The CEO's ascension up the company ladder was quick.
The CEO's ascension to the top of the company was quick.
this sense uses upward movement literally; figurative career rise belongs to sense 1.

3. the going of Jesus from earth into heaven after he returned to life

3.nounC2
Definition

the going of Jesus from earth into heaven after he returned to life

Example

The church choir practiced hymns for the Ascension service on Thursday.

the Ascension

A gold window in the chapel shows Christ's Ascension above the disciples.

Christ's Ascension

Common collocations
  • Ascension Day
  • Ascension service
  • feast of the Ascension
  • Christ's Ascension
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

the Ascension

Christ's Ascension

celebrate the Ascension

Usage Note

Often written with a capital A when it refers to the Christian event or feast day. Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense is specific to Jesus and Christian teaching.

Common Mistakes

The book describes Elijah's ascension as the Ascension.
The book describes Elijah going up to heaven, but the Ascension usually refers to Jesus.
with a capital A, this term normally names the Christian event involving Jesus.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For sense 1, ascension is a formal word for moving into a higher position of power, rank, or success. Rise is much broader and fits both formal and everyday situations, so it is the usual choice in general writing. Promotion is narrower: it usually means an official move to a better job or rank inside an organization. Advancement often stresses steady progress in a career rather than one dramatic step upward. A newspaper might write about a leader's ascension to power, while an office worker is more likely to get a promotion. Over several years, that same worker may describe their career advancement rather than a sudden rise.

ascension ↗rise ↗promotion ↗advancement ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • the ascension of
  • ascension to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Ascension comes from Latin through French and is linked to the idea of climbing or going up. In English, it first kept the basic meaning of upward movement and later became common in religious use for Jesus going up to heaven, as well as in formal use for reaching a higher position.