ascend

 
Pronunciation: /əˈsɛnd/

verb

  • 1 [with object] go up or climb: she ascended the stairs [no object]: we had ascended 3,000 ft
  • climb to the summit of (a mountain or hill): the first traveller to ascend the mountain
  • (of a fish or boat) move upstream along (a river): salmon ascend rivers from the sea to spawn
  • 2 [no object] rise or move up through the air: the lift ascended from his sight
  • (of a road or flight of steps) slope or lead up: the road ascends to the loch (as adjective ascending) a gently ascending forest track
  • move up to a higher social or professional rank: some executives ascend to top-level positions
  • (ascend to/into heaven) (of a spiritual being or soul) go to heaven: the Prophet ascended to heaven (as adjective ascended) the risen and ascended Christ
  • (of a voice or sound) rise in pitch: Carolyn’s voice had ascended into high-pitched giggles

Phrases

ascend the throne

become king or queen.

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin ascendere, from ad- 'to' + scandere 'to climb'