'ascent' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'ascensus' (past participle of 'ascendere'), where the root 'ad-' (later assimilated) meant 'toward' and 'scandere' meant 'to climb.'

'ascent' passed into Middle English from Anglo-French/Old French (Old French 'ascente' or Anglo-French 'ascent'), derived from Latin 'ascensus'; the form and meaning stabilized in Middle English as 'ascent' and continued into modern English.

Initially, it meant 'the act of climbing or rising'; over time the basic sense remained but expanded to include figurative rises (status, success, intensity).