Descent Meaning
/dɪˈsɛnt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounAn instance of descending; act of coming down.
nounA way down.
Sentence Examples
We're going to begin the descent for Honolulu.
We are beginning our descent.
The plane began its descent to Heathrow.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The steep ____ down the mountain required careful footing and ropes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We're going to begin the ____ for Honolulu.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English and Anglo-Norman descente, from Anglo-Norman descendre (“to descend”); see descend. Compare ascent, ascend. Doublet of desant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The descent continues, still more steeply to Dundee (Tay Bridge), and approaching from the bridge itself this sharp descent gives the curious appearance that the station is below the level of the firth."
— 1947 January and February, O. S. Nock, “"The Aberdonian" in Wartime”, in Railway Magazine, page 7:
"To the north the towering scree-strewn slopes of Saddleback begin to draw nearer as we start the abrupt descent towards Keswick."
— 1961 October, 'Voyageur', “The Cockermouth, Keswick & Penrith Railway”, in Trains Illustrated, page 601:
"The next one surrendered his bike, only for that, too, to give him a second flat as he started the descent."
— 2012 July 15, Richard Williams, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track, Guardian Unlimited:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The steep ____ down the mountain required careful footing and ropes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
We're going to begin the ____ for Honolulu.