# descent

/dɪˈsɛnt/ (US) · /dɪsˈɛnt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/descent
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. moving downwards

noun · CEFR B2

the act of moving from a higher place to a lower one.

For teachers: the act or process of moving downwards from a higher altitude or position.

- The plane began its final descent into the airport.
- The pilot requested a gradual descent to avoid the turbulence reported at lower altitudes by previous flights.

### 2. a way down

noun · CEFR B2

a path, road, or slope that goes down.

For teachers: a downward slope, incline, or a physical route leading to a lower level.

- The descent from the mountain top was steep and rocky.
- The cyclists had to check their brakes frequently during the long, winding descent into the valley below.

### 3. family origins

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

your family background or where your ancestors came from.

For teachers: the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality; lineage.

- She is of Italian descent and speaks the language fluently.
- The historian traced the family's descent back to the seventeenth century, uncovering several notable figures in the process.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 4. a decline in status

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a change to a worse or lower condition.

For teachers: a metaphorical movement to a lower state, quality, or condition.

- The book describes the king's descent into madness.
- The documentary chronicles the city's slow descent from an industrial powerhouse to a struggling urban centre.

### 5. a sudden arrival

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

a sudden visit or attack by a group of people.

For teachers: a sudden or violent attack, invasion, or unexpected visit.

- The quiet village was not prepared for the descent of thousands of tourists.
- The sudden descent of the enemy troops upon the coastal fort caught the garrison entirely by surprise.

## Examples

- The plane began its final descent toward the airport.
- The hikers found the descent from the mountain peak much harder on their knees than the climb up.
- The historical documents provided clear evidence of her royal descent, tracing her family tree back to the sixteenth-century monarchs of Western Europe.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.