descent

noun

de·​scent di-ˈsent How to pronounce descent (audio)
1
a
: derivation from an ancestor : birth, lineage
of French descent
patrilineal descent
b
: transmission or devolution of an estate (see estate entry 1 sense 4b) by inheritance usually in the descending line
c
: the fact or process of originating from an ancestral stock
the descent of modern humans and chimpanzees from a common ancestor
d
: the shaping or development in nature and character by transmission from a source : derivation
… could trace a faint but sure descent from Roman law.R. W. Southern
2
: the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower level, rank, or state
begin our descent down the mountain
3
: a step downward in a scale of gradation
specifically : one generation in an ancestral line or genealogical scale
His pedigree shows eleven descents.
4
a
: an inclination downward : slope
a nearly perpendicular descent
b
: a way (such as a downgrade or stairway) that descends or leads downward
c
obsolete : the lowest part
from the extremest upward of thy head to the descent and dust below thy footShakespeare
5
a
: attack, invasion
descent of the locusts
b
: a sudden disconcerting appearance (as for a visit)
unprepared for the descent of her in-laws
6
: a downward step (as in station or value) : decline
the descent of the family into poverty

Examples of descent in a Sentence

The book describes his descent into a deep depression after the death of his wife. her slow descent to a life of addiction The only path that goes down to the river is a rather steep descent, so be careful.
Recent Examples on the Web Flesch insisted during the hearing that Hillcrest has many members of Latino descent, according to the lawsuit. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Laframboise, a women of Odawa and French-Canadian descent born in 1780, left a legacy of leadership on the island during the first half of the 19th century and caring for the poor, according to historical accounts. Detroit Free Press, 13 Mar. 2024 Though several of the actors are either from China or of Chinese descent, the shift in geographic orientation will be extreme to anyone who’s read the books. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 In his portrayal of the Reggae legend, British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir, who is of Trinidadian descent, was able to capture Marley’s essence, from his free-spirited dance steps to his mannerisms and accent. Melissa Noel, Essence, 9 Mar. 2024 Saikia is Indian American, while Haines is of English and Italian descent. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 Weighed down by sandbags and pipes, the Titan began its two-and-a-half-hour descent to the storied shipwreck. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 During its descent toward an area near the lunar south pole, Odysseus sent mission control an image of itself. David W. Brown, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Notably, the state is home to a sizable refugee population, particularly of Hmong descent. Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'descent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French descente, from Anglo-French descendre — see descend

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of descent was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near descent

Cite this Entry

“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

descent

noun
de·​scent di-ˈsent How to pronounce descent (audio)
1
: one's line of ancestors : birth, lineage
2
: the act or process of descending
3
: a downward step (as in station or value) : decline
4
a
: a downward slant : slope
b
: a descending way (as a stairway)
5
: a sudden raid or assault

Medical Definition

descent

noun
de·​scent di-ˈsent How to pronounce descent (audio)
1
: the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower location
descent of the testes into the scrotum
2
a
: derivation from an ancestor
b
: the fact or process of originating by generation from an ancestral stock (as a species or genus)
3
: a former method of distillation in which the material was heated in a vessel having its outlet underneath so that the vapors produced were forced to descend

Legal Definition

descent

noun
de·​scent
: transmission or devolution of the estate of a person who has died without a valid will compare distribution

More from Merriam-Webster on descent

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