descent
noun
de·scent di-ˈsent 
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
R. W. Southern2
: 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 foot Shakespeare
Shakespeare5
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
Synonyms
- dip
- dive
- down
- drop
- fall
- nosedive
- plunge
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Now the overwhelming majority of people of European descent can chug milk into their golden years. Haley Weiss, The Atlantic, 27 July 2022 Then, a firestorm started with two of the least likely combatants: Igor Larionov and Peter Forsberg, men of European descent more comfortable letting their handiwork show with exquisite passes, not punches. Detroit Free Press, 26 June 2022 While a majority of Australians are of European descent, the country has a fast-growing Asian population. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 Buffalo police declined to comment on the document that focuses on racist, anti-immigrant and antisemitic beliefs, including a desire to drive all those not of European descent from the U.S. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 15 May 2022 Buffalo police declined to comment on the document, circulated widely online, that purports to outline the attacker’s racist, anti-immigrant and antisemitic beliefs, including a desire to drive all people not of European descent from the U.S. Carolyn Thompson, Michael Balsamo And Dave Collins, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2022 Nigel Quartey, 40, an executive assistant who lives in Baltimore, has roots in Ghana and the Caribbean, and his wife’s family is of Eastern European Jewish descent. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 The authors note a number of limitations to their study, including that most of those participating were white adults of European descent who reported their own alcohol intake. Bloomberg.com, 3 Mar. 2022 Black people were legally allowed to vote after the passage of the 15th Amendment, but not Native Americans or people of Asian descent. AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Haley Weiss, The Atlantic, 27 July 2022 Then, a firestorm started with two of the least likely combatants: Igor Larionov and Peter Forsberg, men of European descent more comfortable letting their handiwork show with exquisite passes, not punches. Detroit Free Press, 26 June 2022 While a majority of Australians are of European descent, the country has a fast-growing Asian population. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 22 June 2022 Buffalo police declined to comment on the document that focuses on racist, anti-immigrant and antisemitic beliefs, including a desire to drive all those not of European descent from the U.S. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 15 May 2022 Buffalo police declined to comment on the document, circulated widely online, that purports to outline the attacker’s racist, anti-immigrant and antisemitic beliefs, including a desire to drive all people not of European descent from the U.S. Carolyn Thompson, Michael Balsamo And Dave Collins, Anchorage Daily News, 15 May 2022 Nigel Quartey, 40, an executive assistant who lives in Baltimore, has roots in Ghana and the Caribbean, and his wife’s family is of Eastern European Jewish descent. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022 The authors note a number of limitations to their study, including that most of those participating were white adults of European descent who reported their own alcohol intake. Bloomberg.com, 3 Mar. 2022 Black people were legally allowed to vote after the passage of the 15th Amendment, but not Native Americans or people of Asian descent. AZCentral.com, 23 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing descent
Kids Definition
descent
noun
de·scent di-ˈsent
1
: an act of coming or going down in location or condition
The plane began its descent.
2
: a downward slope
a steep descent
3
: a person's ancestors
She is of Korean descent.
Medical Definition
descent
noun
de·scent di-ˈsent
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
descents
noun
1
as in dips
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude the airplane began its gradual descent to the landing field Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- dips
- downs
- drops
- dives
- falls
- plunges
- nosedives
- comedowns
- declines
- downgrades
- downfalls
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ascents
- climbs
- risings
- upturns
- upswings
- rises
- advances
- progressions
- improvements
- progresses
- headways
- soarings
- betterments
2
as in degradations
a change to a lower state or level the nation's rapid descent into anarchy after the revolution Synonyms & Similar Words
- degradations
- deteriorations
- declinations
- falls
- declines
- degenerations
- devolutions
- degeneracies
- decadences
- downfalls
- destructions
- ebbs
- dips
- declensions
- dissolutions
- eclipses
- downgrades
- decompositions
- reductions
- decreases
- decays
- dark ages
- breakups
- nadirs
- sunsets
- debasements
- drops
- losses
- dégringolades
- disintegrations
- deflations
- downturns
- depreciations
- demolitions
- diminutions
- ruins
- slumps
- abasements
- downtrends
- havoc
- falloffs
- drop-offs
- shrinkages
- diminishments
- ruinations
- slips
- decimations
- sags
- demolishments
- desolations
- downslides
- abatements
- decrements
- de-escalations
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ascents
- developments
- rises
- evolutions
- growths
- advancements
- upswings
- gains
- restorations
- increases
- renewals
- additions
- increments
- enhancements
- flowerings
- supplements
- accruals
- accretions
- augmentations
- raises
- addenda
- boosts
- revitalizations
- addendums
3
as in demises
a loss of status for throwing the game, the ballplayer underwent a huge descent in the eyes of the fans Synonyms & Similar Words
- demises
- downs
- downfalls
- reversals
- falls
- setbacks
- comedowns
- breakdowns
- declines
- flameouts
- humiliations
- crashes
- disappointments
- burnouts
- ruins
- dégringolades
- collapses
- undoings
- defeats
- meltdowns
- nadirs
- bottoms
- abasements
- disgraces
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ascents
- ups
- rises
- advances
- exaltations
- progresses
- headways
- aggrandizements
- flowers
- primes
- heydays
4
as in invasions
a sudden attack on and entrance into hostile territory the lightning descent of the invading army on that unsuspecting border town Synonyms & Similar Words
- invasions
- incursions
- raids
- forays
- inroads
- irruptions
- onslaughts
- assaults
- sorties
- sieges
- storms
- sallies
- strikes
- rushes
- onsets
- aggressions
- bombardments
- ambuscades
- offenses
- ambushes
- offensives
- counterattacks
- plunders
- pillages
- air raids
- offences
- surprises
- traps
- counter-attacks
- blitzkriegs
- counteroffensives
- blitzes
- counterstrikes
- coups de main
- charges
- surprizes
- counteraggressions
- counter-strikes
- counterassaults
- counter-assaults
- counter-aggressions
5
as in attacks
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the descent of the voracious locusts on the wheat fields Synonyms & Similar Words
- attacks
- raids
- onslaughts
- assaults
- offenses
- offensives
- attempts
- strikes
- aggressions
- onsets
- bombardments
- rushes
- incursions
- counterattacks
- invasions
- blitzes
- ambushes
- blitzkriegs
- offences
- ambuscades
- bombings
- sorties
- barrages
- charges
- forays
- sallies
- sieges
- coups de main
- breakthroughs
- counter-attacks
- envelopments
- counteroffensives
- counterstrikes
- volleys
- air raids
- ravages
- counteraggressions
- storms
- counter-strikes
- counterassaults
- cannonades
- sacks
- counter-assaults
- pillages
- counter-aggressions
- fusillades
- salvos
- whammies
- salvoes
- hails
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- defenses
- resistances
- guards
- oppositions
- shields
- securities
- protections
- defensives
- shelters
6
as in ancestries
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a person of Finnish descent Synonyms & Similar Words
- ancestries
- lineages
- genealogies
- pedigrees
- families
- extractions
- origins
- blood
- births
- successions
- strains
- bloodlines
- stocks
- races
- breedings
- parentages
- relatives
- lines
- family trees
- relations
- kindreds
- houses
- heredities
- kins
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- issues
- seeds
- progenies
- offspring
- posterities
- seed
- children
- successors
- sons
- heirs
- offsprings
- inheritors
7
as in downhills
a downward slope on bicycle tours the ascents always seem to outnumber the descents Synonyms & Similar Words
- downhills
- falls
- dips
- hangings
- hangs
- declivities
- declines
- downgrades
- hollows
- basins
- depressions
- declensions
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ascents
- upgrades
- hills
- rises
- uphills
- gradients
- acclivities
- inclines
- grades
- pitches
- inclinations
- uprises
- glacis
- rakes
- tilts
- leans