1
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
5
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
Isabella, also of Brazilian descent, doesn’t feel the restlessness that plagues Rudy, nor Haley’s apprehensions about how a successful existence should unfold.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
In 1997, a Detroit man of Egyptian descent with brown skin and curly hair, Mostafa Hefny, filed a lawsuit against the Office of Management and Budget for classifying Egyptian Americans like him as white.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
His mother is of Greek descent Galitzine’s mother is of Greek descent, and he's discussed his pride in his heritage in interviews.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Though representation has lagged for Arab stand-up comedians, Zayid notes that many famous American comedy actors were of Arab descent: Marlo Thomas, her father Danny Thomas, Victor E. Tayback, and Tony Shalhoub.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Analysts estimate that half of the population is of Palestinian descent.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The crew members likely dumped the Tyger’s heavy cannons from the boat to slow her descent.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The crash took place around 40 kilometers from the end of the stage as the riders came around a right turn on a descent, with fellow Grand Tour winners Primož Roglič andRemco Evenepoel also involved.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
On Monday, after Axios surfaced the S.E.C. filings, the descent accelerated, and the stock plunged more than twenty per cent.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 6 Apr. 2024
In 1997, a Detroit man of Egyptian descent with brown skin and curly hair, Mostafa Hefny, filed a lawsuit against the Office of Management and Budget for classifying Egyptian Americans like him as white.
—Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024
His mother is of Greek descent Galitzine’s mother is of Greek descent, and he's discussed his pride in his heritage in interviews.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Though representation has lagged for Arab stand-up comedians, Zayid notes that many famous American comedy actors were of Arab descent: Marlo Thomas, her father Danny Thomas, Victor E. Tayback, and Tony Shalhoub.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Analysts estimate that half of the population is of Palestinian descent.
—Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The crew members likely dumped the Tyger’s heavy cannons from the boat to slow her descent.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024
The crash took place around 40 kilometers from the end of the stage as the riders came around a right turn on a descent, with fellow Grand Tour winners Primož Roglič andRemco Evenepoel also involved.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
On Monday, after Axios surfaced the S.E.C. filings, the descent accelerated, and the stock plunged more than twenty per cent.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near descent
Cite this Entry
“Descent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descent. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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
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