Logo
dictionary thesaurus

descend

verb
de·​scend | \ di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio) , dē-\
descended; descending; descends

Definition of descend

intransitive verb

1 : to pass from a higher place or level to a lower one descended from the platform
2 : to pass in discussion from what is logically prior or more comprehensive descends from the general to the specific
3a : to originate or come from an ancestral stock or source : derive descends from an old merchant family
b : to pass by inheritance a desk that has descended in the family
c : to pass by transmission songs descended from old ballads
4a : to incline, lead, or extend downward the road descends to the river
b physiology : to conduct nerve impulses away from the brain … lesions that interrupt the descending pathways from the cortex or brain stem produce weakness in voluntary movements …— Claude Ghez and John Krakauer
5a : to swoop or pounce down (as in a sudden attack) a hawk descending upon its prey
b : to appear suddenly and often disconcertingly as if from above reporters descended on the candidate
6 : to proceed in a sequence or gradation from higher to lower or from more remote to nearer or more recent Their scores were listed in descending order.
7a : to lower oneself in status or dignity : stoop
b : to worsen and sink in condition or estimation He descended into a deep depression. descended to poverty descend into chaos
c : to pass from higher to lower musical notes The harmony descends chromatically.

transitive verb

1 : to pass, move, or climb down or down along descending the staircase
2 : to extend down along a narrow scar descended her arm
Other Words from descend Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about descend

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from descend

descendible \ di-​ˈsen-​də-​bəl How to pronounce descendible (audio) , dē-​ \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for descend

Synonyms

decline, dip, drop, fall, plunge, sink

Antonyms

arise, ascend, climb, mount, rise, uprise, upsweep, upturn

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of descend in a Sentence

Wait for the elevator to descend. The workers descended into the hole. A herd of goats descended into the valley. The airplane will descend to a lower altitude soon. Descending the mountain was even more dangerous than climbing it. The children descended the staircase silently. The path descends to the river. The stairs descended into the tunnel.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Huge numbers descended by road and rail and filled both departures and arrivals areas. — The Economist, "Protesters in Hong Kong take their grievances to the airport," 13 Aug. 2019 Police from New Haven and surrounding towns descended on the area minutes later and established a sweeping scene across several blocks in the area, including along Henry, Orchard and Goffe streets. — Don Stacom, courant.com, "Search continues for armed man who shot New Haven police captain in Monday night gunfight," 13 Aug. 2019 According to the report, the witness said the plane climbed up to 100 feet before descending and cartwheeling onto the water upside down with seven people on board. — baltimoresun.com, "Report: Floatplane in Alaska crash that killed Annapolis businessman hit swell or wave," 1 Aug. 2019 Once in lunar orbit, one will descend to the surface and later rejoin the other for the trip back to Earth. — William Harwood, CBS News, "The path to Apollo 11: A timeline of the space race to land on the moon," 15 July 2019 The rock wall descends from 30 to 60 feet, and the sandy bottom section can easily bring divers to 100 feet below the surface. — Nick Rahaim, SFChronicle.com, "5 best scuba diving spots in California, from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s dive director," 18 June 2019 Dozens of Arizona Highway Patrolmen, sheriff’s deputies and state liquor agents descended on the town and began rounding people up with the stated purpose of re-establishing the rule of law in Short Creek. — John D'anna, azcentral, "Think child separations are unprecedented? Here are 3 heartbreaking examples from history," 21 June 2018 The limestone cave descends into a deep abyss, where the temperature is at least a hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit. — Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, "The Changing Climate Inside the World’s Largest Bat Colony," 6 Aug. 2019 Without such a policy, a typical flight would descend into chaos. — Elliott Hester, Los Angeles Times, "Biggest offender in failing to use headphones on a plane is a person named Mom," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'descend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of descend

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3b

History and Etymology for descend

Middle English, from Anglo-French descendre, from Latin descendere, from de- + scandere to climb — more at scan

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for descend

descend

verb
How to pronounce descend (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of descend

formal
: to go down : to go or move from a higher to a lower place or level
: to slope or lead downward
: to go or change to a worse state or condition

See the full definition for descend in the English Language Learners Dictionary

descend

verb
de·​scend | \ di-ˈsend How to pronounce descend (audio) \
descended; descending

Kids Definition of descend

1 :

WORD OF THE DAY

jeopardize

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!