1. movements downward from a higher to a lower place or position
2. downward slopes or inclined surfaces
3. family origins or ancestral lineages

Examples

• The airplane began its descent toward the runway.
• The mountain trail had several steep descents that challenged the hikers.
• She traced her family’s descent back to Ireland.
• The neighborhood’s descent into crime worried local residents.
• The cave explorers made careful descents into the underground chambers.
• His descent from nobility was evident in the old family portraits.
• The stock market’s recent descents have alarmed investors.