erect
upright in position or posture: to stand or sit erect.
raised or directed upward: a dog with ears erect.
Botany. vertical throughout; not spreading or declined: an erect stem;an erect leaf or ovule.
Heraldry.
(of a charge) represented vertically, following the line of a pale: a sword erect.
(of an animal or part of an animal) represented upright: a boar's head erect.
Optics. (of an image) having the same position as the object; not inverted.
to raise and set in an upright or vertical position: to erect a telegraph pole.
to set up or establish, as an institution; found.
to bring about; cause to come into existence: to erect barriers to progress.
Geometry. to draw or construct (a line or figure) upon a given line, base, or the like.
to form or create legally (usually followed by into): to erect a territory into a state.
Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.
Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.
to become erect; stand up or out.
Origin of erect
1synonym study For erect
Other words for erect
Opposites for erect
1 | reclining |
Other words from erect
- e·rect·a·ble, adjective
- e·rect·ly, adverb
- e·rect·ness, noun
- non·e·rect·ing, adjective
- pre·e·rect, verb (used with object)
- re·e·rect, verb (used with object)
- sem·i·e·rect, adjective
- sem·i·e·rect·ly, adverb
- sem·i·e·rect·ness, noun
- sub·e·rect, adjective
- sub·e·rect·ly, adverb
- sub·e·rect·ness, noun
- un·e·rect, adjective
Words Nearby erect
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use erect in a sentence
Some have become radicalized by the president’s behavior, meeting fire with fire — from erecting guillotines to accosting Senators to defending violent looters as collecting what society owes them.
The government said the legislation aims to stop the EU erecting trade barriers between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland if no agreement can be reached on future arrangements for the region.
Biden warns U.K. that peace in Northern Ireland must not become a “casualty” of Brexit | kdunn6 | September 17, 2020 | FortuneIt would require the region to erect multiple new electric transmission lines through San Diego Gas and Electric territory to power the pumps that get the water where it would need to go.
The Water Authority Is Resurrecting Its Pipe Dream – Again | MacKenzie Elmer | September 1, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoLike one of Jim Henson’s darker creations, this was a goblin bird with mottled brown feathers puffed out, back hunched, and ear tufts erect and menacing.
The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl | Jonathan Slaght | August 28, 2020 | Popular-ScienceIt was where people lived and feasted while they erected Stonehenge.
Underground mega-monument found near Stonehenge | Avery Elizabeth Hurt | August 11, 2020 | Science News For Students
The original metaphor was: erect a wall to keep the garden of the church free from the wilderness of politics.
Then Foley was shown on his knees, his body erect—even proud—clad in an orange tunic with no collar, and his head shaved.
Medieval Cruelty in Modern Times: ISIS Thugs Behead American Journalist | Christopher Dickey | August 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFor an hour or so after that, he sits erect, his chin tilted upward toward his accuser—defiant, even cunning, in his denials.
The Daily Beast Staff Picks Their Favorite ‘Breaking Bad’ Moments (VIDEO) | The Daily Beast | September 28, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIn fact, the effort to erect the Obamacare infrastructure is creating a large number of private-sector positions.
Technology Firms Staff Up to Build Health-Insurance Exchanges | Miranda Green | August 21, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter a while, it will seem natural to erect a canopy to shield the worshipers from the elements.
He had seen through a powerful naval glass some figures standing erect and silhouetted against the sky on the parapet.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonAnd with another bow the man from Paris drew himself erect, turned on his heel, and went jingling and creaking from the room.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniHalf-fed men would dig for diamonds, and men sheltered by a crazy roof erect the marble walls of palaces.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockI intend to sail for that place in about a month or six weeks, but shall appoint agents in England to erect these engines.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickAs she spoke, a handsome man of middle age and erect carriage entered the room.
The Garret and the Garden | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for erect
/ (ɪˈrɛkt) /
upright in posture or position; not bent or leaning: an erect stance
(of an optical image) having the same orientation as the object; not inverted
physiol (of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) firm or rigid after swelling with blood, esp as a result of sexual excitement
(of plant parts) growing vertically or at right angles to the parts from which they arise
to put up; construct; build
to raise to an upright position; lift up: to erect a flagpole
to found or form; set up
(also intr) physiol to become or cause to become firm or rigid by filling with blood
to hold up as an ideal; exalt
optics to change (an inverted image) to an upright position
to draw or construct (a line, figure, etc) on a given line or figure, esp at right angles to it
Origin of erect
1Derived forms of erect
- erectable, adjective
- erectly, adverb
- erectness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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