erect
Americanadjective
-
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.
verb (used with object)
-
to erect a house.
-
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 byinto ).
to erect a territory into a state.
-
Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.
-
Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.
verb (used without object)
adjective
-
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
verb
-
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
Related Words
See upright.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of erect
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ērēctus “raised up” (past participle of ērigere ), equivalent to ē- e- 1 + reg- “guide, direct” ( see royal) + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
Erect means "build" or "upright." If you erect a house, you build it. If you stand erect, you hold your body as tall as possible. Erect comes from the Latin word erectus, meaning “upright, elevated, lofty” or “eager, alert, aroused.” Erect is a verb, as in, it will take you years to erect your replica of the Eiffel Tower using only gum and toothpicks. Erect is also an adjective, as in something that is tall, firm, straight or rigid, like a half-dead plant that becomes more erect when you water it.
Vocabulary lists containing erect
100 Great Words from "Fahrenheit 451" -- Part I Vocabulary
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Cay
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Beowulf vocabulary
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That same month, she pushed to erect a statue of him at the Capitol building in San Juan alongside other presidents who’ve visited the island.
From Salon • May 6, 2026
Plans to erect a statue in New Zealand symbolising the so-called comfort women who were forced into sexual slavery by Japan during World War Two have been rejected.
From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026
The work to erect the two tallest towers in Beverly Hills started Friday with an overnight continuous pour of 3,800 cubic yards of concrete, the equivalent of 41,000 wheelbarrows-full.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025
His great grandson has joined a campaign to erect a stature in Laidlaw's honour in his hometown and to create a lasting piping legacy in his name.
From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025
One of his last official acts was to lobby against a proposal to erect a statue in memory of Charles Darwin.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
