erect
Americanadjective
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upright in position or posture.
to stand or sit erect.
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raised or directed upward.
a dog with ears erect.
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Botany. vertical throughout; not spreading or declined.
an erect stem;
an erect leaf or ovule.
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Heraldry.
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(of a charge) represented vertically, following the line of a pale.
a sword erect.
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(of an animal or part of an animal) represented upright.
a boar's head erect.
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Optics. (of an image) having the same position as the object; not inverted.
verb (used with object)
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to erect a house.
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to raise and set in an upright or vertical position.
to erect a telegraph pole.
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to set up or establish, as an institution; found.
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to bring about; cause to come into existence.
to erect barriers to progress.
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Geometry. to draw or construct (a line or figure) upon a given line, base, or the like.
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to form or create legally (usually followed byinto ).
to erect a territory into a state.
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Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.
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Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.
verb (used without object)
adjective
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upright in posture or position; not bent or leaning
an erect stance
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(of an optical image) having the same orientation as the object; not inverted
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physiol (of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) firm or rigid after swelling with blood, esp as a result of sexual excitement
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(of plant parts) growing vertically or at right angles to the parts from which they arise
verb
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to put up; construct; build
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to raise to an upright position; lift up
to erect a flagpole
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to found or form; set up
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(also intr) physiol to become or cause to become firm or rigid by filling with blood
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to hold up as an ideal; exalt
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optics to change (an inverted image) to an upright position
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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
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The Cay
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Beowulf vocabulary
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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.
If Hearts do win this title, they'll have to erect a statue to the captain - not that he would need a landmark for people to remember his leadership and his goals.
From BBC • May 9, 2026
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
Instead, the VA is asking for a $500-million appropriation to rehab six aging buildings, erect an 800-space parking structure and improve infrastructure on its sprawling campus spanning Wilshire Boulevard west of the 405 Freeway.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
When you've been through the wringer with this team you learn to erect protective walls guarding against excessive bouts of optimism, but there was something different about all of this.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
Pantalaimon, his thick cat’s tail erect, stood on her lap with his blazing eyes fixed on the old man.
From "The Subtle Knife" by Philip Pullman
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.
