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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use erect in a sentence
By 1941 college presidents and administrators had erected a lucrative arrangement focused on football.
This isn’t the first time Army played Navy in a moment of crisis | Randy Roberts | December 11, 2020 | Washington PostThere, the Peruvian government is spending millions of dollars to preserve the city’s drainage systems while installing roof coverings and erecting protective scaffolding.
Authenticity Versus Longevity for Preservation: Which Matters More? | Nick Fouriezos | December 11, 2020 | OzyOther times, the shots lessen the chance of infection, but don’t completely eliminate it because influenza viruses mutate quickly and can slip by immune defenses erected by even well-matched vaccines.
Here are answers to 6 burning questions about COVID-19 vaccines | Jonathan Lambert | December 8, 2020 | Science NewsThe state can issue fines of up to $15,000 a day to property owners who erect illegal shoreline structures.
How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches | by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser | December 5, 2020 | ProPublicaAstronomers could use the infrastructure to hold conferences, for instance, or they could erect a small array of radio dishes that could at least partially fill the hole left by the fallen giant.
The Arecibo Observatory collapsed this week. What now? | Charlie Wood | December 4, 2020 | Popular-Science
Some facilities had begun erecting “bamboo hand washing stations” at the entrance to hospitals, but not enough.
Protests spread late Sunday evening, when people in other areas began erecting barricades and gathering in intersections.
Hong Kong Protesters Fear Martial Law Is Coming | Gordon G. Chang | September 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey also can slow down the committee process, erecting obstacles to scheduling hearings.
His illicit artwork showed that erecting barriers is not only inhumane, but also futile.
One of his biggest achievements was erecting a library annex that had needed to be completed for 25 years.
Why ‘Mystery Speaker’ Clint Eastwood Loves the GOP | Miranda Green | August 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThis he did, erecting at the harbor a beautiful cross bearing the arms of France.
Every engine that was erecting is stopped, and the whole county thinks of no other engine.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2) | Francis TrevithickShe knew there would be plenty of rope in the Norwood barn or the garage for their need in erecting the aerials.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret PenroseThey laid out the work for the next morning, but did nothing practical toward erecting the wires and attendant parts that day.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn | Margaret PenroseOn a rocky islet in the centre of a fresh water pond two miles in circuit they commenced erecting a fort and store house.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel Munsell
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
Browse