erect

[ ih-rekt ]

/ ɪˈrɛkt /

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See synonyms for: erect / erected / erecting / erectness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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 build; construct; raise: 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 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.

verb (used without object)

to become erect; stand up or out.

OTHER WORDS FOR erect

1 standing, vertical.

6 put up, set up.

7 upend, upraise.

See synonyms for erect on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR erect

1 reclining.

See antonyms for erect on Thesaurus.com

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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

synonym study for erect

1. See upright.

OTHER WORDS FROM erect

e·rect·a·ble, adjectivee·rect·ly, adverbe·rect·ness, nounnon·e·rect·ing, adjective

pre·e·rect, verb (used with object)re·e·rect, verb (used with object)sem·i·e·rect, adjectivesem·i·e·rect·ly, adverbsem·i·e·rect·ness, nounsub·e·rect, adjectivesub·e·rect·ly, adverbsub·e·rect·ness, nounun·e·rect, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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 Post
There, 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|Ozy
Other 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 News
The 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|ProPublica

Astronomers 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.
$10,000 a Month for Ebola Fighters|Abby Haglage|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
They also can slow down the committee process, erecting obstacles to scheduling hearings.
The GOP’s Nuclear Winter Strategy|Eleanor Clift|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His illicit artwork showed that erecting barriers is not only inhumane, but also futile.
The Big Idea: Why Forgeries Are Great Art|Jonathon Keats|April 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
This he did, erecting at the harbor a beautiful cross bearing the arms of France.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
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 Trevithick
She 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 Penrose
They 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 Penrose
On 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

erect

/ (ɪˈrɛkt) /

adjective

upright in posture or position; not bent or leaningan 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 (mainly tr)

to put up; construct; build

to raise to an upright position; lift upto 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

Derived forms of erect

erectable, adjectiveerectly, adverberectness, noun

Word Origin for erect

C14: from Latin ērigere to set up, from regere to control, govern

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

Medical definitions for erect

erect

[ ĭ-rĕkt′ ]

adj.

Being in or having a vertical, upright position.

Being in or having a stiff, rigid physiological condition.

erect

OTHER WORDS FOR erect

OPPOSITES FOR erect

Origin of erect

synonym study for erect

OTHER WORDS FROM erect

Words related to erect

How to use erect in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for erect

Derived forms of erect

Word Origin for erect

Medical definitions for erect