erect

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: vertical in position
also : not spread out or decumbent
an erect plant stem
columns still erect in the ruins
b
: standing up or out from the body
erect hairs
c
: characterized by firm or rigid straightness in bodily posture
an erect bearing
2
archaic : directed upward
3
obsolete : alert, watchful
4
: being in a state of physiological erection
erectly adverb
erectness noun

erect

2 of 2

verb

erected; erecting; erects

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to put up by the fitting together of materials or parts : build
(2)
: to fix in an upright position
(3)
: to cause to stand up or stand out
b
archaic : to direct upward
c
: to change (an image) from an inverted to a normal position
2
: to elevate in status
3
4
obsolete : encourage, embolden
5
: to draw or construct (something, such as a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base
erectable adjective

Examples of erect in a Sentence

Adjective She sat erect, listening for her name. a lone tree remained erect after the terrible tornado had passed Verb The city erected a statue in his honor. They erected a marker over the grave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Nearly three decades on, viewers are still baffled by costume designer Jose Fernandez's decision to adhere erect rubber nipples to various costumes. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024 While other luxury groups and their billionaire owners may hire fancy architects and erect spaces to showcase their private collections, Chanel is taking a more business-to-business approach and focusing on public, art-for-all projects. Samantha Conti, WWD, 26 Sep. 2024
Verb
Two months ago, the last of the four decades-old hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River targeted for removal were taken down — opening the river to salmon that had been spawning in those waters for thousands of years before the dams were erected for electrical power. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 Various practices became associated with Advent, including lighting an Advent wreath, erecting a Christmas tree, and putting out Christmas decorations. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for erect 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'erect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin erectus, past participle of erigere to erect, from e- + regere to lead straight, guide — more at right

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of erect was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near erect

Cite this Entry

“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

erect

1 of 2 adjective
1
: straight up and down : upright
an erect pole
erect poplars
2
: straight in posture
sit erect
3
: directed upward : raised
a tree with erect branches
4
: being in a state of physiological erection
erectly adverb
erectness noun

erect

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put up or together by fitting together materials : build, assemble
erect a building
erect a playground slide
2
: to set upright
erect a flagpole
3
: to construct (as a perpendicular) on a given base
erector
i-ˈrek-tər
noun

Medical Definition

erect

adjective
1
: standing up or out from the body
erect hairs
2
: being in a state of physiological erection

Legal Definition

erect

transitive verb
: to give legal existence to by a formal act of authority
no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other StateU.S. Constitution art. IV
erection noun

More from Merriam-Webster on erect

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