erect

1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈrekt 

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

i-ˈrek-(t)lē 

adverb

erectness

i-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

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

: set up, establish

4

obsolete : encourage, embolden

5

: to draw or construct (something, such as a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base

erectable

i-ˈrek-tə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Adjective

• perpendicular
• plumb
• raised
• standing
• stand-up
• upright
• upstanding
• vertical

Verb

• pitch
• put up
• raise
• rear
• set up
• upend
• upraise

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

In the proceeding years, visitors who wanted to spend the night in the park could rent houseboats, erect tents, or park their camper vans or RVs, but the nearest hotel was located about an hour away in Florida City. —Mariette Williams, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2025

Cobras and mambas have short, erect fangs at the front of the mouth that inject neurotoxins under the skin, paralyzing the victims. —Brian Otieno, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025

Verb

Most recently occupied by a menswear store that shuttered in 2020, this building erected in 1860 needed to be stripped down in its entirety, including the roof, as lead was discovered there during the early stages of the renovation. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025

El Dorado, circa 1912: The Confederate monument was erected in 1910 by the local chapter of the daughters of the Confederacy. —Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 8 Jan. 2025

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)

Phrases Containing erect

• re-erect
• semi-erect

Kids Definition

erect

1 of 2 adjective

i-ˈrekt 

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

-ˈrek-(t)lē 

adverb

erectness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

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

i-ˈrekt 

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 State

—U.S. Constitution art. IV

erection noun