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
These findings add further evidence to the emerging scientific consensus, but Wiseman cautioned that this is not definitive proof that Lucy could walk erect frequently and efficiently. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 13 June 2023 One parent reported a photo of erect male genitalia sent in a direct message. Michael H. Keller, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 As Enzo, Driver is trim and erect, moving with an elegant sense of swing that Mann matches with a curvaceously mobile camera tracing brisk, suave arcs around him. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2024 There is a residual tension in early representations of Ardhanarishvara, where Shiva is shown with an erect phallus, suggesting that the figure itself is still straining against resolution, striving for the division that creates desire and regeneration. Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 When erect, their penises measure roughly 0.6 inches (1.6 centimeters) long, which represents more than one-fifth of their 2.7-inch (7-centimeter) body length. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023 Botanically speaking, roses are erect, climbing or trailing shrubs. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2023 With its front two paws in the air, back erect, the creature looks from side to side across a crowd of zoo visitors. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2023 Now, many more state, local and private entities, each with their own policies and processes, regularly erect markers. John Garrison Marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023
Verb
Some 64 turbines will be erected at the Cimarron wind project, with capacity to generate about 320 megawatts of power under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Silicon Valley Power to supply renewable energy to the Northern California city of Santa Clara. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 In the post–Cold War era, U.S. foreign policy was focused on opening markets and reducing international economic barriers rather than erecting them. Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Last week, environmental activists erected tents and built make-shift tree houses in the woodland Tesla plans to cut down in order to expand. Esme Nicholson, NPR, 5 Mar. 2024 The goal is to set a new standard of openness from your end and to get in the practice of erecting boundaries with them moving forward. Elaine Welteroth, Washington Post, 5 Mar. 2024 By erecting a billboard in Los Angeles, the pop superstar revealed a whopping 18 tracks appear on the project, including a collaboration with his *NSYNC bandmates. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 In addition, new perimeter fencing will be erected in several areas, and new signage will be mounted to convey the fact that the entire campus is protected by robust security camera coverage. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 29 Feb. 2024 Protesters had set up camp in the trees and erected barricades to block officers and construction crews. Rick Rojas, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 One night in April 1936, the bridge connecting Rawsonville’s two counties collapsed, the steel bridge erected in its place is still in use today. Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024

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 28 Mar. 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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