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
4
: being in a state of physiological erection
erected; erecting; erects
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
5
: to draw or construct (something, such as a perpendicular or figure) upon a given base
Synonyms
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
Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Indeed, for literally thousands of years, Ptah has been depicted — often in gold — as a sleek figure, standing erect (perhaps even mummified, but for its arms and face) and holding in front of him, right hand over left, a staff.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
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
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The Breakers: The grand Breakers, erected in the late 19th century, occupies 140 acres of coastline.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Half of the structural steel is erected on the site, interior slabs are being poured, concrete walls are going up and masonry is beginning on interior walls.
—Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
After a sound barrier wall erected by the company in 2021 failed to ease residents’ complaints, Newport and the Campbell County Attorney's Office started pursuing misdemeanor noise charges.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
The 110-year-old white adobe and stucco house of worship is the heart of Guadalupe and was erected by the Pascua Yaquis.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
The original marker, which was erected in 1961, inaccurately stated that the island was discovered by the French.
—Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024
The gallows erected in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 remains an enduring mystery of that day.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024
The Place de la Concorde, an 18th century plaza where guillotines were once erected during the French Revolution, this summer will be home to Olympic events like skateboarding.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Suddenly the once-content birds snapped their heads erect and, as if someone sounded an alert, the birds flushed almost in unison and sailed far overhead and across a broad valley.
—Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Indeed, for literally thousands of years, Ptah has been depicted — often in gold — as a sleek figure, standing erect (perhaps even mummified, but for its arms and face) and holding in front of him, right hand over left, a staff.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
Many students had been camping there since the wall was erected in late March, but according to Eve Oishi, a professor of cultural studies at Claremont Graduate University, had packed up and disassembled their encampment.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The Breakers: The grand Breakers, erected in the late 19th century, occupies 140 acres of coastline.
—Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024
Half of the structural steel is erected on the site, interior slabs are being poured, concrete walls are going up and masonry is beginning on interior walls.
—Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
After a sound barrier wall erected by the company in 2021 failed to ease residents’ complaints, Newport and the Campbell County Attorney's Office started pursuing misdemeanor noise charges.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
The 110-year-old white adobe and stucco house of worship is the heart of Guadalupe and was erected by the Pascua Yaquis.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Mar. 2024
The original marker, which was erected in 1961, inaccurately stated that the island was discovered by the French.
—Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024
The gallows erected in front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 remains an enduring mystery of that day.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024
The Place de la Concorde, an 18th century plaza where guillotines were once erected during the French Revolution, this summer will be home to Olympic events like skateboarding.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 16 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
Phrases Containing erect
Dictionary Entries Near erect
Cite this Entry
“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
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
U.S. Constitution art. IV
erection
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on erect
Nglish: Translation of erect for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of erect for Arabic Speakers
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