erect

adjective

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\ i-ˈrekt

Definition of erect

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

erect

verb

erected; erecting; erects

Definition of erect (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a(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

Other Words from erect Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About erect

Other Words from erect

Adjective

erectly \ i-ˈrek-(t)lē

\ adverb

erectness \ i-ˈrek(t)-nəs

\ noun

Verb

erectable \ i-ˈrek-tə-bəl

\ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for erect

Synonyms: Adjective

Synonyms: Verb

Antonyms: Adjective

flat,
recumbent

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 Volunteers prepare the boots by carefully tying each lace and placing an empty water bottle inside each boot to keep it erect. — Fox News, 5 Aug. 2021 These experimental trees — only about 2,000 exist so far — grow erect, spineless and fast, while still being able to survive and thrive the in harsh, semi-arid climate of South Texas. — Richard A. Marini, ExpressNews.com, 22 Oct. 2019 One is correctly seated at the table when the figure is erect but not rigid, not self-consciously tense; feet firmly on the floor; elbows off the table; left hand in the lap when it is not engaged. — Dan Danbom, The Denver Post, 17 Oct. 2019 Someday, a human-sized version might even be able erect habitats in space. — Laura Yan, Popular Mechanics, 22 July 2018 This hybrid of two European/Asian species grows to be an almost architectural plant to about 5-feet tall with narrow, erect shape. — Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 1 June 2018 The 5-7 Stanhope runs with erect posture and striking fluidity. — David Woods, Indianapolis Star, 15 May 2018 Natalie Mueller is an archaeobotanist at Cornell University who has spent years hunting for erect knotweed across the southern US and up into Ohio and Illinois. — Annalee Newitz, Ars Technica, 26 Jan. 2018 At up to 12 meters tall, these spindly species were topped by a clump of erect branches vaguely resembling modern palm trees and lived a whopping 393 million to 372 million years ago. — Giorgia Guglielmi, Science | AAAS, 27 Oct. 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Town would erect a statue of Lacob being set upon by a pack of Jack London’s wolves. — Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Oct. 2021 June 27, 2014 - San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge Board of Directors unanimously approves a funding package totaling $76 million to erect and fund a suicide deterrent net on the bridge. — Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 26 July 2021 Eric Heisig reports SomeraRoad aims to erect the new seven-story, 272,000-square-foot building on nearly 1.3 acres on Bolivar Road across from the historic Erie Street Cemetery. — Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, 22 Dec. 2021 In Baltimore, where Murray was born and later served as an assistant rector at an Episcopalian church, the Right Rev. Eugene Sutton, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, is leading an effort to erect a monument to Murray. — Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2021 At that site, developer HCF Homewood plans to erect The Hartford, a four-story building that would include 36 apartments and commercial space on the ground floor. — Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2021 Former President Donald Trump's persistent and fruitless efforts to overturn the 2020 election results -- along with a bevy of new state laws that erect fresh barriers to voting -- have put a spotlight on these posts. — CNN, 11 Aug. 2021 Locals hired workmen to tear down the old barrier in early May and erect a new one. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021 Developers also agreed to preserve the old saw mill and erect a commemorative plaque recognizing its historical significance. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, 24 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'erect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near erect

erechtites

erect

erectile

Statistics for erect

Cite this Entry

“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 16 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for erect

erect

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of erect

(Entry 1 of 2)

: straight up and down

: in a state of erection because of sexual excitement : swollen and stiff

erect

verb

English Language Learners Definition of erect (Entry 2 of 2)

: to build (something) by putting together materials

: to set or place (something) so that it stands up

See the full definition for erect in the English Language Learners Dictionary

erect

adjective

\ i-ˈrekt

Kids Definition of erect

(Entry 1 of 2)

: straight up and down an erect tree The soldiers stood erect.

erect

verb

erected; erecting

Kids Definition of erect (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to put up by fitting together materials or parts erect a tent

2 : to set or place straight up erect a flagpole

erect

adjective

\ i-ˈrekt

Medical Definition of erect

1 : standing up or out from the body erect hairs

2 : being in a state of physiological erection

erect

transitive verb

Legal Definition of erect

: 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