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

erect a stone wall

(2)

: to fix in an upright position

erect a flagpole

(3)

: to cause to stand up or stand out

a peacock erecting its tail

b

archaic : to direct upward

c

: to change (an image) from an inverted to a normal position

2

: to elevate in status

… the charms of Miss Cecilia Stubbs had erected her into a positive goddess …

—Sir Walter Scott

3

: set up, establish

erected social barriers

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 of erect

Adjective

• standing
• vertical
• upright
• perpendicular

Verb

• raise
• rear
• hoist
• lift

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

Lily stood erect and silent, waiting for her part in the hunt. —Delbert L. Chears, Outdoor Life, 5 Mar. 2026

The same rush to rename buildings, erect statues, hang massive banners of faces and publicly declare fealty to the leader in power is on display in North Korea, Cuba and the former Soviet Union. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026

Verb

Steps from the Capitol's West Front and where the worst of the fighting occurred, workers quietly have installed a plaque honoring the officers, three years after it was required by law to be erected. —Arkansas Online, 8 Mar. 2026

On Friday night, three people were taken into custody amid a clash between pro-Iranian regime demonstrators, who erected a shrine to the slain Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, the former supreme leader of Iran, and anti-Khamenei protesters at Washington Square Park. —Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for erect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

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