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
Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024
Nearly three decades on, viewers are still baffled by costume designer Jose Fernandez's decision to adhere erect rubber nipples to various costumes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Jones received a violation for the installation of the putting green, for section 45-3, which states neither buildings nor structures can be erected, added to or structurally altered.
—Kayla Mutchler, Connecticut Post, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for erect 
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Adjective
Sitting at a drafting table, armed with his mighty pencil and backed by the authority and purse of the federal government, Rudolph could wipe away entire neighborhoods, reshape cities, and erect monuments.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2024
Nearly three decades on, viewers are still baffled by costume designer Jose Fernandez's decision to adhere erect rubber nipples to various costumes.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
In the meantime, a metal gangway is being erected over the empty fountain for tourists to get a close view of the fountain’s sculpture Oceanus, the Titan God of Earth, depicted with galloping horses.
—Barbie Latza Nadeau and Antonia Mortensen, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024
Jones received a violation for the installation of the putting green, for section 45-3, which states neither buildings nor structures can be erected, added to or structurally altered.
—Kayla Mutchler, Connecticut Post, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for erect
Dictionary Entries Near erect
Cite this Entry
“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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