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
Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 27 Nov. 2024
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
Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has promised to erect tent cities to remove homeless people from America’s streets, alarming advocates.
—Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for erect 
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Adjective
While the city’s tree is lit at Jack Benny Plaza through the holiday season, the library’s Giving Tree will be erect and in service Monday through Dec. 30.
—Verb
The Trump Administration Could Enact Policies That Restrict Incoming Travel
Even if international student interest rebounds, the Trump administration may erect material obstacles to current and prospective international students.
—Dictionary Entries Near erect
Cite this Entry
“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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
erection
noun
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