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
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
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
Their presence made for a refreshing break from the usual barricade that luxury hotels erect between locals and guests.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The two-story stone building, which also served as a church and school, was erected at a cost of $329.75.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erect
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Adjective
Rich and poor kids alike would put on hardhats and erect skyscrapers or build dams.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025
Their presence made for a refreshing break from the usual barricade that luxury hotels erect between locals and guests.
—Michael Snyder, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
When the basilica was erected, Constantinople, perched at the eastern end of the European continent and named after emperor Constantine the Great, was one of the most important capitals of Christendom.
—Danuta Hamlin, FOXNews.com, 13 Apr. 2025
The two-story stone building, which also served as a church and school, was erected at a cost of $329.75.
—Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for erect
Cite this Entry
“Erect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/erect. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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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