upright in position or posture: to stand or sit erect.
raised or directed upward: a dog with ears erect.
Botany. vertical throughout; not spreading or declined: an erect stem; an erect leaf or ovule.
Heraldry.
(of a charge) represented palewise: a sword erect.
(of an animal or part of an animal) represented upright: a boar's head erect.
Optics. (of an image) having the same position as the object; not inverted.
verb (used with object)
to build; construct; raise: to erect a house.
to raise and set in an upright or vertical position: to erect a telegraph pole.
to set up or establish, as an institution; found.
to bring about; cause to come into existence: to erect barriers to progress.
Geometry. to draw or construct (a line or figure) upon a given line, base, or the like.
to form or create legally (usually followed by into): to erect a territory into a state.
Optics. to change (an inverted image) to the normal position.
Machinery. to assemble; make ready for use.
verb (used without object)
to become erect; stand up or out.
Origin of erect
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ērēctus “raised up” (past participle of ērigere), equivalent to ē-e-1 + reg- “guide, direct” (see royal) + -tus past participle suffix
pre·e·rect,verb (used with object)re·e·rect,verb (used with object)self-e·rect·ed,adjectivesem·i·e·rect,adjectivesem·i·e·rect·ly,adverbsem·i·e·rect·ness,nounsub·e·rect,adjectivesub·e·rect·ly,adverbsub·e·rect·ness,nounun·e·rect,adjectiveun·e·rect·ed,adjectivewell-e·rect·ed,adjective
Some have become radicalized by the president’s behavior, meeting fire with fire — from erecting guillotines to accosting Senators to defending violent looters as collecting what society owes them.
American Anger: Too Hot to Handle?|Nick Fouriezos|September 27, 2020|Ozy
The government said the legislation aims to stop the EU erecting trade barriers between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland if no agreement can be reached on future arrangements for the region.
Biden warns U.K. that peace in Northern Ireland must not become a “casualty” of Brexit|kdunn6|September 17, 2020|Fortune
It would require the region to erect multiple new electric transmission lines through San Diego Gas and Electric territory to power the pumps that get the water where it would need to go.
The Water Authority Is Resurrecting Its Pipe Dream – Again|MacKenzie Elmer|September 1, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Like one of Jim Henson’s darker creations, this was a goblin bird with mottled brown feathers puffed out, back hunched, and ear tufts erect and menacing.
The quest to snare—and save—the world’s largest owl|Jonathan Slaght|August 28, 2020|Popular Science
It was where people lived and feasted while they erected Stonehenge.
Underground mega-monument found near Stonehenge|Avery Elizabeth Hurt|August 11, 2020|Science News For Students
The original metaphor was: erect a wall to keep the garden of the church free from the wilderness of politics.
Dear Evangelicals: You’re Being Had|Jay Michaelson|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the effort to erect the Obamacare infrastructure is creating a large number of private-sector positions.
Technology Firms Staff Up to Build Health-Insurance Exchanges|Miranda Green|August 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After a while, it will seem natural to erect a canopy to shield the worshipers from the elements.
Think Twice About Jews On The Temple Mount|Edward S. Goldstein|June 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Carroll hopes to erect a plaque in her former home and at the hotel where she also lived.
Meet America’s Indiana Jones: Andrew Carroll Searches for Forgotten History Across the U.S.|Nina Strochlic|May 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Netanyahu has pledged to erect a similar barrier along the Syrian frontier, with changes to suit the topography.
Israel Building a Syrian Border Fence|David Frum|January 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
If they could not make such a peace, they were to erect a fort on the Rappahannock River or between it and the York.
Virginia Under Charles I And Cromwell, 1625-1660|Wilcomb E. Washburn
His tall, straight form, erect and slim, swung toward them over the ice.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science February 1930|Various
These last combine the erect bush-like habit of growth with the dwarfness of the Cupid.
Abstracts of Papers Read at the First International Eugenics Congress|Various
Simcoe is going to erect a fort in our territories, and the President has declared that he will repel the attempt.
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. I (of 16)|Thomas Hart Benton
Elsa held the central place, and her little head was erect and proud.
The King's Mirror|Anthony Hope
British Dictionary definitions for erect
erect
/ (ɪˈrɛkt) /
adjective
upright in posture or position; not bent or leaningan erect stance
(of an optical image) having the same orientation as the object; not inverted
physiol(of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) firm or rigid after swelling with blood, esp as a result of sexual excitement
(of plant parts) growing vertically or at right angles to the parts from which they arise
verb(mainly tr)
to put up; construct; build
to raise to an upright position; lift upto erect a flagpole
to found or form; set up
(also intr)physiolto become or cause to become firm or rigid by filling with blood
to hold up as an ideal; exalt
opticsto change (an inverted image) to an upright position
to draw or construct (a line, figure, etc) on a given line or figure, esp at right angles to it