erect
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to build a building, wall, or other structure.
v.to construct or assemble a vertical structure by fitting parts together. Transitive in this sense.
Simple“The workers began to erect a high fence around the construction site.”
In context“The city council decided to erect a monument in the central plaza to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the town.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
v.to start or create an organization or a system.
v.to set up or establish an institution, system, or legal entity. Used in formal or legal contexts.
Simple“The government plans to erect a new department to handle environmental issues.”
In context“The treaty allowed the member states to erect a common framework for trade and judicial cooperation across the border.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.standing straight up and not bending.
adj.standing in a vertical or upright position; rigid and firm. Often used in biological or anatomical descriptions.
Simple“The dog stood with its ears erect, listening for any strange noises.”
In context“The soldier maintained an erect posture throughout the long ceremony, despite the heat and the weight of his formal uniform.”
Antonyms
“CBP first signaled in February that it planned to erect a 30ft steel bollard wall across an area that is naturally obstructed by steep cliffs.”
“Eventually, the owners of the Breaking Bad house followed suit, erecting a 6ft iron fence – not that it stopped fans.”
From Middle English erect, a borrowing from Latin ērectus (“upright”), past participle of ērigō (“raise, set up”), from ē- (“out”) + regō (“to direct, keep straight, guide”).
From Middle English erecten, from the adjective (see above).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.