Word
erect
US/ɪˈɹɛkt/
UK/ɪɹˈɛkt/
Definitions
01to build or put up
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
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.
“The workers began to erect a high fence around the construction site.”
“The city council decided to erect a monument in the central plaza to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the town.”
02to establish
C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Academic
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.
日本語:築く※
“The government plans to erect a new department to handle environmental issues.”
“The treaty allowed the member states to erect a common framework for trade and judicial cooperation across the border.”
03upright
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.
日本語:まっすぐ※
Español:erecto
“The dog stood with its ears erect, listening for any strange noises.”
“The soldier maintained an erect posture throughout the long ceremony, despite the heat and the weight of his formal uniform.”
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “erect” in context.
Verb
01. erect a barrier
“Police had to erect a barrier to keep the protesters away from the embassy entrance.”
verb + noun
02. erect a monument
“The city decided to erect a monument in the central square to honor the fallen soldiers.”
verb + noun
03. erect a scaffolding
“Workers began to erect a scaffolding around the cathedral to start the restoration work.”
verb + noun
04. hastily erect a tent
“As the storm approached, the campers had to hastily erect a tent for shelter.”
adv + verb
Adjective
05. perfectly erect
“The dancer maintained a perfectly erect posture throughout the entire performance.”
adv + adj
Adverb
06. sit erect
“She sat erect in her chair, listening intently to the professor's lecture.”
verb + adv
07. stand erect
“The guards were instructed to stand erect for the duration of the ceremony.”
verb + adv
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/erect
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0