ENGLISH
REFERENCE

erection

n.
US //ɪˈɹɛkʃən// UK //ɪɹˈɛkʃən// erec·tion
  1. 1 building a structure (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of building or putting up a large structure like a bridge or a statue.

    the act of constructing or assembling a large physical structure. Often used in formal or technical contexts regarding engineering and architecture.

    Example

    The erection of the new stadium took nearly three years to complete.

    Example

    The rapid erection of temporary housing units was essential for the displaced population following the earthquake.

    Usage

    Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
  2. 2 a built structure (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    something that has been built, especially a large or unusual building.

    a physical object that has been erected or constructed. Frequently carries a slightly formal or descriptive tone.

    Example

    The iron tower was a strange erection in the middle of the park.

    Example

    The skyline was dominated by a massive steel erection that served as the city's primary telecommunications hub.
  3. 3 physiological state (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Medicine

    the state of a body part, such as the penis, becoming firm and standing up.

    the physiological process or state in which erectile tissue becomes engorged with blood and becomes rigid.

    Example

    The doctor explained that certain medications can affect a man's ability to get an erection.

    Example

    The study focused on the neurological triggers that initiate an erection in response to specific stimuli.

    Teacher's tip

    While this is a neutral medical term, it is the most common way the word is used in everyday life; students should be aware of its sexual connotation before using it in a construction context.

Origin

Borrowed from Latin ērectiō, ērectiōnis, noun of action from perfect passive participle ērectus, from verb erigō, from prefix ē- (“out of”) + regō, + action suffix -iō.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026