# erection

/ɪˈɹɛkʃən/ (US) · /ɪɹˈɛkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/erection
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building a structure

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The erection of the new stadium took nearly three years to complete.
- The rapid erection of temporary housing units was essential for the displaced population following the earthquake.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'of'.

### 2. a built structure

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- The iron tower was a strange erection in the middle of the park.
- The skyline was dominated by a massive steel erection that served as the city's primary telecommunications hub.

### 3. physiological state

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The doctor explained that certain medications can affect a man's ability to get an erection.
- The study focused on the neurological triggers that initiate an erection in response to specific stimuli.

Teaching 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.

## Examples

- The erection of the new stadium took two years.
- The rapid erection of temporary housing was necessary to accommodate the families displaced by the flood.
- Historians often debate the engineering methods used in the erection of the Great Pyramids, as the sheer scale of the stones suggests a level of technology far beyond their era.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.