Word: Erect

Pronunciation

/ɪˈrɛkt/

Definitions

• Adjective: Standing upright or straight; not leaning or bent. For example: “The soldier stood erect during the ceremony.”

  • Physical state: Referring to a structure that is built or positioned so as to be vertical or nearly so. Example: “An erect posture helps maintain good posture.”
  • Botany: Describing plant parts that grow vertically, such as “erect stems”.

• Verb: (1) To construct, build, or set up something so that it stands upright. Example: “They erected a new skyscraper downtown.”

  • (figurative): To establish or create something formally or officially. Example: “To erect a new system of governance.”
  • (2) To make something stand upright or straighten it out. Example: “He erected his shoulders in pride.”

Phrases

• “Erect a building”: To build or construct a building from the ground up.
• “Erect oneself”: To straighten one’s body to a standing position or to adopt a posture of confidence or readiness.
• “Erect barriers”: To put up obstacles, either physical or metaphorical.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “The proud peacock displayed his erect feathers.”
• Verb: “Workers have been busy erecting scaffolding around the old church for restoration work.”

Synonyms

• Build
• Construct
• Raise
• Set up
• Establish
• Upright
• Straight
• Stiffened (in the context of posture)
• Built-up (for the act of construction)