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DictionaryerectConstruction
verb / adjective

erect

ih-REKT/ɪˈrekt/

Standing upright or being set upright.

The two adults erect the timber frame by lifting it toward vertical.

Two adults erect a small timber wall frame, lifting it from the ground toward vertical while its bottom edge remains secured to a low shed platform.
Etymology
eLatinup; out of
+rectLatinto direct; keep straight

The Latin pieces combine upward movement with keeping something straight, yielding “raise or set up.” That image connects setting an object upright with putting up a building or structure.

In context

Free Documentary30:37
A new and creative method was developed to erect the towers. The cable support towers will be assembled ahead of time and pulled into place horizontally with cables and then pulled up into the upright position.
World's Longest Cross Sea Bridge | China's Mega Projects | Free Documentary

More examples

  • The workers erect the flagpole beside the school.
  • The rabbit's ears stay erect as it listens.
  • The soldiers stood erect during the inspection.

Forms

erect · erects · erected · erecting · more erect · most erect

erection noun — The act of setting something upright.

Similar words

upright
Upright describes vertical position without necessarily emphasizing a straight posture.
raise
Raise emphasizes upward movement rather than the final upright position.