Erect: meaning, definitions and examples

To describe building something tall or upright, often used in formal or technical contexts, especially with statues, poles, or structures.

• They plan to erect a new statue in the park.
• The engineers will erect the new cell tower by the end of the month.

To describe creating or assembling something, generally from the ground up, used in both formal and informal contexts for various types of structures or organizations.

• They decided to build a new house in the countryside.
• We need to build a solid team to complete this project.

To describe lifting something to a higher position, but can also imply causing something to increase or rise, used in both literal and figurative senses.

• They raised the flag on the Fourth of July.
• She raised her hand to ask a question.

To describe creating something with a clear plan and structure, often used in formal contexts for large or complex projects.

• The company will construct a new bridge over the river.
• It took years to construct the new stadium.

To describe setting up something such as an organization, system, or institution with a sense of foundation or permanence.

• They established a new charity to help the homeless.
• The company plans to establish a presence in Europe by next year.

This can also mean standing or sitting up with the back straight and the head up, often used in the context of posture or animal behavior.

• She sat erect in her chair, listening intently

This is appropriate for describing the action of lifting something to a higher position or increasing the level of something, often in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

• Please raise your hand if you have a question
• The new policy will raise the minimum wage

Use this when referring to something becoming rigid or less flexible, often used in contexts related to physical reactions or material properties.

• His body stiffened in fear
• The fabric will stiffen when it gets wet

Use this when talking about someone or something becoming more lively or cheerful, usually in informal settings.

• She perked up after hearing the good news

Used to describe something that has been built or constructed, or to describe the action of standing or placing something in an upright position.

• The workers erected a new building in the city center.
• She tried to erect the tent by herself.

Used to describe something that is standing straight up. It can describe posture, objects, or even someone's moral integrity.

• The vase was placed in an upright position on the table.
• She is an upright citizen known for her honesty.

Applicable when describing something that is firm, difficult to bend, or move, and can also refer to people feeling a physical stiffness in their bodies. Can have a slightly negative connotation if referring to people or movements.

• After working all day in the garden, his back was stiff.
• The cardboard was too stiff to fold properly.

Used to describe something that is inflexible, unbending, or strict. Often used for materials that are hard and do not bend, or rules and systems that are difficult to change.

• The board insisted on a rigid adherence to the rules.
• The materials used in the construction are extremely rigid.