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noun Uncommon

erection

ih-REHK-shuhn

Erection (noun) means the act of building or putting something up. Example: “The erection of the new stadium took two years.”

noun
1
The act of building or putting something up.
"The erection of the new stadium took two years."
2
A structure that has been built.
"The old stone tower is an impressive erection dating from the 1400s."
3
The state of a penis or clitoris becoming stiff and swollen with blood during sexual arousal, or the organ in that state.
"The medication is prescribed for men who have trouble maintaining an erection."

How to use erection

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMost often used today for the physical act of building something, or for the sexual/anatomical sense.

When to use it

The building sense is neutral and formal; be aware the anatomical sense is far more common in casual speech, which can cause unintentional double meanings ("the erection of the monument" can sound odd out of context).

Word forms

erections plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ of the new stadium took two years.

Etymology

From Latin ērēctiō, built from erigere ("to raise up"), the same root as "erect."

Origin: Latin

lead in one's pencil tentigo tumescence

Related words

Rhymes for erection

See all rhymes for erection →

Frequently asked questions

What does “erection” mean?

The word “erection” means the act of building or putting something up.

How do you pronounce “erection”?

“Erection” is pronounced ih-REHK-shuhn (/ɪˈɹɛkʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “erection” in a sentence?

Here is “erection” used in a sentence: “The erection of the new stadium took two years.”

What is another word for “erection”?

Words with a similar meaning to “erection” include lead in one's pencil, tentigo and tumescence.

What part of speech is “erection”?

“Erection” is a noun.

Where does the word “erection” come from?

The word “erection” comes from Latin. From Latin ērēctiō, built from erigere ("to raise up"), the same root as "erect.".

Is “erection” a common word?

“Erection” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “erection” have?

“Erection” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of building or putting something up.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial