noun
erection
ih-REHK-shuhn
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 notesIn 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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The _____ of the new stadium took two years.
Etymology
From Latin ērēctiō, built from erigere ("to raise up"), the same root as "erect."