What does erection mean?
Erection is a noun with two main senses. The older and more formal meaning is the act of erecting or building something — putting up a structure such as a bridge, tower, or statue — as in 'the erection of the new stadium was completed last year.' The word also denotes an erect or upright state, and most familiarly refers specifically to the swelling and stiffening of the penis caused by increased blood flow. This anatomical sense is standard in medical and everyday language and is entirely neutral in register, though in casual conversation the word can carry humorous connotations. Derived from the Latin erigere, meaning 'to raise up,' erection shares its root with words like erect and correct. Because both senses remain current, writers should rely on context — surrounding words like 'scaffolding' or 'medication' make the intended meaning clear without ambiguity.
nounThe act or process of building or erecting something, especially a structure. Also: an erect state or condition, particularly of the penis when swollen with blood.
- The act of building or erecting a structure
- An erect state, especially of the penis
"The erection of the new bridge took nearly four years to complete."
"Workers began the erection of scaffolding around the cathedral early Monday morning."
"The doctor explained that certain medications can affect erectile function."
The plural is regular. The architectural sense pluralizes naturally ('several erections on the skyline'), though this use is now somewhat dated or formal; the anatomical sense also takes a normal plural in medical contexts.
"The skyline was dotted with the erections of the industrial boom."
The same Latin root that gives us 'correct' and 'rectitude' also gives us 'erection' — all about being straight and upright.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of erection
Erection derives from the Latin verb erigere, meaning 'to raise up' or 'set upright', formed from e- ('out of') combined with regere ('to straighten or direct'). The word entered English via Old French in the late Middle Ages, originally carrying the literal sense of raising or constructing a building. Over time it developed its physiological sense, describing any erect or rigid state. It shares its Latin root regere with cognates including correct, rectify, and rectitude.
Related word forms
How erection is actually used
In formal or technical contexts (architecture, engineering), 'erection' straightforwardly means the act of building or assembling. In everyday speech it frequently carries the sexual sense, so context matters greatly; in medical writing the sexual sense is treated neutrally.
Easily confused with erection
Direction refers to a course or path, while erection refers to building something or an erect state.