What does uprighting mean?
Uprighting names the action of raising a person or object or restoring something fallen or leaning to a vertical position. The word occurs as both a noun, meaning the process itself, and a verbal form in sentences such as “the crew is uprighting the ladder.” Its uses are chiefly practical, especially in descriptions of construction, conservation, transport, maintenance, and other work involving heavy or fallen objects. Uprighting should not be confused with upholding, which means supporting someone or defending a principle or institution. Although upright also has a moral sense meaning morally respectable, the form uprighting is normally concrete and physical. In ordinary conversation, standing something upright or setting it upright may sound more natural, but uprighting is useful when the action itself is being presented as a named procedure or technical task.
The act or process of raising or restoring something to an upright or vertical position.
"The uprighting of the sculpture required a crane and several workers."
The noun is relatively uncommon and is chiefly used in practical or technical contexts.
To raise, set, or bring a person or object into an upright or vertical position.
"The technician is carefully uprighting the fallen antenna."
This is the present participle or gerund form of upright and is often used for an action in progress.
The plural is rare and is chiefly used when referring to distinct instances of the operation.
"The report compares two separate uprightings of the damaged sculpture."
From “up” and “right,” uprighting is literally the business of setting things on the straight and up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does uprighting come from?
Uprighting combines the adjective and verb upright with the English verbal suffix -ing. Upright itself joins up with right, a word continuing Old English rīht from Proto-Germanic *rehtaz and cognate with Latin rectus, meaning “straight” or “right.” The -ing form is productive in English and can express either an action in progress or the nominalized process of performing that action.
How uprighting is actually used
Uprighting is relatively uncommon in everyday English and is most natural in descriptions of lifting, restoration, construction, or similar practical work. Ordinary speech more often uses phrases such as “standing something upright” or “setting something upright.”
Easily confused with uprighting
Uprighting refers to physically bringing something into a vertical position, whereas upholding means supporting a person, principle, or institution.