erection
erection Lexical Profile
erection Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An enlarged and rigid state of a bodily organ or tissue containing erectile tissue, especially the penis, resulting from increased blood flow.
"The physician explained how vascular health directly affects the ability to achieve and maintain an erection."
The action of building, raising, or setting up a structure, monument, or barrier.
"The city council approved funding for the erection of a bronze memorial in the central plaza."
A building, monument, or other physical structure that has been built or set upright.
"The Victorian tower remains the tallest brick erection in the county."
Word Nuance & Usage
Because the physiological sense of 'erection' is dominant in everyday speech, speakers and writers often prefer 'construction', 'raising', or 'installation' when referring to buildings or monuments in general contexts to avoid unintended double entendre.
• Rhymes for erection
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 15th century from Middle French érection and directly from Latin erectio ('an uprighting, a setting up'), a noun of action from erigere ('to set up, raise'), composed of ex- ('out, up') and regere ('to direct, keep straight').