erection
erection — noun
1. the physical condition in which the male or female sexual organ becomes stiff an
the physical condition in which the male or female sexual organ becomes stiff and enlarged, happening most often during sexual arousal or sleep
Blood flowing into the penis makes the tissue expand and become stiff, the doctor explained.
medical register: anatomical explanation
Losing an erection during sex is common and rarely means a health problem.
collocation: losing an erection
Most men have several erections during sleep each night.
collocation: have + several erections
The nurse said that erections during sleep are a normal part of the sleep cycle.
Roya felt embarrassed when she got an erection during a health class presentation.
collocation: got an erection (informal written context)
- get an erection
- have an erection
- lose an erection
- maintain an erection
- morning erection
- erection during sleep
- hard-on
very informal / slang; avoid in polite conversation
- boner
slang; considered crude by many speakers
- tumescence
extremely formal medical term; rarely used outside clinical writing
- flaccidity
medical term for the soft, relaxed state of the penis or clitoris
Grammar Patterns
have + an erection
get + an erection
lose + an erection
Usage Note
The standard, neutral term used in medical, educational, and polite conversation. Not a vulgar or offensive word. In informal spoken English, alternatives such as 'hard-on' or 'boner' exist but are considered crude or slang and should be avoided in formal situations.
Common Mistakes
2. the process of building something large, such as a wall, bridge, or building, an
the process of building something large, such as a wall, bridge, or building, and putting it in an upright position where it will stay
Construction workers completed the erection of the hospital in just over two years.
collocation: erection of + [large structure]
City officials approved the erection of a fifty-metre observation tower in the park.
formal register: official approval context
Crews needed four people for the tent's erection, which took about twenty minutes.
A large crowd gathered to watch the war memorial's erection during the ceremony.
- erection of + [structure]
- erection of a wall
- erection of scaffolding
- erection of a monument
- erection of a fence
- construction
broader term that includes all building work, not just putting upright
- assembly
focuses on fitting parts together, often for smaller structures like furniture
- building
everyday word; 'erection' is much more formal
- demolition
the act of tearing down a structure
Grammar Patterns
erection + of + noun phrase (structure being built)
Usage Note
Frequently uncountable when describing the general process ('The erection of the bridge was delayed.'). Countable when referring to one specific instance of construction ('a quick erection of the stage'). In everyday conversation, 'building' or 'putting up' is more common.
Common Mistakes
3. a large building or other tall, man-made object that has been put up in an uprig
a large building or other tall, man-made object that has been put up in an upright position in a particular place
The stone monument in the square was built to honour soldiers who died at war.
collocation: stone monument (built structure)
Modern structures made of glass and steel now stand along the old riverbank.
The ancient structures on the hill were originally used for religious ceremonies.
Photographers gathered near the harbour to capture the strange stone monuments.
neutral term 'monuments' avoids double entendre
- stone erection
- concrete erection
- ancient erection
- modern erection
- large erection
Usage Note
Very formal and uncommon in everyday speech. Most speakers use 'building,' 'structure,' or a more specific word (monument, tower, statue) instead. The plural 'erections' is especially rare.