erection

Everyday

1. The erection of a building, statue or tent is the act of building it or putting it up. tree →
2. (formal) An erection can be a building or structure itself, especially one that is not liked. tree →
3. (adult, body word) a word grown-ups use about the body; not for school. tree →

In the lessons

In history and building topics, it is a formal word for putting something up: «the erection of a wall», «the erection of the statue in 1890». Everyday speech usually says «putting up» or «building». Phrases: «the erection of a monument», «erection of scaffolding».

Examples

• The erection of the new bridge took two years. tree →
• Workers began the erection of the tents for the festival. tree →
• A sign announced the erection of a statue in the park. tree →
• The erection of the castle walls kept invaders out. tree →
• Planning permission is needed for the erection of a garden wall. tree →
• The erection of scaffolding blocked the pavement. tree →
• [28] This great work of antiquity was destroyed by an earthquake fifty-six years after its erection, B.C. 256. tree →

Note

Formal; from the verb «erect» (to build, put up). In everyday writing, prefer «building» or «putting up» to avoid giggles. Countable when it means a structure.