Bull vs. Cow: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 2, 2024
A bull is an adult male of the cattle species, known for strength and breeding purposes; a cow is an adult female cattle, primarily known for milk production and breeding.
Key Differences
Bulls and cows are both adult members of the bovine family, but they differ significantly in their roles and physical characteristics. Bulls are the male counterparts, known for their larger size, muscular build, and typically more aggressive behavior. Cows, being the female members, are generally smaller, less muscular, and known for their calmer demeanor. Both play crucial roles in agriculture and dairy farming.
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Feb 02, 2024
In reproductive terms, the bull is integral for breeding purposes. A single bull can sire many calves, making it valuable for herd expansion. Cows, on the other hand, are responsible for giving birth to and nurturing the calves. In dairy production, cows are the primary source of milk, a key agricultural product. Both are essential for the sustainability of cattle farming.
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Feb 02, 2024
Physiologically, bulls often have a more robust and sturdy physique, with a prominent hump and larger horns in certain breeds. Cows have a more streamlined body, without the pronounced hump and typically smaller horns. In many cultures, bulls are also symbolic, often representing strength or fertility, while cows are commonly associated with nurturing and abundance.
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Feb 02, 2024
Behaviorally, bulls are known for being more aggressive and territorial, a trait that can be accentuated during the breeding season. Cows are generally more docile, focused on grazing and caring for their young. The management of bulls on a farm requires careful handling due to their strength and potential for aggression, whereas cows are usually more manageable.
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Feb 02, 2024
In various societies, bulls and cows hold different cultural and religious significances. For example, in some cultures, the bull is revered and used in ceremonial practices, while the cow is often considered sacred in other societies, like in Hinduism, and is a symbol of motherhood and fertility. Both animals, therefore, carry rich cultural and symbolic meanings beyond their agricultural value.
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Feb 02, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Physical Characteristics
Larger, more muscular, prominent hump
Smaller, streamlined, less muscular
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Cultural Significance
Often symbolic of strength or fertility
Regarded as nurturing, sometimes sacred
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Feb 02, 2024
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Bull and Cow Definitions
Bull
A bull is an adult male of the cattle species.
The farmer used a bull to sire new calves in his herd.
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Cow
'Cow' is sometimes used to describe something huge or formidable.
The task ahead of them was a cow of a job.
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Bull
Bull can also mean a large, uncastrated male bovine animal.
The bull in the field charged at the red flag.
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Cow
Cow can also mean a large female farm animal kept for milk or meat.
They have a herd of cows for dairy production.
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Bull
'Bull' is also used to describe something that is large or strong.
He admired the bull strength of the weightlifter.
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Cow
In informal language, 'cow' can be used to refer to an unpleasant or disliked woman.
She angrily referred to her neighbor as an old cow.
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Cow
The mature female of certain other large animals, such as elephants, moose, or whales.
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Bull
A person who buys commodities or securities in anticipation of a rise in prices or who tries by speculative purchases to effect such a rise.
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Cow
(uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
The only meat I eat is cow.
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Jan 18, 2024
Cow
(uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
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Cow
(biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
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Cow
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
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Cow
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
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Bull
To push ahead or through forcefully
"He bulls through the press horde that encircles the car" (Scott Turow).
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Cow
To depress with fear; to daunt the spirits or courage of; to overawe.
To vanquish a people already cowed.
THe French king was cowed.
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Bull
(finance) An investor who buys (commodities or securities) in anticipation of a rise in prices.
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Cow
Subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)
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Cow
A cow is an adult female of the cattle species, especially after having given birth to a calf.
The cow grazed peacefully in the pasture.
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Cow
In British slang, 'cow' can express annoyance or frustration.
“Oh cow, I forgot my keys again,” he exclaimed.
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Bull
A man or boy (derived from the Philadelphia English pronunciation of “boy”, which is practically a homophone of “bull”)
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Bull
(obsolete) A drink made by pouring water into a cask that previously held liquor.
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Bull
The male of any species of cattle (Bovidæ); hence, the male of any large quadruped, as the elephant; also, the male of the whale.
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Bull
Taurus, the second of the twelve signs of the zodiac.
At last from Aries rolls the bounteous sun,And the bright Bull receives him.
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Bull
A letter, edict, or respect, of the pope, written in Gothic characters on rough parchment, sealed with a bulla, and dated "a die Incarnationis," i. e., "from the day of the Incarnation." See Apostolical brief, under Brief.
A fresh bull of Leo's had declared how inflexible the court of Rome was in the point of abuses.
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Bull
A grotesque blunder in language; an apparent congruity, but real incongruity, of ideas, contained in a form of expression; so called, perhaps, from the apparent incongruity between the dictatorial nature of the pope's bulls and his professions of humility.
And whereas the papist boasts himself to be a Roman Catholic, it is a mere contradiction, one of the pope's bulls, as if he should say universal particular; a Catholic schimatic.
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Bull
A large and strong and heavyset man;
He was a bull of a man
A thick-skinned bruiser ready to give as good as he got
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Bull
Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull
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Jan 18, 2024
Bull
An investor with an optimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to rise and so buys now for resale later
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Bull
The second sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about April 20 to May 20
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Bull
A formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla)
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Bull
Mature male of various mammals of which the female is called `cow'; e.g. whales or elephants or especially cattle
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Jan 18, 2024
Bull
Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
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Bull
In finance, 'bull' refers to an investor who believes that the market will rise.
As a bull, he always invested in stocks expecting their value to increase.
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Jan 18, 2024
Bull
In informal language, 'bull' can refer to nonsensical or deceitful talk.
He dismissed the rumors as a bunch of bull.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are cows used for meat production?
Yes, cows are also used for meat production in addition to milk.
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What is the temperament of a bull?
Bulls are often more aggressive and territorial compared to cows.
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What is a cow?
A cow is an adult female of the cattle species, usually one that has given birth to a calf.
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How do bulls contribute to farming?
Bulls contribute to farming primarily through breeding and meat production.
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What is a bull market?
A bull market refers to a financial market in which prices are rising or expected to rise.
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Are there different breeds of bulls?
Yes, there are many different breeds of bulls, each with unique characteristics.
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Feb 02, 2024
What is a bull?
A bull is an adult male of the cattle species, often uncastrated.
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Feb 02, 2024
Can bulls produce milk?
No, bulls cannot produce milk as they are the male of the species.
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Do cows have horns?
Cows can have horns, although they are typically smaller than those of bulls.
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Can bulls be used in farming work?
Bulls can be used for farming work, but they require careful handling due to their strength and aggression.
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Feb 02, 2024
Are bulls or cows more aggressive by nature?
Bulls are generally more aggressive by nature compared to cows.
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Feb 02, 2024
How do farmers manage bull behavior?
Farmers manage bull behavior with careful handling, adequate fencing, and sometimes separation from the herd.
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Feb 02, 2024
Are cows considered sacred in any cultures?
Yes, cows are considered sacred in several cultures, including Hinduism.
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Can cows be trained?
Cows can be trained for basic tasks and are known for their ability to recognize people and routines.
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What is the lifespan of a cow?
Cows typically live for around 20 years, depending on the breed and conditions.
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Is it common to use cows for dairy production worldwide?
Yes, cows are the primary source of milk in dairy production globally.
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What products come from cows?
Products from cows include milk, cheese, butter, beef, and leather.
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Are bulls involved in cultural events?
Yes, bulls are involved in various cultural events and practices around the world.
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Feb 02, 2024
What is the role of a cow in a herd?
In a herd, cows primarily focus on grazing, nurturing their calves, and socializing with other cattle.
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How are bulls and cows cared for on a farm?
Bulls and cows on a farm are cared for with adequate food, shelter, veterinary care, and proper management to ensure their health and productivity.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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