Cog vs. Gear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 7, 2023
A cog is a tooth on the rim of a wheel in a gear system, while a gear is the entire wheel that interacts with other gears to transmit motion.
Difference Between Cog and Gear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cog refers to the individual teeth on the perimeter of a wheel in a gear system. These cogs are essential for meshing with other wheels in the system, enabling the transfer of motion. A gear, on the other hand, refers to the whole wheel, complete with teeth, that interacts with other gears in a machine.
In common usage, people often interchange the terms cog and gear, but technically they refer to different components of a mechanism. A gear is a complete unit that can consist of multiple cogs. The cogs are the protruding elements that engage with cogs on another gear, allowing for the transfer of mechanical energy.
The primary function of a cog is to interlock with cogs on another gear. This interaction allows for the transformation and distribution of mechanical energy. The gear, as a whole, might be part of a larger system, like in a clock or a car's transmission, serving a specific function within that system.
Both cogs and gears are crucial components in various types of machinery, from simple hand-cranked devices to complex automotive systems. However, while a broken or worn cog might make a gear ineffective, replacing an individual cog is often not possible. Instead, the entire gear is typically replaced.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Tooth on a wheel
Entire wheel with teeth
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Function
Interlock with other cogs
Interact with other gears
Replaceability
Usually not individually
As a complete unit
Part of a Larger Unit
Yes (part of a gear)
Often part of a gear system
Common Usage
Often incorrectly used for gear
Correct term for the entire wheel
Compare with Definitions
Cog
A cog is a tooth on the rim of a wheel.
The cog meshed smoothly with the adjacent wheel.
Gear
A gear is a rotating wheel with teeth.
The gear in the clock had to be replaced.
Cog
A cog is essential for transmitting mechanical energy.
Without the cog, the wheel wouldn't be able to interact with other gears.
Gear
A gear is made up of multiple cogs.
The gear's cogs were precisely machined.
Cog
Cogs are part of a gear in a mechanical system.
One damaged cog can affect the whole gear's performance.
Gear
A gear can be replaced as a complete unit.
We replaced the damaged gear in the car.
Cog
A cog is replaceable only as part of a gear.
We had to replace the entire gear because one cog was broken.
Gear
Gears interact with other gears to transmit motion.
The gear meshed well with its counterpart.
Cog
A cog serves to interlock with other wheels.
The cog’s design ensured efficient power transfer.
Gear
Gears are used in various types of machinery.
The gear is a crucial part of the car's transmission.
Cog
A wheel or bar with a series of projections on its edge, which transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel or bar
The cogs and springs of a watch
Gear
A gear is a rotating circular machine part having cut teeth or, in the case of a cogwheel or gearwheel, inserted teeth (called cogs), which mesh with another toothed part to transmit torque. A gear may also be known informally as a cog.
Cog
A broadly built medieval ship with a rounded prow and stern.
Gear
A toothed wheel that works with others to alter the relation between the speed of a driving mechanism (such as the engine of a vehicle) and the speed of the driven parts (the wheels)
A racing bike with ten-speed gears
Cog
Copy (someone else's work) illicitly or without acknowledgement
He's away cogging his homework from Aggie's wee girl
Gear
Equipment or apparatus that is used for a particular purpose
Camping gear
Cog
One of a series of teeth, as on the rim of a wheel or gear, whose engagement transmits successive motive force to a corresponding wheel or gear.
Gear
Design or adjust the gears in a machine to give a specified speed or power output
The vehicle's geared too high for serious off-road use
Cog
A cogwheel.
Gear
A toothed machine part, such as a wheel or cylinder, that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction.
Cog
A subordinate member of an organization who performs necessary but usually minor or routine functions.
Gear
A complete assembly that performs a specific function in a larger machine.
Cog
An instance of cheating; a swindle.
Gear
A transmission configuration for a specific ratio of engine to axle torque in a motor vehicle.
Cog
A tenon projecting from a wooden beam designed to fit into an opening in another beam to form a joint.
Gear
Equipment, such as tools or clothing, used for a particular activity
Fishing gear.
Cog
To load or manipulate (dice) fraudulently.
Gear
Clothing and accessories
The latest gear for teenagers.
Cog
To cheat, especially at dice.
Gear
Personal belongings, including clothing
Keeps her gear in a trunk.
Cog
To join with tenons.
Gear
The harness for a horse.
Cog
A tooth on a gear.
Gear
A ship's rigging.
Cog
A gear; a cogwheel.
Gear
A sailor's personal effects.
Cog
An unimportant individual in a greater system.
Gear
To equip with gears.
Cog
(carpentry) A projection or tenon at the end of a beam designed to fit into a matching opening of another piece of wood to form a joint.
Gear
To connect by gears.
Cog
(mining) One of the rough pillars of stone or coal left to support the roof of a mine.
Gear
To put into gear.
Cog
(historical) A clinker-built, flat-bottomed, square-rigged mediaeval ship of burden, or war with a round, bulky hull and a single mast, typically 15 to 25 meters in length.
Gear
To adjust or adapt so as to make suitable
Geared the speech to a conservative audience.
Cog
(by extension) A small fishing boat.
Gear
To provide with gear; equip.
Cog
A trick or deception; a falsehood.
Gear
To come into or be in gear.
Cog
To furnish with a cog or cogs.
Gear
To shift a transmission
Geared down to take the curve.
Cog
(intransitive) Of an electric motor or generator, to snap preferentially to certain positions when not energized.
Gear
To become adjusted so as to fit or blend.
Cog
To load (a die) so that it can be used to cheat.
Gear
(uncountable) Equipment or paraphernalia, especially that used for an athletic endeavor.
Cog
To cheat; to play or gamble fraudulently.
Gear
Clothing; garments.
Cog
To seduce, or draw away, by adulation, artifice, or falsehood; to wheedle; to cozen; to cheat.
Gear
(obsolete) Goods; property; household items.
Cog
To plagiarize.
Gear
(countable) A wheel with grooves (teeth) engraved on the outer circumference, such that two such devices can interlock and convey motion from one to the other; a gear wheel.
Cog
To obtrude or thrust in, by falsehood or deception; to palm off.
To cog in a word
Gear
A particular combination or choice of interlocking gears, such that a particular gear ratio is achieved.
Cog
To seduce, or draw away, by adulation, artifice, or falsehood; to wheedle; to cozen; to cheat.
I'll . . . cog their hearts from them.
Gear
A configuration of the transmission of a motor car so as to achieve a particular ratio of engine to axle torque.
Cog
To obtrude or thrust in, by falsehood or deception; as, to cog in a word; to palm off.
Fustian tragedies . . . have, by concerted applauses, been cogged upon the town for masterpieces.
To cog a die, to load so as to direct its fall; to cheat in playing dice.
Gear
(aviation) landing gear
Gear-up landing
Get the gear down quick!
Cog
To deceive; to cheat; to play false; to lie; to wheedle; to cajole.
For guineas in other men's breeches,Your gamesters will palm and will cog.
Gear
Recreational drugs, including steroids.
Cog
To furnish with a cog or cogs.
Gear
Stuff.
Cog
A trick or deception; a falsehood.
Gear
(obsolete) Business matters; affairs; concern.
Cog
A tooth, cam, or catch for imparting or receiving motion, as on a gear wheel, or a lifter or wiper on a shaft; originally, a separate piece of wood set in a mortise in the face of a wheel.
Gear
Anything worthless; nonsense; rubbish.
Cog
A kind of tenon on the end of a joist, received into a notch in a bearing timber, and resting flush with its upper surface.
Gear
To provide with gearing; to fit with gears in order to achieve a desired gear ratio.
Cog
One of the rough pillars of stone or coal left to support the roof of a mine.
Gear
To be in, or come into, gear.
Cog
A small fishing boat.
Gear
To dress; to put gear on; to harness.
Cog
Tooth on the rim of gear wheel
Gear
(usually with to or toward(s)) To design or devise (something) so as to be suitable (for a particular type of person or a particular purpose).
This shop is not really geared towards people of our age.
They have geared the hotel mainly at tourists.
Cog
Roll steel ingots
Gear
(finance) To borrow money in order to invest it in assets.
Cog
Join pieces of wood with cogs
Gear
Great or fantastic
Gear
Clothing; garments; ornaments.
Array thyself in thy most gorgeous gear.
Gear
Goods; property; household stuff.
Homely gear and common ware.
Gear
Whatever is prepared for use or wear; manufactured stuff or material.
Clad in a vesture of unknown gear.
Gear
The harness of horses or cattle; trapping.
Gear
Warlike accouterments.
Gear
Manner; custom; behavior.
Gear
Business matters; affairs; concern.
Thus go they both together to their gear.
Gear
A toothed wheel, or cogwheel; as, a spur gear, or a bevel gear; also, toothed wheels, collectively.
Gear
See 1st Jeer (b).
Gear
Anything worthless; stuff; nonsense; rubbish.
That servant of his that confessed and uttered this gear was an honest man.
Gear
To dress; to put gear on; to harness.
Gear
To provide with gearing.
Gear
To adapt toward some specific purpose; as, they geared their advertising for maximum effect among teenagers.
Gear
To be in, or come into, gear.
Gear
A toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
Gear
A mechanism for transmitting motion by gears for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle)
Gear
Equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.
Gear
Set the level or character of;
She pitched her speech to the teenagers in the audience
Common Curiosities
What is a Gear?
A gear is the entire wheel with teeth that interacts with other gears.
What is a Cog?
A cog is a tooth on the rim of a wheel in a gear system.
Do all Gears have Cogs?
Yes, gears are made up of multiple cogs.
Is a Cog the same as a Gear?
No, a cog is a part of a gear, not the entire wheel.
What is the function of a Gear?
The function of a gear is to interact with other gears to transmit mechanical energy.
Can a Cog be replaced individually?
Usually not, replacing a cog generally means replacing the entire gear.
Where are Gears found?
Gears are found in various types of machinery, from clocks to cars.
Can a Gear be replaced?
Yes, a gear can be replaced as a whole unit.
How do Cogs work?
Cogs work by interlocking with cogs on another gear.
Is the term Cog often misused?
Yes, the term cog is often incorrectly used to refer to an entire gear.
Are Cogs important?
Yes, cogs are essential for the proper functioning of gears.
How do Gears work?
Gears work by interacting with other gears to transmit motion.
What is the function of a Cog?
The function of a cog is to engage with cogs on another gear to transmit mechanical energy.
Are Gears important?
Yes, gears are critical components in many types of machinery.
Where are Cogs found?
Cogs are found as parts of gears in various mechanical systems.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
