Cow vs. Bull — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 19, 2024
A cow is an adult female bovine, primarily raised for milk production, while a bull is an adult male, often kept for breeding or meat.
Difference Between Cow and Bull
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cows are adult female bovines that have given birth to at least one or two calves. Their primary role in agriculture is milk production, which is a vital resource in dairy farming. On the other hand, bulls are adult male bovines that play a crucial role in breeding, ensuring the continuation of the herd and genetic diversity.
While cows are often associated with a docile nature due to their role in milk production, bulls are known for their more aggressive tendencies, which can be attributed to their testosterone levels and breeding instincts. This difference in temperament influences how each is managed on farms.
In terms of physical characteristics, bulls are typically larger and more muscular than cows, with distinctive features such as a larger frame, thicker necks, and the presence of horns, which can be more prominent than those of cows. Cows, being primarily milk producers, have more developed udders, a trait not found in bulls.
The lifespan of cows and bulls can vary, but cows often have a longer productive life in a dairy setting, as they can produce milk for several years. Bulls, while also having a significant lifespan, may have a shorter duration in breeding programs before they are rotated out for new genetics.
In some cultures, cows hold significant religious or symbolic importance, which influences how they are treated and regarded in society. Bulls, while also respected, are often celebrated for their strength and virility, leading to their use in activities like bullfighting or rodeos in certain cultures.
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Comparison Chart
Gender
Female
Male
Primary Role
Milk production
Breeding
Temperament
Generally docile
Often more aggressive
Physical Traits
Smaller, developed udders
Larger, more muscular, prominent horns
Lifespan/Productive Life
Longer productive life in dairy
Shorter breeding program duration
Cultural Significance
High in many cultures, often sacred
Celebrated for strength, used in sports
Compare with Definitions
Cow
An adult female bovine, especially after having given birth.
The farm's cow is a key milk producer.
Bull
An adult male bovine, typically uncastrated.
The bull in the field is used for breeding.
Cow
Raised primarily for dairy production.
Cows on dairy farms are milked daily.
Bull
Known for their role in breeding.
The farm's bull contributes to the herd's genetic diversity.
Cow
Distinguished by developed udders.
The cow's udders are full, indicating it's time for milking.
Bull
Often more aggressive than females.
Approach the bull with caution due to its unpredictable nature.
Cow
Holds significant cultural importance in many regions.
In India, the cow is revered and protected.
Bull
Larger and more muscular than cows.
The bull's muscular frame is evident when compared to cows.
Cow
Generally docile nature.
The children were able to pet the cow without any trouble.
Bull
Used in sports and cultural events in some societies.
Bullfighting is a traditional sport in some countries.
Cow
The mature female of cattle of the genus Bos.
Bull
An adult male bovine mammal.
Cow
The mature female of certain other large animals, such as elephants, moose, or whales.
Bull
A bull is an intact (i.e., not castrated) adult male of the species Bos taurus. More muscular and aggressive than the females of the same species, the cows, bulls have long been an important symbol in many cultures, and play a significant role in beef ranching, dairy farming, and a variety of other cultural activities, including bullfighting and bull riding.
Cow
To frighten or subdue with threats or a show of force.
Bull
An uncastrated male bovine animal
Bull calves
Cow
An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
Cow milk is the most common form of milk in Europe.
Bull
A bullseye
Aim for the bull!
Cow
(uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
The only meat I eat is cow.
Bull
A person who buys shares hoping to sell them at a higher price later.
Cow
(uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
Bull
A papal edict
The Pope issued a bull of excommunication
Cow
(biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
Bull
Stupid or untrue talk or writing; nonsense
Much of what he says is sheer bull
Cow
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Bull
Push or move powerfully or violently
He bulled the motor cycle clear of the tunnel
Cow
(mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
Bull
(of a cow) behave in a manner characteristic of being on heat.
Cow
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
Bull
The uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle.
Cow
The mature female of bovine animals.
Bull
The adult male of certain other large animals, such as alligators, elephants, moose, or whales.
Cow
The female of certain large mammals, as whales, seals, etc.
Bull
An exceptionally large, strong, and aggressive person.
Cow
A chimney cap; a cowl
Bull
An optimist, especially regarding business conditions.
Cow
A wedge, or brake, to check the motion of a machine or car; a chock.
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.
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.
Bull
(Slang) A police officer or detective.
Cow
Female of domestic cattle:
`moo-cow' is a child's term
Bull
Foolish, deceitful, or boastful language.
Cow
Mature female of mammals of which the male is called `bull'
Bull
Insolent talk or behavior.
Cow
A large unpleasant woman
Bull
An official document issued by the pope and sealed with a bulla.
Cow
Subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)
Bull
The bulla used to seal such a document.
Bull
A gross blunder in logical speech or expression.
Bull
See Taurus.
Bull
To push; force.
Bull
To push ahead or through forcefully
"He bulls through the press horde that encircles the car" (Scott Turow).
Bull
Male.
Bull
Large and strong like a bull.
Bull
Characterized by rising prices
A bull market.
Bull
An adult male of domesticated cattle or oxen.
Bull
Specifically, one that is uncastrated.
Bull
A male of domesticated cattle or oxen of any age.
Bull
Any adult male bovine.
Bull
An adult male of certain large mammals, such as whales, elephants, camels and seals.
Bull
A large, strong man.
Bull
(finance) An investor who buys (commodities or securities) in anticipation of a rise in prices.
Bull
(slang) A policeman.
Bull
(US) Specifically, a policeman employed in a railroad yard.
Bull
An elderly lesbian.
Bull
A crown coin; its value, {{5 shillings.}}
Bull
(UK) bullseye
Bull
The central portion of a target, inside the inner and magpie.
Bull
A man or boy (derived from the Philadelphia English pronunciation of “boy”, which is practically a homophone of “bull”)
Bull
Clipping of bullshit
Bull
(obsolete) A drink made by pouring water into a cask that previously held liquor.
Bull
A papal bull, an official document or edict from the Pope.
Bull
A seal affixed to a document, especially a document from the Pope.
Bull
A lie.
Bull
Nonsense.
Bull
(obsolete) A bubble.
Bull
Large and strong, like a bull.
Bull
(of large mammals) Adult male.
A bull elephant
Bull
(finance) Of a market in which prices are rising (compare bear).
Bull
Stupid.
Bull
To force oneself (in a particular direction).
He bulled his way in.
Bull
To be in heat; to be ready for mating with a bull.
Bull
To mate with a cow or heifer.
Bull
To endeavour to raise the market price of.
To bull railroad bonds
Bull
To endeavour to raise prices in.
To bull the market
Bull
To publish in a Papal bull
Bull
To mock; to cheat.
Bull
(intransitive) To lie, to tell untruths.
Bull
To polish boots to a high shine.
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.
Bull
One who, or that which, resembles a bull in character or action.
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.
Bull
A ludicrously false statement; nonsense. Also used as an expletive.
Bull
A seal. See Bulla.
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.
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.
Bull
Of or pertaining to a bull; resembling a bull; male; large; fierce.
Bull
Uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
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
Bull
Obscene words for unacceptable behavior;
I put up with a lot of bullshit from that jerk
What he said was mostly bull
Bull
A serious and ludicrous blunder;
He made a bad bull of the assignment
Bull
Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
Bull
An investor with an optimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to rise and so buys now for resale later
Bull
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Taurus
Bull
The second sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about April 20 to May 20
Bull
The center of a target
Bull
A formal proclamation issued by the pope (usually written in antiquated characters and sealed with a leaden bulla)
Bull
Mature male of various mammals of which the female is called `cow'; e.g. whales or elephants or especially cattle
Bull
Push or force;
He bulled through his demands
Bull
Try to raise the price of stocks through speculative buying
Bull
Talk through one's hat;
The politician was not well prepared for the debate and faked it
Bull
Advance in price;
Stocks were bulling
Common Curiosities
Why are bulls more aggressive than cows?
Bulls are often more aggressive due to their role in breeding and higher testosterone levels.
How can you visually distinguish a cow from a bull?
Bulls are generally larger, more muscular, and have more prominent horns and thicker necks compared to cows.
What makes a cow sacred in some cultures?
Cows are considered sacred in cultures like Hinduism due to their gentle nature and the life-nurturing milk they provide.
What is the main difference between a cow and a bull?
The main difference is gender; cows are female, and bulls are male.
Do cows and bulls have different roles on a farm?
Yes, cows are primarily for milk production, while bulls are kept for breeding purposes.
Are there specific breeds of cows and bulls suited for different purposes?
Yes, there are dairy breeds for milk and beef breeds for meat, each with characteristics suited to their purpose.
Can both cows and bulls produce milk?
Only cows produce milk, especially after giving birth to a calf.
What happens to cows and bulls as they age?
Their role on the farm may change, with older cows retiring from milk production and bulls from breeding programs.
Is it true that cows have a longer productive life than bulls?
In a dairy context, yes, cows can have a longer productive life due to their ability to produce milk for several years.
Are bulls used in any cultural or sporting events?
Yes, bulls are used in events like bullfighting and rodeos in some cultures.
Do all cows and bulls have horns?
Many do, but the presence and size of horns can vary by breed, and some farmers choose to dehorn for safety.
What is the significance of a cow's udder?
The udder is the mammary gland that produces milk, a key feature distinguishing cows from bulls.
How does the diet of a cow differ from that of a bull?
The diet may be similar, but bulls might require more energy-dense foods due to their larger size and muscle mass.
Can bulls be kept for reasons other than breeding?
Yes, bulls can also be raised for meat or used in competitive sports and cultural ceremonies.
How do farmers manage the more aggressive nature of bulls?
Farmers use secure enclosures and practice caution when handling bulls to manage their aggressive tendencies.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
