Wire vs. Cable — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A "wire" is a single, usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. A "cable" is a thick rope of wire or non-metallic fiber, typically used for construction, mooring ships, or transmitting electricity.
Difference Between Wire and Cable
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Key Differences
Both "wire" and "cable" play pivotal roles in modern society, connecting, anchoring, and transmitting power or data. While they are used interchangeably in casual conversation, they are distinct in their construction and applications.
A "wire" is a singular strand made of conductive material, typically metal. It is malleable and can be thin or thick based on its application. Wires are fundamental components in various systems, be it in electronics, where they connect circuit elements, or in architecture, where they reinforce structures. Their simple structure makes them versatile.
On the other hand, a "cable" typically comprises multiple wires bundled together, enveloped by insulation or protective sheathing. The complexity of a cable makes it ideal for tasks requiring durability or the simultaneous transmission of multiple data or power channels. For instance, the cable used in networking or telecommunications often has several wires inside to handle data streams.
In essence, the primary distinction between a "wire" and a "cable" is their composition. A wire is singular, while a cable is a collection of wires or fibers. While both serve to transmit energy or data, cables are often chosen for tasks demanding robustness or multifunctionality.
Comparison Chart
Composition
Single strand
Multiple strands or fibers
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Protection
Typically lacks outer insulation
Often has insulating or protective sheathing
Usage
Simple electrical or structural applications
Complex data or power transmission
Flexibility
Highly flexible
Depends on construction but can be rigid
Diameter
Generally thinner
Thicker due to multiple components
Compare with Definitions
Wire
A conductive material used to transmit electricity.
The exposed wire could be a safety hazard.
Cable
A heavy-duty cord for transmitting power.
The construction site needed a long power cable.
Wire
A medium for sending telegraphic messages.
He sent a wire to announce his arrival.
Cable
A system of broadcasting television signals.
They subscribed to a new cable service.
Wire
A hidden listening device.
The suspect was wearing a wire during the meeting.
Cable
A strong, large-diameter, heavy steel or fiber rope.
Wire
A wire is a single usually cylindrical, flexible strand or rod of metal. Wires are used to bear mechanical loads or electricity and telecommunications signals.
Cable
Something that resembles such steel or fiber rope.
Wire
Metal that has been drawn out into a strand or rod, used chiefly for structural support, as in concrete, and for conducting electricity, when it is usually insulated with a rubber or plastic cladding
Bought some wire at the hardware store.
Cable
(Electricity) A bound or sheathed group of mutually insulated conductors.
Wire
A strand or rod of such material, or a cable made of such strands twisted together.
Cable
A sheathed bundle of optical fibers.
Wire
Fencing made of wire, especially barbed wire.
Cable
A heavy rope or chain for mooring or anchoring a ship.
Wire
Wires The system of strings employed in manipulating puppets in a show.
Cable
A cable length.
Wire
(Slang) A hidden microphone, as on a person's body or in a building.
Cable
Cable television.
Wire
A telephone or telegraph connection
Who is on the wire?.
Cable
A similar service providing internet access.
Wire
A telegraph service
Sent the message by wire.
Cable
A cablegram.
Wire
A telegram or cablegram
"Mac got a wire from Milly that Uncle Tim was dead" (John Dos Passos).
Cable
Of or relating to a subscription television or internet service that uses cables to carry signals between local distribution antennas and the subscriber's location.
Wire
A wire service
The news came over the wire.
Cable
To send a cablegram to.
Wire
A pin in the print head of a computer printer.
Cable
To transmit (a message) by telegraph.
Wire
The screen on which sheets of paper are formed in a papermaking machine.
Cable
To supply or fasten with a cable or cables.
Wire
(Sports) The finish line of a racetrack.
Cable
To send a cablegram.
Wire
(Slang) A pickpocket.
Cable
(material) A long object used to make a physical connection.
Wire
To equip with a system of electrical wires
Wire a house.
Cable
A strong, large-diameter wire or rope, or something resembling such a rope.
Wire
To attach or connect with electrical wire or cable
Is the printer wired to the computer?.
Cable
An assembly of two or more cable-laid ropes.
Wire
To attach or fasten with wire
Surgeons wired his shoulder together.
Cable
An assembly of two or more wires, used for electrical power or data circuits; one or more and/or the whole may be insulated.
Wire
(Slang) To install electronic eavesdropping equipment in (a room, for example).
Cable
(nautical) A strong rope or chain used to moor or anchor a ship.
Wire
To send by telegraph
Wired her congratulations.
Cable
(communications) A system for transmitting television or Internet services over a network of coaxial or fibreoptic cables.
I tried to watch the movie last night but my cable was out.
Wire
To send a telegram to (someone).
Cable
(TV) cable television, broadcast over the above network, not by antenna.
Wire
(Computers) To implement (a capability) through logic circuitry that is permanently connected within a computer or calculator and therefore not subject to change by programming.
Cable
A telegram, notably when sent by (submarine) telegraph cable.
Wire
To determine genetically; hardwire
"It is plausible that the basic organization of grammar is wired into the child's brain" (Steven Pinker).
Cable
(nautical) A unit of length equal to one tenth of a nautical mile.
Wire
To send a telegram.
Cable
100 fathoms, 600 imperial feet, approximately 185 m.
Wire
(uncountable) Metal formed into a thin, even thread, now usually by being drawn through a hole in a steel die.
Cable
(finance) The currency pair British Pound against United States Dollar.
Wire
A piece of such material; a thread or slender rod of metal, a cable.
Cable
(architecture) A moulding, shaft of a column, or any other member of convex, rounded section, made to resemble the spiral twist of a rope.
Wire
A metal conductor that carries electricity.
Cable
(knitting) A textural pattern achieved by passing groups of stitches over one another.
Wire
A fence made of usually barbed wire.
Cable
(transitive) To provide with cable(s)
Wire
(sports) A finish line of a racetrack.
Cable
(transitive) To fasten (as if) with cable(s)
Wire
(informal) A telecommunication wire or cable.
Cable
(transitive) To wrap wires to form a cable
Wire
(by extension) An electric telegraph; a telegram.
Cable
(transitive) To send a telegram, news, etc., by cable
Wire
(slang) A hidden listening device on the person of an undercover operative for the purposes of obtaining incriminating spoken evidence.
Cable
(intransitive) To communicate by cable
Wire
(informal) A deadline or critical endpoint.
This election is going to go right to the wire
Cable
To ornament with cabling.
Wire
(billiards) A wire strung with beads and hung horizontally above or near the table which is used to keep score.
Cable
(knitting) To create cable stitches.
Wire
Any of the system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show; hence, the network of hidden influences controlling the action of a person or organization; strings.
To pull the wires for office
Cable
A large, strong rope or chain, of considerable length, used to retain a vessel at anchor, and for other purposes. It is made of hemp, of steel wire, or of iron links.
Wire
A pickpocket, especially one who targets women.
Cable
A rope of steel wire, or copper wire, usually covered with some protecting or insulating substance; as, the cable of a suspension bridge; a telegraphic cable.
Wire
(slang) A covert signal sent between people cheating in a card game.
Cable
A molding, shaft of a column, or any other member of convex, rounded section, made to resemble the spiral twist of a rope; - called also cable molding.
Wire
(Scotland) A knitting needle.
Cable
To fasten with a cable.
Wire
The slender shaft of the plumage of certain birds.
Cable
To ornament with cabling. See Cabling.
Wire
To fasten with wire, especially with reference to wine bottles, corks, or fencing.
We need to wire that hole in the fence.
Cable
To telegraph by a submarine cable
Wire
To string on a wire.
Wire beads
Cable
A telegram sent abroad
Wire
To equip with wires for use with electricity.
Do you know how to wire a plug?
Cable
A conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
Wire
To connect, embed, incorporate, or include (something) into (something else) by or as if by wires:
Cable
A very strong thick rope made of twisted hemp or steel wire
Wire
To add (something) into a system (especially an electrical system) by means of wiring.
I'll just wire your camera to the computer screen.
Cable
A nautical unit of depth
Wire
To add or connect (something) into a system as if with wires (for example, with nerves).
Cable
Television that is transmitted over cable directly to the receiver
Wire
To connect, involve or embed (something) deeply or intimately into (something else, such as an organization or political scene), so that it is keeping up with current information about (the thing) or has insinuated itself into (the thing).
Cable
A television system transmitted over cables
Wire
To set or predetermine (someone's personality or behaviour, or an organization's culture) in a particular way.
There's no use trying to get Sarah to be less excitable. That's just the way she's wired.
Cable
Send cables, wires, or telegrams
Wire
To send a message or monetary funds to another person through a telecommunications system, formerly predominantly by telegraph.
Urgent: please wire me another 100 pounds sterling.
The detective wired ahead, hoping that the fugitive would be caught at the railway station.
Cable
Fasten with a cable;
Cable trees
Wire
(slang) To make someone tense or psyched up. See also adjective wired.
Coffee late at night wires me good and proper.
Cable
A thick rope of wire or fibers.
The bridge was supported by strong cables.
Wire
(slang) To install eavesdropping equipment.
We wired the suspect's house.
Cable
A bundle of wires used for electrical or data transmission.
He plugged the ethernet cable into his computer.
Wire
To snare by means of a wire or wires.
Cable
A message transmitted via telegraph.
He received an urgent cable from overseas.
Wire
To place (a ball) so that the wire of a wicket prevents a successful shot.
Wire
A thread or slender rod of metal; a metallic substance formed to an even thread by being passed between grooved rollers, or drawn through holes in a plate of steel.
Wire
A telegraph wire or cable; hence, an electric telegraph; as, to send a message by wire.
Wire
The system of wires used to operate the puppets in a puppet show;
Wire
One who picks women's pockets.
Wire
A knitting needle.
Wire
A wire stretching across over a race track at the judges' stand, to mark the line at which the races end.
Wire
To bind with wire; to attach with wires; to apply wire to; as, to wire corks in bottling liquors.
Wire
To put upon a wire; as, to wire beads.
Wire
To snare by means of a wire or wires.
Wire
To send (a message) by telegraph.
Wire
To place (a ball) so that the wire of a wicket prevents a successful shot.
Wire
To equip with a system of wiring, especially for supply of electrical power or communication; as, to wire an office for networking the computers; to wire a building with 220-Volt current.
Wire
To equip with an electronic system for eavesdropping; to bug; as, to wire the office of a mob boss; to wire an informant so as to record his conversations.
Wire
To pass like a wire; to flow in a wirelike form, or in a tenuous stream.
Wire
To send a telegraphic message.
Wire
Ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
Wire
A metal conductor that carries electricity over a distance
Wire
The finishing line on a racetrack
Wire
A message transmitted by telegraph
Wire
Provide with electrical circuits;
Wire the addition to the house
Wire
Send cables, wires, or telegrams
Wire
Fasten with wire;
The columns were wired to the beams for support
Wire
String on a wire;
Wire beads
Wire
Equip for use with electricity;
Electrify an appliance
Wire
A slender thread-like piece made of metal.
He wrapped a thin wire around the package.
Wire
Material used in making fences or barriers.
The yard was enclosed by a wire fence.
Common Curiosities
Why do cables have multiple wires?
Cables have multiple wires to handle multiple channels of data or power or to enhance durability.
Is "barbed wire" a type of cable?
No, barbed wire is a type of wire with barbs at intervals.
Are all wires made of metal?
While many wires are metallic, some can be made of other materials like carbon or certain plastics.
Which is more flexible, a wire or a cable?
Generally, a single wire is more flexible, but flexibility in cables varies based on construction.
Is "jumper wire" a type of cable?
No, jumper wire is a single wire used in electronics to make temporary connections.
Can a wire be insulated?
Yes, a wire can have insulation, especially in electrical applications.
What's the outer protective layer of a cable called?
The protective layer is often called sheathing or insulation.
Is a "coaxial cable" a type of wire?
No, a coaxial cable is a type of cable with a central wire conductor surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield.
Is a cable just a thick wire?
No, a cable is typically composed of multiple wires or fibers bundled together.
What is a "fiber optic cable"?
A fiber optic cable contains thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit data using light.
Do both wires and cables come in different gauges or sizes?
Yes, both wires and cables come in varying gauges or diameters, often determined by their use.
Why might one use a cable over a wire in construction?
Cables offer more strength and durability, especially when supporting weight or resisting environmental factors.
Can both wires and cables be used for transmitting data?
Yes, both can transmit data, but cables, especially multi-wire ones, are often preferred for complex data transmission.
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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.
