Cord vs. String — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A cord is a thick, strong rope or strand, often made of twisted fibers. A string is a thin cord made of twisted fibers, used for tying, fastening, or pulling.
Difference Between Cord and String
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cord is typically thicker and used where strength is needed; it's made of multiple strands twisted or braided together. Its thickness makes it suitable for tasks like securing heavy objects or as part of clothing, like cords for hoodies. The term "cord" also has applications in technology, such as an electrical cord, which denotes a thicker, protected cable.
String, on the other hand, is thinner and often used for more delicate tasks. It's commonly utilized for sewing, wrapping small packages, or as a component in arts and crafts. Its slender profile makes it less suitable for heavy-duty applications but perfect for precision work, like stringing beads or tying small knots.
Cord implies a certain robustness and is often associated with durability and strength. It can also have specific uses in different contexts, such as the spinal cord in anatomy or corded phones, where it suggests a lifeline or connection. The texture of a cord is also palpably different, often rougher and more substantial to the touch.
String can refer to a type of light, slender cord but is also used in contexts like string theory, string instruments, and string algorithms, where the concept of connection and sequence is central. Unlike the robust nature of cords, strings can signify delicacy, precision, and a sequence of characters or elements.
When you purchase a cord, it is often with the intention of durability, like a leather cord for crafting jewelry. String, however, is bought for its versatility and ease of use, like kitchen string for trussing poultry. In each use, the physical properties of the material dictate whether it's a cord or a string.
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Comparison Chart
Thickness
Generally thicker
Usually thinner
Strength
Stronger, for heavier loads
Less strength, for lighter tasks
Usage
Heavy-duty tasks, technology
Sewing, crafts, delicate tasks
Context
Durable goods, electricals
Musical instruments, algorithms
Material
Twisted/braided fibers or cables
Twisted fibers, often soft
Compare with Definitions
Cord
A thick, strong rope
He used a cord to tie the luggage to the roof rack.
String
To thread items together
She strung the beads to make a necklace.
Cord
A slender length of flexible material usually made of twisted strands or fibers and used to bind, tie, connect, or support. See Usage Note at chord1.
String
Material made of drawn-out, twisted fiber, used for fastening, tying, or lacing.
Cord
An insulated flexible electric wire fitted with a plug or plugs.
String
A cord stretched on an instrument and struck, plucked, or bowed to produce tones.
Cord
Also chord(Anatomy)A long ropelike structure, such as a nerve or tendon
A spinal cord.
String
Strings The section of a band or orchestra composed of stringed instruments, especially violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
Cord
A unit of quantity for cut fuel wood, equal to a stack measuring 4 × 4 × 8 feet or 128 cubic feet (3.62 cubic meters).
String
Strings Stringed instruments or their players considered as a group.
Cord
To pile (wood) in cords.
String
Something resembling a string or appearing as a long, thin line
Limp strings of hair.
Cord
A long, thin, flexible length of twisted yarns (strands) of fiber (rope, for example); uncountable such a length of twisted strands considered as a commodity.
The burglar tied up the victim with a cord.
He looped some cord around his fingers.
String
A set of objects threaded together or attached on a string
A string of beads.
Cord
A small flexible electrical conductor composed of wires insulated separately or in bundles and assembled together usually with an outer cover; the electrical cord of a lamp, sweeper (US vacuum cleaner), or other appliance.
String
A number of objects arranged in a line
A string of islands.
Cord
A unit of measurement for firewood, equal to 128 cubic feet (4 × 4 × 8 feet), composed of logs and/or split logs four feet long and none over eight inches diameter. It is usually seen as a stack four feet high by eight feet long.
String
(Computers) A set of consecutive characters.
Cord
(anatomy) Any structure having the appearance of a cord, especially a tendon or nerve.
Spermatic cord; spinal cord; umbilical cord; vocal cords
String
A series of similar or related acts, events, or items
A string of victories.
Cord
A string, or small rope, composed of several strands twisted together.
String
A set of animals, especially racehorses, belonging to a single owner; a stable.
Cord
A solid measure, equivalent to 128 cubic feet; a pile of wood, or other coarse material, eight feet long, four feet high, and four feet broad; - originally measured with a cord or line.
String
A scattered group of businesses under a single ownership or management
A string of boutiques.
Cord
Fig.: Any moral influence by which persons are caught, held, or drawn, as if by a cord; an enticement; as, the cords of the wicked; the cords of sin; the cords of vanity.
The knots that tangle human creeds,The wounding cords that bind and strainThe heart until it bleeds.
String
A group of players ranked according to ability within a team
He made the second string.
Cord
See Chord.
String
(Informal) A limiting or hidden condition. Often used in the plural
A gift with no strings attached.
Cord
To arrange (wood, etc.) in a pile for measurement by the cord.
String
To fit or furnish with strings or a string
String a guitar.
String a tennis racket.
Cord
A line made of twisted fibers or threads;
The bundle was tied with a cord
String
To stretch out or extend
String a wire across a room.
Cord
A unit of amount of wood cut for burning; 128 cubic feet
String
To thread on a string
String popcorn.
Cord
A light insulated conductor for household use
String
To arrange in a line or series
Strung the words into a sentence.
Cord
Stack in cords;
Cord firewood
String
To extend or progress in a string, line, or succession
"We followed the others stringing through the narrow paved paths" (Susan Richards Shreve).
Cord
An insulated electrical cable
She unplugged the cord from the socket.
String
(countable) A long, thin and flexible structure made from threads twisted together.
Cord
A measure of cut wood
They bought a cord of wood for the winter.
String
(uncountable) Such a structure considered as a substance.
Cord
A ribbed fabric
His jacket was made of fine corduroy, which is often called cord.
String
(musical instrument) A segment of wire (typically made of plastic or metal) or other material used as vibrating element on a musical instrument.
A violinstring
A bowstring
Cord
A hangman's rope.
String
(sports) A length of nylon or other material on the head of a racquet.
Cord
An influence, feeling, or force that binds or restrains; a bond or tie.
String
A thread or cord on which a number of objects or parts are strung or arranged in close and orderly succession; hence, a line or series of things arranged on a thread, or as if so arranged.
A string of shells or beads
A string of sausages
Cord
A raised rib on the surface of cloth.
String
(countable) A series of items or events.
A string of successes
Cord
A fabric or cloth with such ribs.
String
(countable) The members of a sports team or squad regarded as most likely to achieve success. (Perhaps metaphorical as the "strings" that hold the squad together.) Often first string, second string etc.
Cord
Cords Pants made of corduroy.
String
An ordered sequence of text characters stored consecutively in memory and capable of being processed as a single entity.
Cord
To fasten or bind with a cord
Corded the stack of old newspapers and placed them in the recycling bin.
String
The stringed instruments as a section of an orchestra, especially those played by a bow, or the persons playing those instruments.
Cord
To furnish with a cord.
String
(transitive) To put (items) on a string.
You can string these beads on to this cord to make a colorful necklace.
Cord
(figuratively) Any influence by which persons are caught, held, or drawn, as if by a cord.
String
(transitive) To put strings on (something).
It is difficult to string a tennis racket properly.
Cord
Dated form of chord: musical sense.
String
A thread or cord on which a number of objects or parts are strung or arranged in close and orderly succession; hence, a line or series of things arranged on a thread, or as if so arranged; a succession; a concatenation; a chain; as, a string of shells or beads; a string of dried apples; a string of houses; a string of arguments.
Cord
To furnish with cords
String
The cord of a musical instrument, as of a piano, harp, or violin; specifically (pl.), the stringed instruments of an orchestra, in distinction from the wind instruments; as, the strings took up the theme.
Me softer airs befit, and softer stringsOf lute, or viol still.
Cord
To tie or fasten with cords
String
The line or cord of a bow.
He twangs the grieving string.
Cord
To flatten a book during binding
String
In various indoor games, a score or tally, sometimes, as in American billiard games, marked by buttons threaded on a string or wire.
Cord
To arrange (wood, etc.) in a pile for measurement by the cord.
String
A sequence of similar objects or events sufficiently close in time or space to be perceived as a group; a string of accidents; a string of restaurants on a highway.
Cord
Any structure having the appearance of a cord, esp. a tendon or a nerve. See under Spermatic, Spinal, Umbilical, Vocal.
String
To put on a string; to file; as, to string beads.
Cord
To bind with a cord; to fasten with cords; to connect with cords; to ornament or finish with a cord or cords, as a garment.
String
To hoax; josh; jolly; often used with along; as, we strung him along all day until he realized we were kidding.
Cord
A cut pile fabric with vertical ribs; usually made of cotton
String
A lightweight cord
Cord
Bind or tie with a cord
String
Stringed instruments that are played with a bow;
The strings played superlatively well
Cord
Anatomy reference
The patient sustained an injury to his spinal cord.
String
A tightly stretched cord of wire or gut, which makes sound when plucked, struck, or bowed
String
A sequentially ordered set of things or events or ideas in which each successive member is related to the preceding;
A string of islands
Train of mourners
A train of thought
String
A linear sequence of symbols (characters or words or phrases)
String
A tie consisting of a cord that goes through a seam around an opening;
He pulled the drawstring and closed the bag
String
A collection of objects threaded on a single strand
String
A necklace made by a stringing objects together;
A string of beads
A strand of pearls
String
Thread on or as if on a string;
String pearls on a string
The child drew glass beads on a string
Thread dried cranberries
String
Add as if on a string;
String these ideas together
String up these songs and you'll have a musical
String
Provide with strings;
String my guitar
String
A thin rope of twisted fibers
She tied the package with a piece of string.
String
For musical instruments
He replaced the broken string on his guitar.
String
Programming term
The function returns a string of characters.
String
Series or chain of things
She had a string of pearls around her neck.
String
A strand or cord of such material.
String
A plant fiber.
String
(Physics) One of the extremely minute objects that form the basis of string theory.
String
A complete game consisting of ten frames in bowling.
String
A stringboard.
String
A stringcourse.
String
(Games) The balk line in billiards.
String
To fasten, tie, or hang with a string or strings
String a hammock between trees.
String
To strip (vegetables) of fibers.
String
(countable) A thread
String
(countable) Any similar long, thin and flexible object.
String
(countable) A cohesive substance taking the form of a string.
The string of spittle dangling from his chin was most unattractive
String
(countable) In various games and competitions, a certain number of turns at play, of rounds, etc.
String
(collective) A drove of horses, or a group of racehorses kept by one owner or at one stable.
String
A stringed instrument.
String
The conditions and limitations in a contract collectively.
No strings attached
String
The main object of study in string theory, a branch of theoretical physics.
String
(slang) Cannabis or marijuana.
String
(billiards) Part of the game of billiards, where the order of the play is determined by testing who can get a ball closest to the bottom rail by shooting it onto the end rail.
String
The buttons strung on a wire by which the score is kept.
String
The points made in a game of billiards.
String
The line from behind and over which the cue ball must be played after being out of play, as by being pocketed or knocked off the table; also called the string line.
String
A strip, as of leather, by which the covers of a book are held together.
String
(archaic) A fibre, as of a plant; a little fibrous root.
String
(archaic) A nerve or tendon of an animal body.
String
(shipbuilding) An inside range of ceiling planks, corresponding to the sheer strake on the outside and bolted to it.
String
(botany) The tough fibrous substance that unites the valves of the pericarp of leguminous plants.
The strings of beans
String
(mining) A small, filamentous ramification of a metallic vein.
String
(architecture) A stringcourse.
String
A hoax; a fake story.
String
Synonym of stable
String
(oil drilling) A column of drill pipe that transmits drilling fluid (via the mud pumps) and torque (via the kelly drive or top drive) to the drill bit.
String
(intransitive) To form into a string or strings, as a substance which is stretched, or people who are moving along, etc.
String
To drive the ball against the end of the table and back, in order to determine which player is to open the game.
String
(birdwatching) To deliberately state that a certain bird is present when it is not; to knowingly mislead other birders about the occurrence of a bird, especially a rarity; to misidentify a common bird as a rare species.
String
A small cord, a line, a twine, or a slender strip of leather, or other substance, used for binding together, fastening, or tying things; a cord, larger than a thread and smaller than a rope; as, a shoe string; a bonnet string; a silken string.
Round Ormond's knee thou tiest the mystic string.
String
A strip, as of leather, by which the covers of a book are held together.
String
A fiber, as of a plant; a little, fibrous root.
Duckweed putteth forth a little string into the water, from the bottom.
String
A nerve or tendon of an animal body.
The string of his tongue was loosed.
String
An inside range of ceiling planks, corresponding to the sheer strake on the outside and bolted to it.
String
The tough fibrous substance that unites the valves of the pericap of leguminous plants, and which is readily pulled off; as, the strings of beans.
String
A small, filamentous ramification of a metallic vein.
String
Same as Stringcourse.
String
The points made in a game.
String
The line from behind and over which the cue ball must be played after being out of play as by being pocketed or knocked off the table; - called also string line.
String
A hoax; a trumped-up or "fake" story.
String
A one-dimensional string-like mathematical object used as a means of representing the properties of fundamental particles in string theory, one theory of particle physics; such hypothetical objects are one-dimensional and very small (10-33 cm) but exist in more than four spatial dimensions, and have various modes of vibration. Considering particles as strings avoids some of the problems of treating particles as points, and allows a unified treatment of gravity along with the other three forces (electromagnetism, the weak force, and the strong force) in a manner consistent with quantum mechanics. See also string theory.
String
To furnish with strings; as, to string a violin.
Has not wise nature strung the legs and feetWith firmest nerves, designed to walk the street?
String
To put in tune the strings of, as a stringed instrument, in order to play upon it.
For here the Muse so oft her harp has strung,That not a mountain rears its head unsung.
String
To make tense; to strengthen.
Toil strung the nerves, and purified the blood.
String
To form into a string or strings, as a substance which is stretched, or people who are moving along, etc.
String
Move or come along
String
Stretch out or arrange like a string
String
String together; tie or fasten with a string;
String the package
String
Remove the stringy parts of;
String beans
Common Curiosities
Can a string be used as a cord?
It depends on the load; strings are not typically designed for heavy weight.
Is a shoelace a cord or a string?
It's often referred to as a cord because of its strength and durability.
Is string used in technology?
Yes, but as a term for a sequence of characters in programming.
Is a violin bow made with a cord or string?
It's made with horsehair, which is neither a cord nor a string.
Is macramé done with cords or strings?
Macramé is usually done with cords because of the needed strength.
Are cords and strings made of the same materials?
They can be, but cords are generally made from stronger, more durable materials.
Can cords be used in crafting?
Yes, cords are popular in crafting for their texture and durability.
Are there electrical strings?
No, electrical cables are referred to as cords.
Can "cord" and "string" be verbs?
"String" can, as in "to string beads," but "cord" typically cannot.
Do strings have any medical use?
Yes, surgical strings are used for sutures.
Can cords and strings be synthetic?
Yes, both can be made from natural or synthetic materials.
Can both be used in clothing?
Yes, but cords are usually for structural purposes while strings are often decorative.
Do cords and strings come in many colors?
Yes, both can be found in various colors.
Do all musical instruments use strings?
Only string instruments do, such as guitars and violins.
Are cords or strings better for outdoor use?
Cords are generally better for outdoor use due to their strength.
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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.
