Cow vs. Sow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on June 25, 2024
A cow is a mature female bovine, while a sow is a mature female pig.
Difference Between Cow and Sow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cow is specifically a mature female of the species Bos taurus, commonly raised for milk, meat, or as work animals. They're large, hoofed mammals known for their placid nature and are crucial in many agricultural practices. Sow, on the other hand, pertains to the female swine, particularly after she has given birth. Pigs, or swine, are raised mainly for meat, but sows are essential for breeding purposes.
Cows, in a broader context, might refer to cattle in general, which encompasses both male and female bovines. This usage, however, can be confusing, as the term 'cow' specifically points to females. Sows are always female pigs, and there's no ambiguity in this regard.
Cow is a term deeply embedded in culture and religion, with cows being revered in certain religions, particularly Hinduism. Sow, conversely, doesn't carry the same spiritual weight, but pigs and their symbolism are present in various folklore and cultural stories.
Both cow and sow are also used in idiomatic expressions and sayings. For instance, "til the cows come home" means a very long time. The term "sow" can be used in expressions like "you reap what you sow," which implies consequences for one's actions.
Comparison Chart
Species
Bovine
Pig
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Gender
Female
Female
General Usage
Can refer to cattle (both genders)
Always refers to female pigs
Cultural Significance
Revered in some religions
Common in folklore but not religiously revered
Diet
Grass, hay, plant-based feeds
Grains, protein-rich feeds, vegetables
Compare with Definitions
Cow
Cow is used idiomatically to mean a long time.
I'll be waiting until the cows come home.
Sow
Sow can mean to spread or scatter.
Rumors were sown throughout the town.
Cow
Cow's milk is a common dietary staple.
Many cheeses are made from cow's milk.
Sow
To scatter (seed) over the ground for growing.
Cow
A cow is a mature female bovine.
The cow grazed peacefully in the meadow.
Sow
To scatter seed over (land, for example).
Cow
Cow can refer to cattle in general.
The farmer had fifty cows on his land.
Sow
To strew something around or over (an area); distribute something over
"The yard was sown with cement sculpture" (Ashley Warlick).
Cow
Cow can also mean to intimidate or overawe.
He tried to cow her into submission.
Sow
To propagate; disseminate
Sow rumors.
Cow
The mature female of cattle of the genus Bos.
Sow
To scatter seed for growing.
Cow
The mature female of certain other large animals, such as elephants, moose, or whales.
Sow
An adult female pig, especially one that has had at least one litter.
Cow
A domesticated bovine of either sex or any age.
Sow
The adult female of several other animals, such as the bear.
Cow
To frighten or subdue with threats or a show of force.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten iron to the molds in a pig bed.
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.
Sow
The mass of metal solidified in such a channel or mold.
Cow
(formerly inexact but now common) Any member of the species Bos taurus regardless of sex or age, including bulls and calves.
Sow
A female pig.
Cow
(uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
The only meat I eat is cow.
Sow
A female bear, she-bear.
Cow
(uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
Sow
A female guinea pig.
Cow
(biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
Sow
A channel that conducts molten metal to molds.
Cow
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Sow
A mass of metal solidified in a mold.
Cow
(mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
Sow
A contemptible, often fat woman.
Cow
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
Sow
A sowbug.
Cow
The mature female of bovine animals.
Sow
(military) A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, etc.
Cow
The female of certain large mammals, as whales, seals, etc.
Sow
(ambitransitive) To scatter, disperse, or plant (seeds).
When I had sown the field, the day's work was over.
As you sow, so shall you reap.
Cow
A chimney cap; a cowl
Sow
(figurative) To spread abroad; to propagate.
Cow
A wedge, or brake, to check the motion of a machine or car; a chock.
Sow
(figurative) To scatter over; to besprinkle.
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.
Sow
Obsolete spelling of sew
Cow
Female of domestic cattle:
`moo-cow' is a child's term
Sow
To sew. See Sew.
Cow
Mature female of mammals of which the male is called `bull'
Sow
To scatter, as seed, upon the earth; to plant by strewing; as, to sow wheat. Also used figuratively: To spread abroad; to propagate.
A sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the wayside.
And sow dissension in the hearts of brothers.
Cow
A large unpleasant woman
Sow
To scatter seed upon, in, or over; to supply or stock, as land, with seeds. Also used figuratively: To scatter over; to besprinkle.
The intellectual faculty is a goodly field, . . . and it is the worst husbandry in the world to sow it with trifles.
[He] sowed with stars the heaven.
Now morn . . . sowed the earth with orient pearl.
Cow
Subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)
Sow
To scatter seed for growth and the production of a crop; - literally or figuratively.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joi.
Sow
The female of swine, or of the hog kind.
Sow
A sow bug.
Sow
A channel or runner which receives the rows of molds in the pig bed.
Sow
A kind of covered shed, formerly used by besiegers in filling up and passing the ditch of a besieged place, sapping and mining the wall, or the like.
Sow
An adult female hog
Sow
Place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth;
She sowed sunflower seeds
Sow
Introduce into an environment;
Sow suspicion or beliefs
Sow
Place seeds in or on (the ground);
Sow the ground with sunflower seeds
Sow
A sow is a mature female pig.
The sow just gave birth to a litter of piglets.
Sow
Sow means to plant seeds in the ground.
She will sow the garden with wildflowers.
Sow
Sow is used in the proverb about consequences.
As the old saying goes, you reap what you sow.
Sow
Sows are integral in pig farming for breeding.
The farmer's prize sow is expected to give birth soon.
Common Curiosities
Are cows revered in any cultures?
Yes, cows are especially revered in Hindu culture.
What is a cow?
A cow is a mature female bovine.
Is there a male equivalent term for sow?
Yes, the male equivalent is "boar."
Can "cow" refer to male cattle too?
Though "cow" specifically means female, it's sometimes used to refer to cattle in general.
Can "sow" also mean planting seeds?
Yes, to "sow" can mean to plant or scatter seeds.
How many piglets can a sow typically birth?
A sow can typically birth 8-12 piglets, but this varies.
What does sow refer to?
A sow is a mature female pig.
Are cows typically used for milk or meat?
Cows are used for both, but female cows (dairy cows) are primarily used for milk production.
What are the male counterparts for cows and sows?
For cows, it's "bull" and for sows, it's "boar."
Do both cow and sow have idiomatic uses in English?
Yes, such as "til the cows come home" and "you reap what you sow."
Is "you reap what you sow" about farming?
It's a proverb implying that actions have consequences, but its origin is agricultural.
What's the primary purpose of a sow in farming?
Sows are essential for breeding in pig farming.
Which is larger, a cow or a sow?
Typically, cows are larger than sows.
Can "cow" be used as a verb?
Yes, "to cow" can mean to intimidate or overawe.
Is cow's milk widely consumed?
Yes, cow's milk is a common dietary staple in many cultures.
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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.
