Peck vs. Bushel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A peck is a unit of dry volume measurement equal to 2 gallons, whereas a bushel is larger, equivalent to 4 pecks or 8 gallons.
Difference Between Peck and Bushel
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Key Differences
A peck and a bushel are both units of volume measurement used primarily in agriculture. The peck is the smaller unit, historically used to measure dry goods such as fruit or grain. In contrast, a bushel is a larger unit of measurement that equals four pecks. These terms date back to older agricultural practices, yet they still find relevance in modern usage, particularly in countries like the United States.
The significance of a peck can be seen in its use in markets and recipes, where it might be used to quantify produce like apples or pears. On the other hand, a bushel is a term more commonly used by farmers and wholesale vendors due to its larger size, making it practical for measuring bigger quantities of produce for sale or distribution.
One should note that the peck is a part of the imperial system of measurement, specifically the U.S. customary units. A bushel holds a place in the same system, denoting a quantity that is exactly four times that of a peck. This ratio is fixed, making conversions between the two straightforward for those who work with these measurements regularly.
In everyday language, "peck" might also appear in idiomatic expressions such as "a peck of troubles," indicating a considerable amount but not with the precise volume implication. "Bushel," however, is less common in idioms but can sometimes symbolize abundance or a large amount in general sayings, highlighting its larger size as a unit of measure.
While peck and bushel are rooted in physical quantities, their use extends beyond the literal. "Peck" can denote a quick, almost affectionate bite, and "bushel" might be used metaphorically to express hiding one's talents or abilities—“hiding your light under a bushel.” Even as units of measurement, peck and bushel reflect the interplay between language and culture.
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Comparison Chart
Measurement
Equals 2 gallons
Equals 8 gallons
In Fractions
1/4 of a bushel
4 times a peck
Usage in Idioms
Used metaphorically
Seldom used metaphorically
Literal Use
Smaller quantities
Larger quantities
Colloquial Use
Less frequent
More frequent in agriculture
Compare with Definitions
Peck
A peck is an imperial and United States customary unit of dry volume, equivalent to 2 dry gallons or 8 dry quarts or 16 dry pints. An imperial peck is equivalent to 9.09 liters and a US customary peck is equivalent to 8.81 liters.
Bushel
To hide one's abilities.
Don't hide your talents under a bushel.
Peck
A quick, light kiss.
He gave her a peck on the cheek.
Bushel
A unit of volume for dry goods.
The farmer sold wheat by the bushel.
Peck
To strike with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Bushel
A measure of weight varying locally.
A bushel of barley weighs 48 pounds.
Peck
To make (a hole, for example) by striking repeatedly with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Bushel
A bushel (abbreviation: bsh. or bu.) is an imperial and US customary unit of volume based upon an earlier measure of dry capacity.
Peck
To grasp and pick up with the beak
The bird pecked insects from the log.
Bushel
A unit of volume or capacity in the US Customary System, used in dry measure and equal to 4 pecks, 2,150.42 cubic inches, or 35.24 liters.
Peck
(Informal) To kiss briefly and casually.
Bushel
A unit of volume or capacity in the British Imperial System, used in dry and liquid measure and equal to 2,219.36 cubic inches or 36.37 liters.
Peck
To make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Bushel
A container with the capacity of a bushel.
Peck
To eat in small sparing bits; nibble
He pecked at his dinner.
Bushel
(Informal) A large amount; a great deal
We have bushels of time, so relax.
Peck
To make repeated criticisms; carp
Pecked at the kitchen staff.
Bushel
To alter or mend (clothing).
Peck
A stroke or light blow with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Bushel
(historical) A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts.
Peck
A mark or hole made by such a stroke.
Bushel
A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure.
Peck
(Informal) A light quick kiss.
Bushel
A quantity that fills a bushel measure.
A heap containing ten bushels of apples
Peck
A unit of dry volume or capacity in the US Customary System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 537.6 cubic inches.
Bushel
(colloquial) A large indefinite quantity.
Peck
A unit of dry volume or capacity in the British Imperial System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 554.8 cubic inches.
Bushel
(UK) The iron lining in the nave of a wheel.
Peck
A container holding or measuring a peck.
Bushel
To mend or repair clothes.
Peck
(Informal) A large quantity; a lot
A peck of troubles.
Bushel
To pack grain, hops, etc. into bushel measures.
Peck
(ambitransitive) To strike or pierce with the beak or bill (of a bird).
The birds pecked at their food.
Bushel
A dry measure, containing four pecks, eight gallons, or thirty-two quarts.
Peck
(transitive) To form by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument.
To peck a hole in a tree
Bushel
A vessel of the capacity of a bushel, used in measuring; a bushel measure.
Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not to be set on a candlestick?
Peck
To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument, especially with repeated quick movements.
Bushel
A quantity that fills a bushel measure; as, a heap containing ten bushels of apples.
Peck
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as if with the beak; to bite; to eat; often with up.
Bushel
A large indefinite quantity.
The worthies of antiquity bought the rarest pictures with bushels of gold, without counting the weight or the number of the pieces.
Peck
To do something in small, intermittent pieces.
He has been pecking away at that project for some time now.
Bushel
The iron lining in the nave of a wheel. [Eng.] In the United States it is called a box. See 4th Bush.
Peck
To type by searching for each key individually.
Bushel
To mend or repair, as men's garments; to repair garments.
Peck
(rare) To type in general.
Bushel
A United States dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 2152.42 cubic inches
Peck
To kiss briefly.
Bushel
A British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 4 pecks
Peck
(regional) To throw.
Bushel
A basket large enough to hold a bushel
Peck
To lurch forward; especially, of a horse, to stumble after hitting the ground with the toe instead of the flat of the foot.
Bushel
Restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken;
She repaired her TV set
Repair my shoes please
Peck
An act of striking with a beak.
Bushel
A container with a capacity of one bushel.
He filled the bushel with corn.
Peck
A small kiss.
Bushel
An indefinite large quantity.
She has a bushel of work to do.
Peck
One quarter of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts.
They picked a peck of wheat.
Peck
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
She figured most children probably ate a peck of dirt before they turned ten.
Peck
The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.
Peck
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
Peck
A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.
Peck
To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.
Peck
Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.
Peck
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; - often with up.
This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas.
Peck
To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
Peck
To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument.
Peck
To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
[The hen] went pecking by his side.
Peck
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Peck
A British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 2 gallons
Peck
A United States dry measure equal to 8 quarts or 537.605 cubic inches
Peck
Hit lightly with a picking motion
Peck
Eat by pecking at, like a bird
Peck
Kiss lightly
Peck
Eat like a bird;
The anorexic girl just picks at her food
Peck
Bother persistently with trivial complaints;
She nags her husband all day long
Peck
A unit of dry volume.
She bought a peck of apples.
Peck
To strike with a beak or pointed instrument.
The bird pecked at the window.
Peck
To pick up food with the beak.
The chickens pecked at the seeds on the ground.
Peck
To eat in small amounts.
He pecked at his food, having little appetite.
Common Curiosities
Is the peck used in modern measurement?
Yes, it's still used, especially in the United States for selling produce.
What is a peck?
A peck is a unit of dry volume measurement equivalent to 2 gallons or 8 quarts.
Can peck be used as a verb?
Yes, "peck" can be a verb meaning to strike or pick up with a beak or similar action.
What types of goods are measured with a peck?
Fruits, vegetables, and other dry goods are commonly measured with a peck.
What is a bushel?
A bushel is a larger unit of dry volume measurement equivalent to 4 pecks or 32 quarts.
Is a bushel a standard measure worldwide?
No, it's mainly used in the U.S. and is part of the imperial system.
How many pecks are there in a bushel?
There are four pecks in one bushel.
How many pounds does a bushel of apples weigh?
A bushel of apples weighs about 42 pounds, though this can vary.
Are peck and bushel measures used for liquids?
Typically, they are used for dry goods, not liquids.
How do you convert bushels to pecks?
To convert bushels to pecks, multiply the number of bushels by 4.
What does "a peck of troubles" mean?
It's an idiomatic expression meaning a large amount of problems or difficulties.
Can "bushel" refer to an actual container?
Yes, it can refer to a container that holds a bushel's volume of produce.
Is "bushel" used in any common expressions?
Yes, "hide your light under a bushel" is an idiom derived from the term.
Do peck and bushel have the same weight?
No, because weight varies by the material being measured.
Can I buy a peck or bushel at the grocery store?
Some grocery stores and most farmers' markets offer produce by the peck or bushel.
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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.
