Pig vs. Pork — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
A pig is a live animal, while pork is the meat from a pig used for food.
Difference Between Pig and Pork
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pigs are intelligent, social animals commonly farmed for various purposes, including meat, leather, and as pets. Pork, on the other hand, is the culinary term for the meat from a pig, specifically when it is processed for consumption.
When referring to a pig, one might be discussing the animal's behavior, characteristics, or role in agriculture. In contrast, mentioning pork typically involves conversations about food, recipes, or nutrition.
Pork is a type of red meat that is a staple in many diets around the world, known for its flavor and versatility in cooking. Pigs, in the broader sense, have been domesticated for thousands of years and are also known for their use in research and truffle hunting.
The word pig can also be used in a derogatory sense to describe someone who is greedy or dirty, which shows the word's flexibility in the English language. However, the term pork has no such connotations and is strictly related to food.
In the culinary world, different parts of the pig are named variously when served as pork, such as bacon, ham, or ribs. However, these names do not apply to the live animal, which is simply referred to as a pig regardless of the breed or purpose.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A live animal of the species Sus scrofa
The meat from a pig
Usage
Animal husbandry, pets, cultural symbolism
Culinary, food industry
Context
Agriculture, biology, zoology
Cooking, gastronomy
Connotations
Can be negative in slang usage
Generally neutral, associated with cuisine
Varieties
Breeds (e.g., Yorkshire, Berkshire)
Cuts (e.g., loin, shoulder, belly)
Compare with Definitions
Pig
A domesticated farm animal raised for various products.
The farmer had a pen full of pigs ready for the market.
Pork
A term used in the food industry to label pig meat products.
The menu featured a wide selection of pork dishes.
Pig
A young swine, particularly before weaning.
The piglets frolicked in the mud while the mother pig watched.
Pork
The culinary meat categorized as red meat.
Doctors sometimes advise limiting pork in diets for health reasons.
Pig
A device used in pipeline maintenance (pipeline inspection gauge).
They used a pig to clean the pipeline.
Pork
A meat often used in barbecues and grilling.
They smoked the pork ribs for several hours.
Pig
A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the even-toed ungulate family Suidae. Pigs include domestic pigs and their ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), along with other species.
Pork
The subject of various cultural dietary restrictions and taboos.
Pork is forbidden in some religious dietary laws.
Pig
An omnivorous domesticated hoofed mammal with sparse bristly hair and a flat snout for rooting in the soil, kept for its meat.
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for the meat of a domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus). It is the most commonly consumed meat worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC.Pork is eaten both freshly cooked and preserved.
Pig
A greedy, dirty, or unpleasant person
I bet he's scoffed them all, greedy pig
Pork
The flesh of a pig or hog used as food.
Pig
A police officer
Were the pigs there when the windows were smashed or not?
Pork
Government funds, appointments, or benefits dispensed or legislated by politicians to gain favor with their constituents
"However much [the voters] may distrust Congress and dislike pork, the advantages of being represented by an incumbent with seniority are hard to deny" (Richard Lacayo).
Pig
An oblong mass of iron or lead from a smelting furnace.
Pork
To eat ravenously; gorge oneself. Used with out.
Pig
A device which fits snugly inside an oil or gas pipeline and is sent through it to clean or test the inside, or to act as a barrier.
Pork
To become fat. Used with out.
Pig
Gorge oneself with food
Lovesick people pig out on chocolate
Pork
To engage in sexual intercourse with (another). Used especially of a man.
Pig
Crowd together with other people in disorderly or dirty conditions
He didn't approve of the proposal to pig it in the studio
Pork
(uncountable) The meat of a pig; swineflesh.
The cafeteria serves pork on Tuesdays.
Pig
(of a sow) give birth to piglets; farrow.
Pork
Funding proposed or requested by a member of Congress for special interests or their constituency as opposed to the good of the country as a whole.
Pig
Operate a pig within an oil or gas pipeline
They will carry out all trenching and pigging
Pork
Law enforcement, those who side with criminal prosecution
Pig
Any of various mammals of the family Suidae, having short legs, hooves with two weight-bearing toes, bristly hair, and a cartilaginous snout used for digging, including the domesticated hog (Sus scrofa subsp. domestica syn. S. domesticus) and wild species such as the bushpig.
Pork
(slang) A shag; a fuck; an act of coitus.
Pig
A domesticated hog, especially when weighing less than 54 kilograms (120 pounds).
Pork
To have sex with (someone).
Pig
The edible parts of one of these mammals.
Pork
The flesh of swine, fresh or salted, used for food.
Pig
(Informal) A person regarded as being piglike, greedy, or disgusting.
Pork
Meat from a domestic hog or pig
Pig
Derogatory Slang A police officer.
Pork
A legislative appropriation designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents
Pig
(Slang) A member of the social or political establishment, especially one holding sexist or racist views.
Pork
The flesh of a pig used as food.
She marinated the pork before roasting it.
Pig
A crude block of metal, chiefly iron or lead, poured from a smelting furnace.
Pig
A mold in which such metal is cast.
Pig
Pig iron.
Pig
To give birth to pigs; farrow.
Pig
Any of several mammalian species of the genus Sus, having cloven hooves, bristles and a nose adapted for digging; especially the domesticated animal Sus domesticus.
The man kept a pen with two pigs that he fed everything from carrots to cabbage.
Pig
(specifically) A young swine, a piglet contrasted with a hog, an adult swine.
Pig
(uncountable) The edible meat of such an animal; pork.
Some religions prohibit their adherents from eating pig.
Pig
(uncountable) A light pinkish-red colour, like that of a pig (also called pig pink).
Pig
Someone who overeats or eats rapidly and noisily.
You gluttonous pig! Now that you've eaten all the cupcakes, there will be none for the party!
Pig
A lecherous or sexist man.
She considered him a pig as he invariably stared at her bosom when they talked.
Pig
A dirty or slovenly person.
He was a pig and his apartment a pigpen; take-away containers and pizza boxes in a long, moldy stream lined his counter tops.
Pig
(derogatory) A very obese person.
Pig
A police officer.
The protester shouted, “Don't give in to the pigs!” as he was arrested.
Pig
(informal) A difficult problem.
Hrm... this one's a real pig: I've been banging my head against the wall over it for hours!
Pig
A block of cast metal.
The conveyor carried the pigs from the smelter to the freight cars.
After the ill-advised trade, the investor was stuck with worthless options for 10,000 tons of iron pig.
Pig
The mold in which a block of metal is cast.
The pig was cracked, and molten metal was oozing from the side.
Pig
A lead container used for radioactive waste.
Pig
(engineering) A device for cleaning or inspecting the inside of an oil or gas pipeline, or for separating different substances within the pipeline. Named for the pig-like squealing noise made by their progress.
Unfortunately, the pig sent to clear the obstruction got lodged in a tight bend, adding to the problem.
Pig
The general-purpose M60 machine gun, considered to be heavy and bulky.
Unfortunately, the M60 is about twenty-four pounds and is very unbalanced. You try carrying the pig around the jungle and see how you feel.
Pig
(uncountable) A simple dice game in which players roll the dice as many times as they like, either accumulating a greater score or losing previous points gained.
Pig
A sixpence.
Pig
(Scottish) earthenware, or an earthenware shard
Pig
An earthenware hot-water jar to warm a bed; a stone bed warmer
Pig
(of swine) to give birth.
The black sow pigged at seven this morning.
Pig
(intransitive) To greedily consume (especially food).
They were pigging on the free food at the bar.
Pig
(intransitive) To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.
Pig
(intransitive) To live together in a crowded filthy manner.
Pig
To clean (a pipeline) using a pig the device.
Pig
A piggin.
Pig
The young of swine, male or female; also, any swine; a hog.
Pig
Any wild species of the genus Sus and related genera.
Pig
An oblong mass of cast iron, lead, or other metal. See Mine pig, under Mine.
Pig
One who is hoggish; a greedy person.
Pig
To bring forth (pigs); to bring forth in the manner of pigs; to farrow.
Pig
To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.
Pig
Domestic swine
Pig
A coarse obnoxious person
Pig
A person regarded as greedy and pig-like
Pig
Uncomplimentary terms for a policeman
Pig
Mold consisting of a bed of sand in which pig iron is cast
Pig
A crude block of metal (lead or iron) poured from a smelting furnace
Pig
Live like a pig, in squalor
Pig
Eat greedily;
He devoured three sandwiches
Pig
Give birth;
Sows farrow
Pig
An omnivorous mammal of the genus Sus.
Wild pigs can be found foraging in the forest.
Pig
A term used to describe someone as gluttonous or dirty.
He called his messy roommate a pig after finding the kitchen in disarray.
Common Curiosities
Can the word pig refer to both male and female?
Yes, pig refers to the animal regardless of gender.
Are pigs only raised for meat?
No, pigs also provide leather, and some breeds are kept as pets or used in truffle hunting.
Why is pork a popular meat globally?
Pork is versatile, widely available, and has a rich flavor, making it popular in many cuisines.
How do pigs contribute to agriculture besides providing meat?
Pigs contribute to agriculture by providing manure for fertilizer and being used in research.
What are the health concerns associated with eating pork?
Concerns include high fat content and the risk of trichinosis if undercooked.
Is pork considered white meat or red meat?
Pork is classified as red meat.
Is all pork fatty?
No, some cuts like tenderloin are leaner.
What is a baby pig called?
A baby pig is called a piglet.
Are all pigs pink?
No, pig breeds come in various colors including black, white, brown, and spotted.
What pig breeds are known for their meat?
Yorkshire and Duroc breeds are well-known for their meat.
Can pork be eaten rare?
Eating pork rare is not recommended due to health risks; it should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
Do pigs sweat?
Pigs have very few sweat glands; they cool off in mud or water.
Is pork used in processed meats?
Yes, pork is commonly used in sausages, bacon, and ham.
What is the most expensive pork cut?
The tenderloin is often the most expensive cut of pork.
How do pigs help in environmental management?
Pigs can help manage landscapes by rooting in the soil, reducing brush, and controlling pests.
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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.
