Cable vs. Cord — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
A cable is a thick, heavy rope or insulated wire, while a cord is a thin, flexible strand or rope. E.g., "The cable supports the bridge." vs. "The cord binds the package."
Difference Between Cable and Cord
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Key Differences
Cables in their sturdy and robust nature are oftentimes visible in construction sites, supporting structures like bridges, or facilitating transmission in technological apparatus. Whereas, cords, bring about images of accessibility and lightweight usage, such as in clothing, parcels, or low-power appliances.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
In electrical contexts, cables are likely to be associated with the provision of power, data transmission, or heavy-duty applications given their protective insulation and capacity. Cords tend to be found in lighter, more versatile applications, exemplifying adaptability and user-friendliness in numerous environments.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Undeniably, cable and cord, while sometimes used interchangeably in common language, remain distinct in their core meanings and applications, underpinning specific and diverse utility in various fields, from construction, technology, to domestic usage, providing both support and connection.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
A cable, typically recognized as a substantial and often insulated wire, is principally used for transmitting power or data. Conversely, a cord, slender and more pliable, is widely associated with tying, binding, or connecting in various scenarios, presenting a contrast in form and function.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Notably, cables frequently become part of infrastructural and technological contexts, providing strength, connection, and transfer in constructions and networks. Cords, maintaining a distinct identity, are generally utilized in domestic or everyday applications, offering functionality and simplicity.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Definitions
Cable
A telegram, especially one sent abroad.
He received a Cable from his family overseas.
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Oct 04, 2023
Cord
A thin rope made from twisting several strands together.
She used a Cord to tie the package.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Cord
The umbilical cord, connecting a fetus to the placenta.
The doctor carefully cut the baby's Cord after birth.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cable
(Electricity) A bound or sheathed group of mutually insulated conductors.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cord
An influence, feeling, or force that binds or restrains; a bond or tie.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cord
Also chord(Anatomy)A long ropelike structure, such as a nerve or tendon
A spinal cord.
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Mar 17, 2018
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.
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Mar 17, 2018
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).
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Mar 17, 2018
Cord
To fasten or bind with a cord
Corded the stack of old newspapers and placed them in the recycling bin.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cable
A strong, large-diameter wire or rope, or something resembling such a rope.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cord
(figuratively) Any influence by which persons are caught, held, or drawn, as if by a cord.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cord
(anatomy) Any structure having the appearance of a cord, especially a tendon or nerve.
Spermatic cord; spinal cord; umbilical cord; vocal cords
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cable
(TV) cable television, broadcast over the above network, not by antenna.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cord
A string, or small rope, composed of several strands twisted together.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cable
(finance) The currency pair British Pound against United States Dollar.
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Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cable
(knitting) A textural pattern achieved by passing groups of stitches over one another.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cord
Any structure having the appearance of a cord, esp. a tendon or a nerve. See under Spermatic, Spinal, Umbilical, Vocal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
Cord
A line made of twisted fibers or threads;
The bundle was tied with a cord
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Mar 17, 2018
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.
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Mar 17, 2018
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.
Tayyaba Rehman
Mar 17, 2018
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.
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Mar 17, 2018
Cord
A flexible insulated cable used to connect electrical devices.
The lamp's Cord was frayed and needed replacing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Cord
A measure of volume for stacked firewood, equal to 128 cubic feet.
He bought two Cords of wood for the winter.
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Oct 04, 2023
Cable
A conductor for transmitting electrical or optical signals or electric power
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Mar 17, 2018
Cable
A thick, strong rope made of intertwined strands.
The ship was anchored using a heavy-duty Cable.
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Oct 04, 2023
Cable
A set of wires, covered by plastic, that carries electricity, phone signals, or internet connections.
The technician fixed the Cable to restore our internet.
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Oct 04, 2023
Cable
A system of broadcasting television programs via transmitted signals.
We subscribed to a new Cable service to get more channels.
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Oct 04, 2023
Cable
A unit of distance used in marine navigation, roughly equal to 1/10th of a nautical mile.
The ship was anchored five Cables from shore.
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Oct 04, 2023
FAQs
Can “cable” refer to a large, strong rope?
Yes, “cable” can refer to a thick, heavy rope used for purposes like mooring ships.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Does “cord” have an anatomical reference?
Yes, “cord” can refer to a body part, like the spinal cord.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is “cable” used in data transmission?
Yes, “cable” is commonly used for transmitting data, as in Ethernet cables.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is “cord” used for tying objects?
Yes, “cord” is often used for tying objects due to its flexibility.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
What does “cable” refer to in telecommunications?
In telecommunications, a “cable” often refers to a thick insulated wire for data transmission.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cable” refer to a network?
Yes, “cable” can refer to a system of broadcasting television.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is a “cord” generally thicker than a “cable”?
No, a “cord” is typically thinner and more flexible than a “cable.”
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cord” be a synonym for “rope”?
To some extent, but “cord” generally implies a thinner, more flexible strand.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cable” be used in computer networks?
Yes, “cable” is frequently used in computer networks to transmit data.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cord” refer to a musical element?
No, “cord” does not refer to a musical element, but “chord” does.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can a “cable” be used for suspension?
Yes, cables are often used to suspend structures like bridges.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Is “cord” related to a specific material?
No, “cord” refers to the form, and it can be made from various materials.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cable” be used in electric power transmission?
Yes, “cable” is commonly used to transmit electric power due to its insulation.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cord” be used for electricity transmission?
Yes, but “cord” is typically used for lighter, low-power applications.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Can “cable” imply a form of television broadcasting?
Yes, “cable” can refer to a system of broadcasting television programming.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Author Spotlight
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.
