What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cattle
Example
The farmer has a large herd of cattle on his ranch. [cattle: noun]
Example
They raise cattle for both meat and dairy production. [cattle: noun]
livestock
Example
The farmer takes care of various types of livestock on his farm. [livestock: noun]
Example
Livestock farming is an important industry in this region. [livestock: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Livestock is more commonly used than cattle in everyday language. Livestock is a more inclusive term that covers a wider range of animals and industries, while cattle is more specific to the bovine species.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cattle and livestock?
Both cattle and livestock can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, cattle may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its association with specific industries like beef and dairy production.
