Bushel: meaning, definitions and examples

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bushel

[ˈbʊʃəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

unit of measurement

A bushel is a unit of measurement equivalent to 4 pecks or 32 quarts. It is commonly used to measure dry goods such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Synonyms

measure, quantity, volume.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bushel	Used primarily in agriculture to refer to a specific unit of measure for dry goods, such as grains or fruits. The farmer sold a bushel of apples at the market. We harvested fifteen bushels of wheat this season.
measure	Refers to a general method or unit of determining size, amount, or degree in various contexts. We need to measure the length of the table before buying a tablecloth. The effectiveness of the new policy will be measured by its impact on sales.
quantity	Used to denote a specific amount or number of something, often in the context of counting or quantifying items. We need to order a large quantity of supplies for the event. The quantity of sugar in this recipe seems too high.
volume	Refers to the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, often used in scientific or mathematical contexts. The volume of the container is 2 liters. You need to calculate the volume of the box to determine how much it can hold.

Examples of usage

She bought a bushel of apples at the farmers' market.
The farmer harvested several bushels of wheat from his fields.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

large quantity

Informally, a bushel can also refer to a large quantity or amount of something. It is often used in phrases like 'a bushel of trouble' or 'a bushel of money.'

Synonyms

abundance, heap, plethora.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bushel	Use in agricultural or measurement contexts to describe a specific quantity, often of grain or fruit. We harvested thirty bushels of apples this season. A bushel of wheat weighs around 60 pounds.
abundance	Appropriate in speaking about plentiful amounts in a positive and general sense, often related to resources, wealth, or nature. There was an abundance of food at the feast. The garden is thriving with an abundance of flowers.
plethora	Utilize in formal or academic settings to denote an excessive amount of something, often with a slight nuance of being more than necessary. She provided a plethora of evidence to support her argument. There was a plethora of options available for dinner.
heap	Commonly used for informal situations, signifying a large, messy pile of something, often physical objects. The clothes were in a heap on the floor. He added another heap of documents to his desk.

Examples of usage

He had a bushel of work to do before the deadline.
They made a bushel of profit from their latest business venture.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'boissel', which means 'little box' or 'small container'.
It's linked to the Latin word 'buxus', referring to the box tree, which was used to make containers.
In medieval times, a bushel was a specific volume measurement used for grain and other commodities.

Agriculture

A bushel is equivalent to 64 US pints or about 8 gallons, often used for measuring crops like apples and corn.
Farmers often sell produce by the bushel because it's an easy way to indicate a large quantity.
Different types of fruits and vegetables have standard bushel weights; for example, a bushel of apples weighs about 42 pounds.

Cultural Significance

In American history, the bushel became a symbol of abundance, often used in harvest festivals.
The phrase 'a bushel and a peck' from a popular children's song represents a large amount of affection.
In literature, 'bushel' often symbolizes prosperity and harvest, conveying themes of hard work and reward.

Measurements

The bushel is still used today in agriculture but is less common in everyday measurements.
Different countries have variations in bushel sizes; for example, the UK bushel is approximately 8% larger than the US bushel.
There are specialized bushel baskets for specific crops, ensuring optimal storage and transport conditions.

Science

In chemistry, the concept of volume aligns with the measurement of bulk materials, similar to how a bushel measures dry commodities.
The bushel is tied to the study of density; knowing how much a bushel weighs can help in determining the density of different types of produce.

Translations

Translations of the word "bushel" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alqueire

🇮🇳 बुशेल

🇩🇪 Scheffel

🇮🇩 gantang

🇺🇦 бушель

🇵🇱 korzec

🇯🇵 ブッシェル

🇫🇷 boisseau

🇪🇸 fanega

🇹🇷 buşel

🇰🇷 부셸

🇸🇦 بوشل

🇨🇿 bušl

🇸🇰 bušel

🇨🇳 蒲式耳

🇸🇮 bušel

🇮🇸 bússeli

🇰🇿 бушель

🇬🇪 ბუშელი

🇦🇿 buşel

🇲🇽 fanega

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,237 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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9234 electrolyte
9235 swamp
9236 markings
9237 bushel
9238 transforming
9239 afflicted
9240 vastly
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