Female pig Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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female pig

[ˈfiːmeɪl pɪɡ ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

animal

A female pig, especially one that has had piglets.

Synonyms

hog, pig, sow.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
female pig	Used when referring specifically to the gender of the pig, suitable for both casual and more formal or educational contexts. The farm has a new female pig in the barn. Female pigs are known for their nurturing instincts.
sow	Used specifically to describe an adult female pig, most often in agricultural, farming, or biological contexts. Not commonly used casually. The sow gave birth to a litter of piglets. They are raising several sows on their farm.
pig	A general term for the animal, suitable for everyday conversation, storytelling, or descriptions. The pig was rolling in the mud. She has a pet pig that lives in her garden.
hog	Typically used to refer to a large domesticated pig, often in contexts related to agriculture or farming. May also be used colloquially to describe greed or overindulgence. The farmer sold his largest hog at the market. He hogged all the snacks at the party.

Examples of usage

She raised a litter of piglets last year.
The female pig was taking a nap in the mud.
The sow gave birth to eight piglets.
The female pig was grazing in the field.
The sow was oinking happily.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

Sows are crucial in farming as they have large litters, often giving birth to 8-12 piglets at a time.
In traditional farming, female pigs are valued for their ability to breed, produce milk, and their role in meat production.

Behavior

Female pigs are social creatures and often form close bonds with their piglets and other pigs in their group.
Mother sows are known for their nurturing behavior, often rearranging their piglets to keep them close and warm.

Pop Culture

In cartoons and children’s stories, female pigs are often portrayed as caring mothers, like the character Mama Pig in 'Peppa Pig'.
Female pigs have appeared in various movies, reinforcing their role in family and friendship themes.

Science

Research has shown that female pigs can learn complex tasks and remember them over long periods, highlighting their intelligence.
Sows communicate with their piglets by making specific sounds, which piglets recognize and react to.

Origin of 'female pig'

Main points about word origin

The word 'sow' to refer to a female pig comes from Old English 'sū', highlighting its long history.
In different languages, words for female pigs vary, such as 'cochon' in French and 'cerda' in Spanish, showing cultural differences.

The term 'female pig' is a straightforward combination of the words 'female' and 'pig'. Pigs have been domesticated for thousands of years, with the first evidence of domestication dating back to around 13,000-12,700 years ago in the Near East. Female pigs, also known as sows, play a crucial role in pig farming as they are responsible for giving birth to piglets. They are highly intelligent animals with a strong maternal instinct.