A bull is a male cattle that hasn't been neutered and is kept for breeding. Bulls are powerfully built animals, often weighing over a ton, with thick necks and muscular shoulders. They're known for their strength and can be aggressive, especially when protecting their territory or herd.

Bulls appear throughout history and culture. In ancient Crete, athletes performed dangerous acrobatics over charging bulls. Spanish bullfighting, though controversial today, has been practiced for centuries. On Wall Street, investors talk about a bull market when stock prices are rising strongly, comparing the upward thrust of a bull's horns to climbing prices.

The word also means to push forcefully through something. If you bull your way through a crowd, you're shoving forward with determination, not caring much about being polite. Someone might bulldoze through obstacles, acting with bull-like force.