patch

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot
2
: a tiny piece of black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck especially by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty
3
a
: a piece of material (such as adhesive plaster) used medically usually to cover a wound
b
: a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (such as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin into the bloodstream
a nicotine patch
c
: a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
4
a
: a small piece : scrap
b
: a part or area distinct from that about it
cabbage patch
c
: a period of time : spell
was going through a rough patch
5
: someone or something equal or comparable
usually used in negative constructions
the new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor
6
: a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia
especially : shoulder patch
7
: a temporary connection in a communication system (such as a telephone hookup)
8
: a minor correction or modification in a computer program

patch

2 of 3

verb

patched; patching; patches

transitive verb

1
: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
2
: to provide with a patch
3
a
: to make of patches or fragments
b
: to mend or put together especially in hasty or shabby fashion
usually used with up
c
: to apply a patch to (a computer program)
4
a
: to connect (things, such as circuits) by a patch cord
b
: to connect (a person, a message, etc.) to a communication system especially temporarily
they patched him into the conference call

patch

3 of 3

noun (2)

: fool, dolt
Choose the Right Synonym for patch

mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective.

mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured.

mended the torn dress

repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation.

repaired the back steps

patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material.

patch worn jeans

rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing.

a rebuilt automobile engine

Examples of patch in a Sentence

Verb The fence needs to be patched. They patched him into the conference call.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Hormones and yeast can aggravate the condition, causing red, greasy, or swollen patches of skin. Amanda Gardner, Health, 4 Mar. 2024 The goal is a 3-to-4-inch layer over the entire garden except a patch of bare soil, 5 or 10 feet square, for native, ground-dwelling bees. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 That Microsoft has now issued a patch for this vulnerability means, the Avast analysis says, that Lazarus’ offensive operations will undoubtedly be disrupted. Davey Winder, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Remember how the lowest layer of a tree might be a grid that measures simple qualities, like the color or sharpness of a patch of a still image? Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2024 On February 8, Ivanti released a patch for yet another issue tracked as CVE-2024-22024, which prompted another CISA warning. Kate O'Flaherty, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 There could even be a patch or two of ice from any standing water that freezes overnight. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 But could such a tiny patch take down the whole system? Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney had celebrated their 10th anniversary as a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning country duo, but had also hit a rough patch. Melinda Newman, Billboard, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Google also patched six privilege-elevation bugs in the Framework, all of which have a high severity rating. Kate O'Flaherty, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 Slopes from Pennsylvania to Maine are often patched with ice (or even grass). Noah Lederman, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 The girl's mother called 911 and was patched through to police due to the severity of the situation. Emilee Coblentz, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2024 Duct tape This strong, flexible and super-sticky problem-solver can be used to patch cracks, rips, tears and holes on garden hoses, trash cans, tarps, tennis shoes and more. Laura Daily, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024 OpenAI may be trying to patch these problems on a case by case basis in a real time. Gary Marcus, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Jan. 2024 Jackets and trousers were woven from thin strips of deadstock denim, dresses are patched from unused pieces. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 This includes drones, AI-transcription software that could decipher Russian military jargon, radios that prevent Russian jamming, patches for cyber vulnerabilities, and demining equipment. TIME, 8 Feb. 2024 John Hawks, a University of Wisconsin-Madison paleoanthropologist who studies ancient human relatives but was not involved in this research, said the study helps solidify the theory that patches of different human cultures were developing as Neanderthals neared their end. Evan Bush, NBC News, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English pacche

Noun (2)

perhaps by folk etymology from Italian dialect paccio

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1549, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near patch

Cite this Entry

“Patch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

patch

1 of 2 noun
1
: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole, a torn place, or a weak spot
2
: a shield (as of cloth) worn over an injured eye
3
: a small piece : scrap
4
a
: a small area or plot different from its surroundings
a patch of oats
a patch of blistered skin
b
: a spot of color : blotch
5
: a piece of cloth worn (as on the shoulder of a uniform) as an ornament or insignia

patch

2 of 2 verb
1
: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
2
: to provide with a patch
3
a
: to make out of patches
b
: to mend or put together especially hastily or clumsily
c
: to deal with successfully : settle
usually used with up
patched up their differences

Medical Definition

patch

noun
1
a
: a piece of material used medically usually to cover a wound or repair a defect see patch graft
b
: a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin and into the bloodstream
a nicotine patch

called also skin patch

c
: a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
2
: a circumscribed region of tissue (as on the skin or in a section from an organ) that differs from the normal color or composition
sometimes great white patches develop on the tongue, the cheeks, and the gumsMorris Fishbein
patch transitive verb
patchy adjective
patchier; patchiest

More from Merriam-Webster on patch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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