Illustration of patchwork
- patchwork 2
patchwork
noun
patch·work
ˈpach-ˌwərk 
often attributive
1
: something composed of miscellaneous or incongruous parts : hodgepodge
2
: pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together to form a covering
also
: something resembling such a covering
a patchwork of fields
Examples of patchwork in a Sentence
The valley is a patchwork of family farms.
A patchwork of laws prevent the land from being developed.
a patchwork system of laws
Recent Examples on the Web
Nothing quite compares to fall in New England, when the entire region transforms into a patchwork of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges.
—
Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
And while a federal US framework is preferred, versus a patchwork of state rules, Pentland told Semafor that companies can’t afford to wait for those rules, given how fast the technology is developing.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The result may be a patchwork of vaccine access from state to state, depending in part on on who is able to administer vaccines and what providers are willing to offer it.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
The model looked glam in a patchwork Miu Miu dress with sparkling details, adding silver pumps and carrying a small brown handbag, while Cooper kept it classic in a black button-down shirt, black pants and black boots.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025
And while a federal US framework is preferred, versus a patchwork of state rules, Pentland told Semafor that companies can’t afford to wait for those rules, given how fast the technology is developing.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The result may be a patchwork of vaccine access from state to state, depending in part on on who is able to administer vaccines and what providers are willing to offer it.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
The model looked glam in a patchwork Miu Miu dress with sparkling details, adding silver pumps and carrying a small brown handbag, while Cooper kept it classic in a black button-down shirt, black pants and black boots.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
Cite this Entry
“Patchwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchwork. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patchwork
noun
patch·work
ˈpach-ˌwərk
1
: something made up of various parts
2
: pieces of cloth of various colors and shapes sewn together usually in a pattern
patchwork
adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share