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
Cal Fire’s newest proposal for Jackson, dubbed AMEX, targets nearly 500 acres with a patchwork of small clearcuts and is silent on tree sizes to be felled.
—
John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
His love of American design codes, such as the white T-shirt and sport jerseys, is evident in his manipulation of the garment to become a skirt or in creating an intricate patchwork tank-style dress.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The concept is nothing new, but over time a mix of lax enforcement, low investment and legal exceptions have led to a patchwork of laws that often prioritize parking over visibility.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Inside, a vintage patchwork leather sofa informs elements like immersive black marble walls whose veins echo waves framed by glass walls.
—Will Speros, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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John P. O’Brien, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
His love of American design codes, such as the white T-shirt and sport jerseys, is evident in his manipulation of the garment to become a skirt or in creating an intricate patchwork tank-style dress.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The concept is nothing new, but over time a mix of lax enforcement, low investment and legal exceptions have led to a patchwork of laws that often prioritize parking over visibility.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Inside, a vintage patchwork leather sofa informs elements like immersive black marble walls whose veins echo waves framed by glass walls.
—Will Speros, Architectural Digest, 3 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 14 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
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