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
And the patchwork of regulated markets across 40 states that allow medical sales and 25 that permit recreational sales will still be in conflict with federal law.
—
Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And the White House has to follow through on its pledge to protect AI companies against a patchwork of state AI regulations emerging across the country.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The Chargers’ second consecutive 11-win season came without the aid of their two top tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, who suffered season-ending injuries that forced Harbaugh and Roman to field a patchwork offensive line for most of the season, but especially in the final weeks.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Just beyond, is Bilad Sayt, a cluster of multi-story clay houses and a white minaret rise from the palms above a shocking green patchwork of corn and onion fields, with lumpy limestone mountains all around.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
And the White House has to follow through on its pledge to protect AI companies against a patchwork of state AI regulations emerging across the country.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The Chargers’ second consecutive 11-win season came without the aid of their two top tackles, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, who suffered season-ending injuries that forced Harbaugh and Roman to field a patchwork offensive line for most of the season, but especially in the final weeks.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026
Just beyond, is Bilad Sayt, a cluster of multi-story clay houses and a white minaret rise from the palms above a shocking green patchwork of corn and onion fields, with lumpy limestone mountains all around.
—Anna Zacharias, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
Cite this Entry
“Patchwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patchwork. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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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