patch

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈpach 

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

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• blotch
• dapple
• dot
• eyespot
• fleck
• mottle
• pip
• point
• speck
• speckle
• splotch
• spot

Verb

• doctor
• fix
• mend
• recondition
• renovate
• repair
• revamp

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

By visiting a grassland patch weeks after being grazed by larger herbivores, the smaller herbivores, which require more protein per unit body weight, can be selective and obtain better nutrition per bite. —T. Michael Anderson, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

The shoes have arch support, a counter patch at the heel to help prevent blisters, and extra cushioning in the midsole and insole that our tester raved about. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024

On Thursday afternoon, stray cats stalked a weedy patch at the back of the property, which is separated from the GardaWorld building by fences, unkempt foliage and a line of trees. —Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Aside from New England, patches of completely clear skies will be few and far between in the path of totality as a storm system tracks through the central US and moist air streams into parts of the South and East. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Known around town for his trademark eye patch, Kidston shot photo campaigns for the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade and covered the Oscars, the Grammy Awards and the Daytime Emmys during his career. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024

Lewis, 87, was wearing an eye patch and one of his hands shook steadily throughout the one-hour proceeding in a federal court in Manhattan. —Larry Neumeister, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Hormonal birth control: Pills, patches, or vaginal rings can alleviate painful periods. —Anna Almendrala, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

Sheridan’s company has patented a transdermal medical patch with an aversive coating layer added on top. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024

Verb

Designing, hanging, patching, in addition to teaching his peers how to use our space, Mars shares his knowledge and care with grace. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024

Biggest surprise of the night: After their emotional breakup, the two not only patched things up, but are practically best friends. —Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 14 Mar. 2024

Just ahead, spanning more than a mile across the darkened water, stood the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 185 feet high, with a crew of overnight construction workers on the road deck, patching cracks and filling potholes. —William Wan, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2024

With open source, bugs and vulnerabilities can be identified and patched much faster than in closed-source projects. —Matthias Pfau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

The six still-missing individuals were part of a construction crew patching pot holes in the bridge. —Erin Marquis / Jalopnik, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024

All except a few dozen hardy souls who formed the historical society and began patching the scars of this tumbledown town. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024

On Thursday, Camilla, 76, wore an emerald green coat by Bruce Oldfield, 73, featuring dark green velvet patches during her visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland. —Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024

The studio will continue patching Baldur’s Gate 3 for the time being and is still working on adding official mod support for the game on both PCs and consoles. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 22 Mar. 2024

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

Phrases Containing patch

• be not a patch on
• briar patch
• oil patch
• patch cord
• patch pocket
• patch test
• patch things up
• patch together
• patch up
• shoulder patch
• soul patch

Kids Definition

patch

1 of 2 noun

ˈpach 

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

ˈpach 

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 gums

—Morris Fishbein

patch transitive verb

patchy

-ē 

adjective

patchier; patchiest