Definition of patchwork
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
From the M-W Editors
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 of patchwork from the Web
-
On Fallujah’s main streets, shops and buildings are a patchwork of destruction and revival.
-
Everything else is left up to a patchwork of state and local laws.
-
The return of Yedlin, who was instrumental in Newcastle’s run to the EFL Championship title, will be a boost to a back four that had a bit of a patchwork feel in March.
-
A similar bill in Springfield that could address the patchwork concern also awaits action by state lawmakers.
-
In fact, most civilians were dependent on a patchwork of armed rebel factions for food and protection.
-
RCA had ambitions to tie up its patchwork of local stations into a national network, but it was hamstrung by the relatively poor audio quality available to it, leasing telegraph lines from Western Union.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patchwork'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of patchwork
First Known Use of patchwork
1634
PATCHWORK Defined for English Language Learners
patchwork
playDefinition of patchwork for English Language Learners
-
: something that is made up of different things
-
: pieces of cloth of different colors and shapes that are sewn together in a pattern
PATCHWORK Defined for Kids
patchwork
playDefinition of patchwork for Students
1 : pieces of cloth of different colors and shapes sewed together
2 : something made up of different parts The farm is a patchwork of fields.
Learn More about patchwork
-
See words that rhyme with patchwork Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for patchwork Spanish Central: Translation of patchwork Nglish: Translation of patchwork for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of patchwork for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about patchwork
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up patchwork? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!