Illustration of patchwork
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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
Thrift stores are also a good source for small crafts and patchwork projects that don't require a lot of yardage.
—
Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
The most expensive item in the women’s collection for opening day was a long, faux fur patchwork coat of brown tones at $265.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The federal government’s e-bike regulations are sparse, and efforts to expand them have stalled, leaving states and even counties to fill the void with patchwork rules of their own.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Until now, biometric exit checks existed only in patchwork pilot programs at about 50 airports and a handful of land and sea ports, largely focused on certain visa holders.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
The most expensive item in the women’s collection for opening day was a long, faux fur patchwork coat of brown tones at $265.
—Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025
The federal government’s e-bike regulations are sparse, and efforts to expand them have stalled, leaving states and even counties to fill the void with patchwork rules of their own.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
Until now, biometric exit checks existed only in patchwork pilot programs at about 50 airports and a handful of land and sea ports, largely focused on certain visa holders.
—Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 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 7 Dec. 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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