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

Illustration of patchwork

• patchwork 2

Synonyms of patchwork

• jumble
• medley
• variety
• assortment
• collage
• hodgepodge
• mishmash

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

Various pipes have been replaced at times through the years across the city in a patchwork system of solving immediate problems. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026

By the end of the year, more states are expected to join the growing patchwork of tech regulation. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

Instead, a growing patchwork of state laws is filling that gap. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Jan. 2026

These forces hold a patchwork of strongholds, primarily in the central province of Marib, parts of Taiz, and Aden in the south. —Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing patchwork

• patchwork quilt

Rhymes for patchwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids 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