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
Several states have either passed or are considering their own AI laws, setting up a patchwork of regulations that some in the AI industry warn will hamper progress in developing more advanced technology.
—
Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The Transportation Security Administration is aggressively installing CT scanners at airports, but changing its policy is another matter—and any rule change will likely lag until CT is widespread enough to avoid patchwork protocols.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
In practice, that means 18th-century fabrics—enhanced by rich embroidery and patchwork—transformed into one-of-a-kind bags.
—Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, many municipalities have their own laws and regulations with regard to micromobility devices, leaving a patchwork that varies from town to town.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026
The Transportation Security Administration is aggressively installing CT scanners at airports, but changing its policy is another matter—and any rule change will likely lag until CT is widespread enough to avoid patchwork protocols.
—Eric Sullivan, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
In practice, that means 18th-century fabrics—enhanced by rich embroidery and patchwork—transformed into one-of-a-kind bags.
—Madeline Hirsch, InStyle, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, many municipalities have their own laws and regulations with regard to micromobility devices, leaving a patchwork that varies from town to town.
—Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 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 2 Feb. 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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