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

Europe’s patchwork of national payment schemes—iDEAL in the Netherlands, Bizum in Spain, Blik in Poland—has resulted in different checkout experiences in each market. — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Most governments agreed to deal with them through a patchwork of treaties and multilateral bodies that sought to guarantee freedom of navigation in international waters and assign coastal seabeds to adjacent littoral states. — Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

But Vasquez cautioned against being overly sentimental about how much the Salvadoran experience has been accepted and adopted by the greater patchwork of Latino Los Angeles. — Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers x Vans Sk8-Hi and Era deliver heaps of team branding and a combo of distressing and patchwork-like assembly to separate the shoes from your baseline sports merch. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 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