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
And there are whole swaths of the country where voting will not take place, as the junta continues to battle a patchwork of ethnic rebels and pro-democracy fighters in the hilly borderlands and arid central plains.
—
Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Even then, a patchwork of state laws take differing approaches to their use, with some states barring them from public roads or restricting them to low-speed neighborhood streets.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
The design features a patchwork style of complementary floral patterns in gray, blue, yellow, or green, or choose from a handful of holiday styles for a limited time.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Jordan Elliott Was sent to Toledo rep after rep after rep by a patchwork Colts offensive line.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Ross Adkin, CNN Money, 27 Dec. 2025
Even then, a patchwork of state laws take differing approaches to their use, with some states barring them from public roads or restricting them to low-speed neighborhood streets.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 25 Dec. 2025
The design features a patchwork style of complementary floral patterns in gray, blue, yellow, or green, or choose from a handful of holiday styles for a limited time.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025
Jordan Elliott Was sent to Toledo rep after rep after rep by a patchwork Colts offensive line.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 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 1 Jan. 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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