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
Shelves lined with baking ingredients, bolts of fabric, tinware, nails, and jars of penny candy created a patchwork of textures and smells ranging from molasses and leather to spices and tobacco smoke.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Akinola bravely and generously weaves a fabulous patchwork of memory, private life, and Nigeria’s history.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 May 2026
Production moved through a patchwork system of trains, cars and cross-border coordination.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
For all of these creatures, the coast’s patchwork of barrier islands, beaches, sandbars, salt marshes, tidal creeks and estuaries are vitally important for survival.
—Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Akinola bravely and generously weaves a fabulous patchwork of memory, private life, and Nigeria’s history.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 18 May 2026
Production moved through a patchwork system of trains, cars and cross-border coordination.
—Stephan Rabimov, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
For all of these creatures, the coast’s patchwork of barrier islands, beaches, sandbars, salt marshes, tidal creeks and estuaries are vitally important for survival.
—Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 16 May 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 21 May. 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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