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
One of the biggest hurdles in structural engineering is navigating the patchwork of zoning laws, building codes, and aesthetic requirements that vary from town to town.
—
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Even though the brand is known for its popular patchwork and embroidery customization, Stoney Clover Lane will not have those offerings for the leather collection launch.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025
On Rikers Island over the past two days, the patchwork of life in the jails unfolded.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Programs that did have positive outcomes occurred in island ecosystems or other areas with natural barriers, not the 24-acre patchwork of lands proposed in the USFWS plan to protect spotted owls.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
Even though the brand is known for its popular patchwork and embroidery customization, Stoney Clover Lane will not have those offerings for the leather collection launch.
—Layla Ilchi, WWD, 17 Mar. 2025
On Rikers Island over the past two days, the patchwork of life in the jails unfolded.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Programs that did have positive outcomes occurred in island ecosystems or other areas with natural barriers, not the 24-acre patchwork of lands proposed in the USFWS plan to protect spotted owls.
—Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 13 Mar. 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 23 Mar. 2025.
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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