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
The industry is reinforced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a patchwork of state-level regulations, and the centrality of MLS platforms.
—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Much of the work in Texas, as in North Carolina, has been left to local governments and individuals, a patchwork of private resources, volunteers, and public funding.
—Jessica Pishko, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
Riot, sitting front row with his mom, rocked a denim jacket with patchwork, sneakers and purple pants.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 July 2025
The constitution is meant to provide a stable framework for our government, not a patchwork of temporary fixes or politically expedient changes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for patchwork
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Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Much of the work in Texas, as in North Carolina, has been left to local governments and individuals, a patchwork of private resources, volunteers, and public funding.
—Jessica Pishko, New Yorker, 15 July 2025
Riot, sitting front row with his mom, rocked a denim jacket with patchwork, sneakers and purple pants.
—Michelle Lee, People.com, 14 July 2025
The constitution is meant to provide a stable framework for our government, not a patchwork of temporary fixes or politically expedient changes.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 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 20 Jul. 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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