patch
pach
Patch (noun) means a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or damaged area. Example: “He sewed a leather patch on each elbow of his jacket.”
noun
1
A piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or damaged area.
"He sewed a leather patch on each elbow of his jacket."
"I stuck a patch over the puncture in my bike tyre."
"She sewed a patch over the hole in his jeans."
2
A small area distinct from its surroundings.
"A bare patch of grass showed where the tent had stood."
"There was a patch of ice on the road."
"They grew vegetables in a small patch behind the house."
3
In computing, a piece of code released to fix or update software.
"The latest patch fixes a problem that made the game crash."
"Install the patch as soon as it becomes available."
"The company released a security patch to fix the bug."
verb
1
To mend or cover something with a patch.
"She patched her old jeans with scraps of colourful cloth."
"We patched the leaking pipe with tape until the plumber arrived."
"He patched the hole in the roof before winter."
2
To fix or update software.
"The developers patched the app to stop it crashing on startup."
"Make sure you patch your computer regularly to stay safe."
"IT patched the system overnight to close the vulnerability."
How to use patch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA piece used to cover or fix a hole or flaw — literally in fabric or metal, or figuratively in software.
Common mistake
"Go through a rough patch" is an idiom meaning a difficult period, not a literal patch of ground.
Common pairings
a patch of grass
software patch
patch things up
a rough patch
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Word forms
- Plural
- patches
- Third person singular
- patches
- Past tense
- patched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He sewed a leather _____ on each elbow of his jacket.
Etymology
From Middle English patche, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English words for "spot" or "stain."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for patch
See all rhymes for patch →Frequently asked questions
What does “patch” mean?
The word “patch” means a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or damaged area. In plain terms, a piece used to cover or fix a hole or flaw — literally in fabric or metal, or figuratively in software.
How do you pronounce “patch”?
“Patch” is pronounced pach (/pæt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “patch” in a sentence?
Here is “patch” used in a sentence: “She sewed a patch over the hole in his jeans.”
What part of speech is “patch”?
Depending on how it is used, “patch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “patch” come from?
The word “patch” comes from Old English. From Middle English patche, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English words for "spot" or "stain.".
Is “patch” a common word?
“Patch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “patch” have?
“Patch” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or damaged area.
What is a software "patch"?
In computing, a "patch" is a small update that fixes or improves part of a program, extending the idea of covering a damaged area. It repairs faults or security holes without replacing the whole system.
What is the difference between a "patch" and a "spot"?
Both can mean a small area distinct from its surroundings. A "patch" often suggests a larger or more irregular area, as in a patch of grass or a patch of fog, while a "spot" tends to be smaller and more sharply defined.
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