noun
patch
pach
noun
1
A piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or damaged area.
"She sewed a patch over the hole in his jeans."
2
A small area distinct from its surroundings.
"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 company released a security patch to fix the bug."
verb
1
To mend or cover something with a patch.
"He patched the hole in the roof before winter."
2
To fix or update software.
"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
Word Forms
patched past tense, patches plural, patches plural, Patchs plural, Patches plural, patches singular
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She sewed a _____ over the hole in his jeans.
Etymology
From Middle English patche, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English words for "spot" or "stain."