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Definition of patch

patch

/pætʃ/
patch

Plural:patches
•
Adjective:patchy
•
Past Simple:patched
•
Past Participle:patched
•
Present Participle:patching
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patch Lexical Profile

patch Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A piece of cloth or other material used to mend or cover a hole, tear, or weak point.

Example

"She sewed a leather patch onto the elbow of her favorite jacket to hide the hole."


2

A small area or expanse differing in character, appearance, or condition from its surroundings.

Example

"The driver momentarily lost control after hitting a patch of black ice on the bridge."


3

A set of changes to a computer program or its supporting data designed to update, fix, or improve it.

Example

"The development team released an emergency security patch to address the newly discovered vulnerability."

Synonyms
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• verb

1

To mend, strengthen, or cover a hole or weak spot with a piece of material.

Example

"He successfully patched the bicycle tire before inflating it again for his commute."


2

To correct or improve a computer program or system by applying a software update.

Example

"The IT department patched the servers over the weekend to prevent future network outages."


3

To connect individuals or systems via a temporary electrical, radio, or telephonic connection.

Example

"The switchboard operator quickly patched the frantic call through to the regional police office."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for patch

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'pacche', of uncertain origin. It is possibly related to 'piece' or derived from Old French 'pieche'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Patch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/patch
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