First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1patch
noun \ˈpach\
Definition of PATCH
1
: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot
2
: a tiny piece of black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck especially by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty
3
a : a piece of material (as adhesive plaster) used medically usually to cover a wound b : a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin into the bloodstream <a nicotine patch> c : a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
4
5
: someone or something equal or comparable —usually used in negative constructions <the new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor>
6
: a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia; especially : shoulder patch
7
: a temporary connection in a communication system (as a telephone hookup)
8
: a minor correction or modification in a computer program
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Origin of PATCH
Middle English pacche
2patch
verb
: to cover a hole in (something) with a piece of material
: to connect (a person, telephone call, etc.) to a communication system especially for a short period of time
Full Definition of PATCH
transitive verb
1
: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
2
: to provide with a patch
3
a : to make of patches or fragments b : to mend or put together especially in hasty or shabby fashion —usually used with up c : to apply a patch to (a computer program)
4
a : to connect (as circuits) by a patch cord b : to connect (as a person or message) to a communication system especially temporarily <they patched him into the conference call>
See patch defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PATCH
15th century
Synonym Discussion of PATCH
mend, repair, patch, rebuild mean to put into good order something that is injured, damaged, or defective. mend implies making whole or sound something broken, torn, or injured <mended the torn dress>. repair applies to the fixing of more extensive damage or dilapidation <repaired the back steps>. patch implies an often temporary fixing of a hole or break with new material <patch worn jeans>. rebuild suggests making like new without completely replacing <a rebuilt automobile engine>.
3patch
noun
Definition of PATCH
Origin of PATCH
perhaps by folk etymology from Italian dialect paccio
First Known Use: 1549
PATCHING Defined for Kids
1patch
noun \ˈpach\
Definition of PATCH for Kids
1
: a piece of cloth used to mend or cover a torn or worn place
2
: a small piece or area different from what is around it <There is a patch of snow in the yard.> <Her dog has a patch of white on its head.>
2patch
verb
patchedpatch·ing
Definition of PATCH for Kids
: to mend or cover with a piece of cloth
— patch up
: to resolve by agreement <Let's forget our quarrel and patch things up.>
Medical Dictionary
patch
noun \ˈpach\
Medical Definition of PATCH
1
a : a piece of material used medically usually to cover a wound or repair a defect—see patch graft b : a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin and into the bloodstream <a nicotine patch>—called also skin patch c : a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
2
: a circumscribed region of tissue (as on the skin or in a section from an organ) that differs from the normal color or composition <sometimes great white patches develop on the tongue, the cheeks, and the gums—Morris Fishbein>
—patch transitive verb
—patchy \-ē\ adjective, patch·i·er patch·i·est
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