patches
n. countable B1 Intermediate US //ˈpætʃəz// UK //pˈætʃɪz// patch·es
n. small areas that are different from the parts around them. You might see these on a piece of clothing, on your skin, or even on the ground.
n. small, distinct areas of a surface that differ in texture, colour, or composition from their surroundings. Often used to describe repairs on fabric or localized sections of land.
The gardener planted flowers in small patches of soil.
After the long winter, the lawn was mostly brown with only a few green patches of grass appearing near the fence.
The satellite imagery revealed irregular patches of deforestation within the otherwise dense canopy, indicating where illegal logging had occurred over the previous decade.
Usage
Commonly used with the preposition 'of' to specify the material or substance.