# patching

/ˈpætʃɪŋ/ (US) · /pˈætʃɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/patching
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

the act of fixing a hole or a broken part by sewing or gluing it. It can also mean the process of updating a computer program to fix a bug or security problem.

For teachers: the act of repairing a hole or tear by sewing or applying a patch; also refers to the process of applying a software update to fix a specific flaw or vulnerability.

## Examples

- The old jacket needed some serious patching after the storm.
- The IT department spent the weekend performing emergency patching to secure the network against the latest virus.
- While physical patching of a garment is a traditional craft, digital patching requires a deep understanding of code architecture to ensure the fix does not introduce new errors into the system.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.