software patch

noun
UK /ˈsɒftweə pætʃ/
US /ˈsɔːftwer pætʃ/

A small fix that makes a computer program work better or safer.

The company released a software patch to fix the bug.

SYNONYMS

updatefixbug fixhotfixcorrection

RELATED WORDS

softwareprogramupdatebugsecurity

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A quick temporary repair to a program.

They applied a quick software patch while working on a full upgrade.

3. A security update that closes a weakness in software.

Install the latest software patch to protect your computer.

4. A small piece of code added to change how a program behaves.

The developer wrote a software patch to add the new feature.