accordion

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cor·​di·​on ə-ˈkȯr-dē-ən 

: a portable keyboard wind instrument in which the wind is forced past free reeds by means of a hand-operated bellows

accordionist

ə-ˈkȯr-dē-ə-nist 

noun

Illustration of accordion

accordion

2 of 2

adjective

: folding or creased or hinged to fold like an accordion

an accordion pleat

an accordion door

Examples of accordion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The tuba also plays a part, adding that Sinaloan touch, while the accordion gives it a vallenato flavor. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025

The accordion chart shows inflation in 2025 (from January through August) juxtaposed with average annual inflation for the five years between 2020 and 2024. —Lorie Konish, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025

The accordion and percussive instruments like bongos, congas, timbales, cowbells and shakers form reggaeton beats and dancey tempos. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025

Part of his way of taking it yokel — besides bringing in Foo Fighter Rami Jaffee on accordion and Willie Aron blowing harmonica — was to add a previously unheard yodel to the chorus. —Chris Willman, Variety, 27 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from German Accordion (now Akkordeon), from Accord (now Akkord) "chord" (borrowed from French accord "chord, harmony, accord entry 2") + -ion (as in Melodion, an earlier keyboard instrument, from Melodie melody + -on, probably the Greek neuter noun ending)

Adjective

derivative of accordion entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1830, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accordion

• piano accordion

Rhymes for accordion

• edwardian
• gordian

Kids Definition

accordion

1 of 2 noun

ac·​cor·​di·​on ə-ˈkȯrd-ē-ən 

: a musical instrument that has a keyboard and a bellows and that produces tones when air is forced past metal reeds

accordionist

-ē-ə-nəst 

noun

accordion

2 of 2 adjective

: creased to fold like an accordion

accordion doors