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

Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

With gloomy-yet-gorgeous accordion melodies driven against acoustic guitars and a tololoche, the song showcases the vulnerability of a crumbling relationship through an emotional dialogue between two lovers. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025

The Right Music Obviously, Oompah music with brass instruments and accordions accompany Oktoberfest activities. —Don Tse, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Widget layer: Custom components render facts consistently—RTP meter, volatility note, feature cards, symbol explorer tabs, FAQ accordion, and comparison tables. —Fortune Games, Mercury News, 5 Sep. 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