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 accordion pleating is remarkable, and a simpler version was produced for Bergdorf [Goodman], but nobody had the guts to wear the original because of the shaping here at the torso. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2024

There is the accordion again, that festival atmosphere. —Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 7 Aug. 2024

These ships also brought a staple of vallenato music: the German accordion. —Daniella Tello-Garzon, refinery29.com, 6 Aug. 2024

And Wednesdays through Sundays, enjoy your beer and bratwurst to the sounds of live accordion music by Larry Roberts. —Jeremy Duda, Axios, 6 Aug. 2024

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

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