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

In Dian, who sometimes doubled on accordion, Plant has a wonderful foil and hearing their voices weave in and out was a delight. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025

Dian brought along her accordion, too. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2025

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

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