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. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

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

Pascoal performed masterfully on keyboards, saxophones, bass clarinet, accordion and an array of other instruments. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 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