accordion

1 of 2

noun

ac·​cor·​di·​on ə-ˈkȯr-dē-ən How to pronounce accordion (audio)
: a portable keyboard wind instrument in which the wind is forced past free reeds by means of a hand-operated bellows
accordionist noun

Illustration of accordion

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
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Noun
There's also a separate 3,000-square-foot party pavilion with accordion windows, a full kitchen, a dining area, and an expansive sitting room. Alexis Clinton, Axios, 23 Oct. 2024 Egidio Cuadrado, an icon in Colombia’s music scene and Carlos Vives’ longtime accordion player, is dead at the age of 71. Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024 The sunroom has a gas fireplace, a kitchen area with a grilling station, and accordion doors that open to the outdoors. Kim Quillen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2024 The open-plan interior features exposed beams, shiplap ceilings, chef's kitchen with quartz counters, pantry, and drinks refrigerator, and living room with accordion glass doors to a covered patio with a dining area. The Week Staff, theweek, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accordion 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of accordion was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near accordion

Cite this Entry

“Accordion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accordion. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

accordion

1 of 2 noun
ac·​cor·​di·​on ə-ˈkȯrd-ē-ən How to pronounce accordion (audio)
: a musical instrument that has a keyboard and a bellows and that produces tones when air is forced past metal reeds
accordionist noun

accordion

2 of 2 adjective
: creased to fold like an accordion
accordion doors

More from Merriam-Webster on accordion

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