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

La Gota Fría, a 1938 vallenato by Emiliano Zuleta that Vives famously covered, chronicles a duel between two famous accordion players. —Daniella Tello-Garzon, refinery29.com, 6 Aug. 2024

Myron Floren, who was the lead accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show. —John Paul Bullock, SPIN, 19 July 2024

The accordion is the Rodney Dangerfield of instruments. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 19 July 2024

Le Diplomate has become D.C.’s most recognizable French restaurant, and its all-day party, which begins at 10 a.m., includes mimes, accordion players, face painters, caricature artists and balloon twisters. —Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 11 July 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