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
Noun
This norteño-pop fusion is seamlessly done, thanks to accordion riffs that echo Venegas’ original composition, further highlighting the band’s adaptability and innovation. Ingrid Fajardo, Billboard, 1 Mar. 2024 Tejano music has its roots in South and Central Texas and blends music styles from Northern Mexico, along with German and Czech polka and waltzes, and incorporates instruments like the accordion. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 15 Feb. 2024 An accordion rests in the foyer of the 1926 bungalow. Joe Sills, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Guitars flutter, an accordion wheezes and a singer unwinds the triumphant tale of Fernando Ochoa Jauregui, a Modesto-area builder of food trucks and trailers. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 There was an accordion player who my mom first saw on the street. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2024 Granted, a few cast members pick up a few instruments — an accordion here, a violin there, a guitar everywhere — but even that can’t explain the marvel of it all. Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024 They’re joined by accordion player Félim Egan and veteran Dublin pianist Eamonn Flynn, whose backed acts such as Zigaboo Modeliste, Taj Mahal, and Michael Franti and Spearhead. Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The boxy accordion design divides the bag into two separate compartments for easy organization, and there’s a useful zippered wall pocket inside. Paula Lee, Glamour, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accordion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Apr. 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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