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
His accordion style is found in the DNA of acts like Intocable and Grupo Frontera. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025 The song features beautiful accordion melodies that blend Silvestre’s high vocals with Carín León’s raspy tones. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 11 Apr. 2025 The filing also details various financial agreements, including a new credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., reducing the base lending commitment to $35.0 million with an accordion feature for an additional $30.0 million. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2025 The traditional norteño sax group, which includes a saxophone, accordion and baja sexto in its ensemble, closed out the showcase with deep romanticism and irresistible energy. Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accordion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accordion. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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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