accordion

[ uh-kawr-dee-uhn ]

noun

, Music.

1. Also called piano accordion. a portable wind instrument having a large bellows for forcing air through small metal reeds, a keyboard for the right hand, and buttons for sounding single bass notes or chords for the left hand.
2. a similar instrument having single-note buttons instead of a keyboard.

adjective

1. having a fold or folds like the bellows of an accordion:

   accordion roof; accordion panel.

verb (used without object)

1. (of a door, roof, or other covering) to open by folding back or pressing together in the manner of an accordion:

   The roof of the car accordions to let in sunlight and fresh air.

2. to fold, crush together, or collapse in the manner of an accordion.

verb (used with object)

1. to demolish by crushing together lengthwise:

   The impact accordioned the car beneath the truck.

accordion

/ əˈkɔːdɪən /

noun

1. a portable box-shaped instrument of the reed organ family, consisting of metallic reeds that are made to vibrate by air from a set of bellows controlled by the player's hands. Notes are produced by means of studlike keys
2. See piano accordion
   short for piano accordion

Derived Forms

• acˈcordionist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accordion¹

1831; < German, now spelling Akkordion, Akkordeon name under which the instrument was patented in Vienna in 1829; probably < French accord ( er ) or Italian accord ( are ) to harmonize ( accord ) + French -ion -ion, as in German Orchestrion orchestrion

Word History and Origins

Origin of accordion¹

C19: from German Akkordion, from Akkord harmony, chord

Example Sentences

Some operate like bellows, creating an accordion-like sound as they aspirate.

From The Daily Beast

He had skinny legs and bloated ribs fanning from his torso like an accordion strapped to his chest.

From The Daily Beast

The questions presented by the lower folds in the accordion are economic and social.

From The Daily Beast

We live in an accordion economy, as I'm not the first to say.

From The Daily Beast

A straight-faced clown in severe white makeup begins picking out a tune on an accordion as more people trickle in to watch.

From The Daily Beast

A sailor, who had brought an accordion with him, was playing "While the North Sea roars," and other popular airs.

From Project Gutenberg

The proprietor, being angry, rescued the accordion roughly; whereupon Anne pouted and cast appealing glances on her friends.

From Project Gutenberg

However, Muriel in her salmon-coloured, accordion-pleated frock bowled Michael off his superior pedestal.

From Project Gutenberg

It seemed to have been pleated and shoved together like an accordion.

From Project Gutenberg

Poor Mr. Nicholson had bought an accordion, which he amused himself in the long evenings with playing.

From Project Gutenberg