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. short for piano accordion

Other Word Forms

• accordionist 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

In Disney’s new “Monsters, Inc.” it’s a joke when the film briefly plunks down in Paris and there’s accordion music playing — that’s our movie-fed idea of Paris.

From Salon

The performance of Raglan Road was no different, with everyone singing together as the violin, accordion and guitar were played while the musicians stood in a circle at the pub.

From BBC

He unleashed his Hohner accordion not just at concerts but for benefits ranging from student scholarships to the successful campaign of L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

When she was 3, her father bought her an accordion and she spent her childhood learning Italian folk songs.

From Los Angeles Times

Encouraged by her father, she started playing the accordion at the age of three.

From BBC