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

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

They spent an evening sharing stories, eating traditional Georgian food, and singing while Gurgen played the accordion.

From BBC

Critically, the backbone can collapse and expand like an accordion that unfolds as it stretches.

From Science Daily

Eddie’s grandmother sewed clothes in a factory; his grandfather was a musician who played accordion and guitar in restaurants.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s the very first version, which is the accordion, and then there’s the version which is solid for me.

From Los Angeles Times

Guest musician Michael Ward-Bergeman plays the electric accordion with pedals, which can make it sound like a church organ.

From Los Angeles Times