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

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

From Los Angeles Times

There are two kinds of accordions — one with piano keys and one with buttons — but they have similar effects.

From Los Angeles Times

When Muñoz’s grandfather sold a cow so that he could afford a brand new accordion for his nieto, he probably never imagined that he was investing in a future norteño powerhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

Andy, who works as a music teacher, played accordion for children at the orphanage where he had been found.

From BBC

We have several pieces of art around the dining room that were created using vintage photos from that era as well as a large, antique accordion style camera by the entry way.

From Salon