# accordion

/əˈkɔɹdiən/ (US) · /ɐkˈɔːdiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accordion
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. musical instrument

noun · CEFR B2

a box-shaped musical instrument that you play by pulling and pushing its sides while pressing keys or buttons.

For teachers: a portable wind instrument consisting of two reed organs connected by folding bellows, played by compressing and expanding the bellows while operating keys or buttons.

- The street performer played a lively folk song on his accordion.
- The traditional folk ensemble featured a virtuoso accordion player whose rapid bellows work provided a rhythmic foundation for the entire performance.

### 2. computing interface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a list on a website where you can click items to show or hide more information.

For teachers: a graphical control element comprising a vertically stacked list of items that can be expanded or collapsed to reveal associated content.

- The FAQ page uses an accordion to keep the layout clean and organized.
- Implementing an accordion for the mobile navigation menu significantly improved the user experience by reducing vertical scrolling requirements.

### 3. to fold or collapse

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to fold up or crush together like the middle part of an accordion.

For teachers: to fold, crush, or collapse in a manner resembling the pleats of an accordion bellows.

- The front of the car accordioned when it hit the wall.
- The impact was so severe that the metal body of the trailer accordioned, trapping the cargo within the compressed steel folds.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb to describe physical objects collapsing under pressure.

## Examples

- He plays the accordion in a local folk band.
- The street performer squeezed his accordion, filling the square with a lively traditional melody that made people stop and dance.
- While often associated with European folk traditions, the accordion has been integrated into diverse genres ranging from Argentine tango to contemporary avant-garde compositions due to its unique bellows-driven dynamics.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.