# chord

/ˈkɔɹd/ (US) · /kˈɔːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/chord
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. music notes

noun · CEFR B2

three or more musical notes played at the same time to create a harmony.

For teachers: a harmonic set of three or more notes sounded simultaneously.

- The song begins with a simple guitar chord that everyone recognizes.
- The composer utilized a series of dissonant chords to evoke a sense of unease before resolving into a major key.

### 2. geometry

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a straight line that connects two points on a curved line or circle.

For teachers: a straight line segment whose endpoints both lie on a circular arc or other curve.

- The teacher asked us to draw a chord across the circle without passing through the center.
- In geometry, the diameter is technically the longest possible chord that can be drawn within a circle.

### 3. aviation/engineering

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the width of an aircraft wing from the front edge to the back edge.

For teachers: the distance between the leading and trailing edges of an aerofoil, measured in the direction of the normal airflow.

- Engineers measured the chord of the wing to calculate how much lift it would create.
- The tapered wing design features a varying chord length to optimize aerodynamic efficiency at high altitudes.

### 4. computing

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a keyboard shortcut where you press two or more keys in a specific order.

For teachers: a keyboard input method involving a combination of keys pressed simultaneously or in a specific sequence to execute a command.

- Some advanced text editors use a chord like Ctrl+K followed by Ctrl+C to comment out code.
- Power users often prefer chorded commands because they allow for a vast number of shortcuts without moving the hands from the home row.

### 5. to arrange music

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to write or provide the musical chords for a piece of music.

For teachers: to compose, provide, or arrange harmonic chords for a melody.

- She spent the afternoon chording the new song she wrote on her guitar.
- The pianist was asked to chord the folk melody, adding a modern jazz influence to the traditional structure.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, such as a song or a melody.

## Examples

- She learned how to play a basic C major chord on the guitar.
- The song opens with a single, powerful piano chord that sets a somber mood for the rest of the track.
- While simple pop songs often rely on three basic chords, jazz compositions frequently utilize complex extensions to create a more sophisticated harmonic texture.

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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.