accord

1 of 2

verb

ac·​cord ə-ˈkȯrd How to pronounce accord (audio)
accorded; according; accords

transitive verb

1
: to grant or give especially as appropriate, due, or earned
The competitors should all be accorded equal respect.
2
: to bring into agreement : reconcile

intransitive verb

1
: to be consistent or in harmony : agree
usually used with with
a theory that accords with the known facts
2
archaic : to arrive at an agreement
3
obsolete : to give consent

accord

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: agreement, conformity
acted in accord with the company's policy
b
: a formal reaching of agreement : compact, treaty
a peace accord
2
: voluntary or spontaneous impulse to act
gave generously of their own accord
3
: balanced interrelationship : harmony
4
obsolete : assent

Did you know?

A new federal law may accord with—or be in accordance with—the guidelines that a company has already established. The rowdy behavior of the hero Beowulf accords with Norse ideals of the early Middle Ages; but such behavior wouldn't have been in accordance with the ideals of a later young lord from the same general region, Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet. Accord is also a noun, meaning "agreement". Thus, we often hear of two countries signing a peace accord; and we also frequently hear of two things or people being "in accord with" each other.

Choose the Right Synonym for accord

grant, concede, vouchsafe, accord, award mean to give as a favor or a right.

grant implies giving to a claimant or petitioner something that could be withheld.

granted them a new hearing

concede implies yielding something reluctantly in response to a rightful or compelling claim.

even her critics concede she can be charming

vouchsafe implies granting something as a courtesy or an act of gracious condescension.

vouchsafed the secret to only a few chosen disciples

accord implies giving to another what is due or proper.

accorded all the honors befitting a head of state

award implies giving what is deserved or merited usually after a careful weighing of pertinent factors.

awarded the company a huge defense contract

Examples of accord in a Sentence

Verb He was accorded certain favors because of his age. claims that the newspaper's quote does not accord with what he actually said Noun The two sides were able to reach an accord. hoped to bring about a peace accord between the warring nations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The delicate sweet almond accord mixed with cedar lends it a depth ideal for transitional weather. Bea McMonagle, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Ukraine's air force says the attack consisted of 111 Russian drones, 65 of which were shot down and another 35 of which were disabled electronically or failed of their own accord. Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 30 Mar. 2025 By The Fireplace’s chestnut and clove notes complement the birch and incense in Vanilla Smoke, while the combined vanilla accords create a rich warmth that feels like being wrapped in a cashmere blanket next to a dying fire. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 24 Mar. 2025 With that in mind, Republicans are practically drooling at the prospect that a few of their top Democratic targets might leave the lower chamber on their own accord before voters ever go to the polls. Mike Lillis, The Hill, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for accord

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English accorden, acorden "to reconcile, come to an agreement, be in agreement," borrowed from Anglo-French acorder, going back to Vulgar Latin *accordāre, from Latin ad- ad- + -cordāre, as in concordāre "to be in agreement," discordāre "to be in conflict" — more at concordance

Noun

Middle English accord, acord, borrowed from Anglo-French acord, acorde, noun derivative of acorder "to come to an agreement, accord entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of accord was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accord. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

accord

1 of 2 verb
ac·​cord ə-ˈkȯrd How to pronounce accord (audio)
1
: to grant as suitable or proper
rights accorded to citizens
2
: to be in harmony : agree
a theory that accords with known fact

accord

2 of 2 noun
1
b
: an agreement between parties
reach an accord
2
: willingness to act or do something
went of their own accord

Legal Definition

accord

1 of 2 transitive verb
ac·​cord ə-ˈkȯrd How to pronounce accord (audio)
1
: to bring into agreement
2
: to grant or give especially as appropriate, due, or earned

intransitive verb

: to be consistent or in harmony

Note: Accord in this sense is often used to introduce a case or an authority that accords with the case or authority just cited, as for example in a sentence like “… a decision based on equitable principles. Accord Smith v. Jones, 1 F.2d 2 (1900).”

accord

2 of 2 noun
1
: agreement of opinion
both cases in accord
2
: a formal act of agreement : treaty
an economic accord
3
: an accepted offer by which the parties agree that a specified future performance will discharge in full an obligation when performed even though the performance is of less value than the original obligation
also : the defense that an accord was agreed upon
usually used in the phrase accord and satisfaction

called also executory accord

compare composition, compromise, novation, satisfaction, substituted contract at contract, transaction sense 3

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