1. Music. A combination of three or more pitches sounded simultaneously.
2. Harmony, as of color.

1. To be in accord; agree.
2. Music. To play chords on an instrument.

1. Music. To play chords on.
2. To harmonize.

[Alteration (influenced by chord, musical instrument string) of Middle English cord, from accord, agreement, from Old French acorde, from acorder, to agree. See accord.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.