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accord

uh-KORD /əˈkɔːrd/

nounB2SATGMATIELTS

diplomaticpolitical

An official, formal agreement or treaty between nations, organizations, or political parties.

An accord is a high-level, written agreement. It is often named after the city where it was negotiated (e.g., the Oslo Accords, the Paris Accord) and carries significant legal and symbolic weight.

The story behind the word. From the Old French 'acorder', which traces back to the Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'cor' (heart). It literally means 'to bring heart to heart'—signifying that two parties have brought their feelings and minds into perfect alignment.

Word relationships

treaty: A treaty is a formal, binding agreement under international law, whereas an accord can sometimes refer to a broader, more political framework that may or may not have the strict legal enforcement of a treaty.
pact: A pact is a formal agreement, often defensive or political, while an accord emphasizes the harmony and agreement of minds ('hearts') that led to the treaty.

discord: Discord is a lack of agreement or harmony; active disagreement and conflict.

Commonly confused with

alliance: An alliance is an ongoing partnership for mutual benefit (often military), while an accord is a specific agreement resolving a particular set of issues.

Word family

accordance (noun): Agreement or conformity (e.g., 'in accordance with the rules').
accordingly (adverb): In a way that is appropriate to the circumstances.

Collocations

sign an accord
reach an accord
peace accord
historic accord

Idioms & expressions

of one's own accord
in accordance with

Example sentences

"The historic environmental accord was signed by over one hundred nations in Paris, committing them to reduce carbon emissions." A news report on a major international climate agreement.
"This accord marks a new beginning of cooperation and mutual respect for our two nations." A diplomatic announcement regarding a peace treaty.

Memory hook

Think of a musical 'chord.' When notes are played in accord, they sound harmonious. An accord brings nations into harmony. Ac-cord: Hearts in harmony, like a beautiful chord.

When not to use

Do not use for informal, everyday agreements between friends (e.g., agreeing on where to eat dinner is not an 'accord').

Fun facts

The Camp David Accords, signed in 1978 by Egypt and Israel, led directly to the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, a historic milestone in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Explore more words

entente, pact, amicable, rapprochement, amity, alignment