Accord means agreement or harmony between people or groups. When two friends reach an accord about which movie to watch, they've found a solution that works for both of them. When nations sign a peace accord, they're formally agreeing to stop fighting and work together.

The word suggests shared understanding or fair negotiation. Accord can mean people genuinely share the same view or have negotiated something fair. Scientists might work in accord with each other's findings, meaning their research supports and aligns with one another's conclusions. A family might reach an accord about household chores, with everyone understanding and accepting their responsibilities.

You might also hear the phrase of one's own accord, which means doing something voluntarily, without being asked or forced. If you clean your room of your own accord, you decided to do it yourself rather than waiting for your parents to remind you.

When people act in accord with their values, their choices match what they believe is important.