concords

Concords are the plural form of concord and are used to denote multiple instances of agreement or harmony. In linguistics, concord (or agreement) is the grammatical alignment between words in a sentence, such that certain features of one word match those of another. This includes number, gender, person, and case. Common manifestations include subject-verb agreement (The cat runs; The cats run) and noun–adjective or pronoun–antecedent concord in languages with rich inflection. Some languages have extensive agreement systems, while others, like English, show limited concord beyond the verb in number.

In music, concords (often called consonances) describe combinations of notes that sound stable and harmonious. In traditional Western theory, consonant intervals include the octave and perfect fifth; major and minor thirds and sixths are also treated as consonant in many contexts, while seconds, sevenths, and certain dissonant intervals create tension and require resolution. The management of concords in melody and harmony underpins tonal progressions and voice-leading, influencing chord choices and melodic motion.

In broader usage, concord denotes agreement or harmony across different domains, from diplomatic accords to social or scientific alignment. The term can appear in historical or legal contexts to describe formal treaties and peaceful coordination among parties. It is also encountered in place names and organizational titles, where it signals principled agreement or unity among diverse elements.