Accord

n.calm, kindformal

Meaning 1

A negotiated agreement that resolves or governs a shared matter.

Reach for it when naming a formal settlement between groups or institutions

The river accord sets clear limits while protecting both farming communities.

everyday
agreement
mutual acceptance is the plain central fact
not when Agreement may be informal and lacks accord's diplomatic tone.
professional
settlement
a dispute ends through negotiated terms
not when Settlement emphasizes ending a conflict, not an ongoing cooperative framework.
formal
pact
the parties make a compact promise to one another
not when Pact can sound secretive or strategic rather than broadly cooperative.
formal
treaty
sovereign states formalize obligations
not when Treaty is too specific for organizations or neighbors.

A state of harmony between people, ideas, or actions.

Reach for it when describing alignment that exists without a written settlement

Her actions remained in accord with the cooperative's stated values.

warm
harmony
parts or people coexist pleasingly without friction
not when Harmony can hide real disagreement that a formal accord manages.
professional
alignment
goals or actions point in the same direction
not when Alignment does not imply warmth or mutual consent.
literary
concord
peaceful agreement suits elevated historical prose
not when Concord sounds archaic in routine workplace writing.

reach an accord
The two councils reached an accord after weeks of public meetings.
peace accord
The peace accord reopened roads between the neighboring regions.
in accord with
The revised process is in accord with the published ethics policy.
mutual accord
The partners ended the arrangement by mutual accord.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.