accession in 30 Seconds
- Accession is a formal noun describing the act of taking a high office, like a throne, or joining an international organization or treaty.
- In the world of art and libraries, it refers to the official process of adding a new item to a permanent collection or archive.
- The term is highly formal and is typically used in legal, historical, diplomatic, and professional institutional contexts rather than in casual speech.
- It is often confused with 'access' or 'succession' but has a distinct meaning related to the official recording or attainment of a new status.
The word accession is a sophisticated noun that carries significant weight in legal, historical, and institutional contexts. At its core, it refers to the act of reaching a position of power or joining a group. However, its application varies widely depending on the field. In the realm of monarchy and government, it specifically denotes the moment a person becomes a king, queen, or high official. When we talk about international relations, it describes the formal process by which a nation becomes a member of a treaty or an organization like the United Nations or the European Union. In the world of art and preservation, it refers to the formal recording of a new object into a permanent collection. Understanding this word requires looking at the transition from one state to another—from being a private citizen to a monarch, from being an external nation to a member state, or from being a random object to a cataloged treasure.
- The Royal Context
- This is perhaps the most famous use. It describes the formal 'stepping up' to the throne. It is not just the coronation ceremony, but the legal moment the power is transferred.
- The Diplomatic Context
- Countries undergo an 'accession process' to join international bodies. This involves meeting criteria, signing documents, and being officially accepted by existing members.
- The Archival Context
- Museums and libraries use 'accession' to describe the addition of items. Every item gets an 'accession number' to track its entry into the permanent record.
The historian spent years researching the Queen's accession to the throne during the mid-twentieth century.
People use this word when they want to sound precise and formal. You won't hear it often in casual conversation about joining a local gym, but you will hear it in news reports about global politics or royal transitions. It implies a formal procedure, a set of rules, and a permanent change in status. It is a word of gravity and official record-keeping. Whether it is a new book entering a library's database or a new country joining NATO, the word signifies that a formal boundary has been crossed and a new relationship has been established. It is also used in legal property law to describe the right to all that one's property produces, or to that which is united to it, either naturally or artificially.
The museum celebrated the accession of a rare Van Gogh painting to its permanent gallery.
Negotiations for the country's accession to the trade union lasted for over a decade.
The document marks the official accession of the prince to the regency.
Each new item requires an accession record to be created by the librarian.
Using accession correctly involves understanding the prepositions that usually follow it. Most commonly, we use 'accession to'. You have an accession to the throne, accession to a treaty, or accession to a collection. It functions strictly as a noun, so it often takes the role of the subject or the direct object in a formal sentence. Because it describes a process or an event, it is frequently paired with verbs like 'celebrate', 'negotiate', 'mark', 'document', or 'facilitate'. When discussing museums, it is often used as a modifier, as in 'accession number' or 'accession records'.
- Subject Position
- The accession of the new member state was met with cheers from the assembly. (Here, it is the thing performing the action of being met with cheers.)
- Object Position
- The committee voted to approve the accession of the artifacts. (Here, it is the thing being acted upon.)
- Compound Noun
- Please write the accession number clearly on the back of the photograph. (Used as a descriptor for 'number'.)
Upon his accession, the king promised to reform the tax system.
In academic writing, you might see it used in more abstract ways. For instance, 'the accession of wealth' can refer to the increase or addition of riches, though 'accumulation' is more common. In legal texts, 'accession' refers to the right to ownership of everything which is produced by the thing owned, such as the calves of a cow. This is a very niche use but illustrates the word's depth. To use it naturally, stick to the contexts of leadership, international membership, or archival additions. Avoid using it for simple acts of joining a small group or buying a common item. It requires a sense of formality and permanence. If you are writing about a country joining the World Trade Organization, 'accession' is the perfect, professional choice. If you are writing about a new king taking over after a predecessor's death, 'accession' is the historically accurate term.
The library's accession policy was updated to include digital media.
He documented the accession of various territories to the empire.
The treaty's accession clause allows for new signatories.
The accession of the property by the state caused a legal battle.
You are most likely to encounter accession in three specific environments: news broadcasts, historical documentaries, and professional institutional settings. In the news, anchors use it when discussing geopolitics. For example, during discussions about Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the term 'accession talks' was used repeatedly to describe the high-level negotiations. It emphasizes the legal and formal nature of a country becoming a part of a larger security or economic block. If you watch historical dramas or documentaries about the British Royal Family, such as 'The Crown,' the term 'accession' is used to describe the immediate moment a monarch dies and their heir becomes the new ruler. It is a word that bridges the gap between the personal life of a royal and their official state role.
- News & Politics
- 'The Prime Minister expressed support for the nation's accession to the European Union.'
- Documentaries
- 'Following the King's death, the accession of his daughter was met with great public interest.'
- Professional Archives
- 'The curator is currently managing the accession of the newly donated private papers.'
The news report detailed the long road to accession for the Balkan states.
In the academic world, particularly in history and art history, 'accession' is a technical term. If you visit a museum and look closely at the small labels next to the paintings, you might see a number that looks like '2023.12.1'. This is an accession number. The first part usually indicates the year of accession. Hearing the word in this context signifies a professional standard of care and cataloging. Librarians also use it when they receive new books. In legal circles, accession is discussed in the context of property rights and international treaties. It is a word that implies a paper trail and a series of official stamps. It is rarely heard in slang or casual street talk because it describes processes that are inherently formal and structured.
Public interest in the accession ceremony reached record highs.
The archival team is overwhelmed by the accession of ten thousand new files.
International law defines the requirements for treaty accession.
The accession of the new director brought a change in the company's strategy.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with accession is confusing it with the much more common word 'access'. While they share the same root, they are not interchangeable. 'Access' refers to the ability to enter or use something (e.g., 'I have access to the building'). 'Accession' refers to the formal act of reaching a position or joining a group. You wouldn't say 'the accession to the building' unless you were a king formally taking over the building as your seat of power. Another common error is confusing 'accession' with 'succession'. While they are closely related in the context of royalty, 'succession' refers to the order or the sequence of people who will take over, while 'accession' is the specific act of the next person taking over.
- Access vs. Accession
- Wrong: The country's access to the EU was difficult. Correct: The country's accession to the EU was difficult. (Accession implies the formal membership process.)
- Succession vs. Accession
- Wrong: The king's succession was celebrated. Correct: The king's accession was celebrated. (Succession is the plan; accession is the event.)
- Concession vs. Accession
- A concession is giving something up, which is almost the opposite of accession (gaining a position).
Many people mistakenly say 'accession' when they simply mean 'entrance' or 'entry'.
Additionally, spelling can be tricky. Because it sounds like 'succession' and 'obsession', people often double the wrong letters. Remember: one 'c', two 's's in the middle, and 'ion' at the end. In terms of usage, don't use 'accession' for casual additions. If you buy a new pair of shoes, it is not an 'accession to your wardrobe' unless you are being intentionally humorous or overly dramatic. It is also important to remember the preposition 'to'. Saying 'accession of the throne' is less common and often considered slightly incorrect compared to 'accession to the throne'. Finally, avoid using it as a verb. While 'to accede' is the related verb, 'to accession' is only used in very specific museum contexts (meaning to record an item), but even then, 'to catalog' or 'to record' is clearer for general audiences.
Avoid: 'He had accession to the files.' Use: 'He had access to the files.'
Avoid: 'The accession of the stairs.' Use: 'The ascent of the stairs.'
Avoid: 'The accession of his mistake.' Use: 'The admission of his mistake.'
Avoid: 'His accession to the club.' (unless it's a very formal club). Use: 'His joining the club.'
Because accession is so specific, it is helpful to know which words to use when you want to convey a similar idea but in a different context. If you are talking about someone getting a high-level job that isn't a monarchy, you might use 'attainment', 'assumption', or 'induction'. If you are talking about adding things to a list or a collection in a less formal way, 'addition' or 'acquisition' are excellent choices. Understanding the nuances between these words will make your English sound more natural and precise. For instance, 'acquisition' focuses on the act of getting something, while 'accession' focuses on the act of recording it or it officially becoming part of the whole.
- Accession vs. Acquisition
- Acquisition is the buying or obtaining. Accession is the formal entry into the collection. You acquire a painting, then you process its accession.
- Accession vs. Inauguration
- Inauguration is the ceremony for a president. Accession is the legal fact of taking power for a monarch.
- Accession vs. Entry
- Entry is general. Accession is used for formal groups like the EU or the WTO.
The attainment of the presidency was his lifelong goal. (Alternative to accession for elected roles).
Other synonyms include 'joining', 'enrollment', and 'integration'. In a legal sense, 'accretion' is sometimes used as a synonym for accession when describing the gradual addition of land by natural forces (like a river moving soil). In a biological context, 'accession' can refer to a specific sample of a plant or DNA kept in a gene bank. If you find 'accession' too formal, you can often replace it with 'joining' or 'taking over', but be careful not to lose the specific legal or formal meaning the original word carries. In the context of the EU, 'accession' is the only correct technical term. Using 'joining' is fine for conversation, but 'accession' shows you understand the official process. When discussing a library, 'new arrivals' is a casual alternative to 'recent accessions'.
The integration of the new states took several years of planning.
The acquisition of the company was finalized yesterday.
The assumption of power occurred during a time of crisis.
The induction ceremony for the new members is next Friday.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The word 'accession' and 'succession' both come from the same Latin root 'cedere' (to go). While 'succession' means going after someone, 'accession' means going toward a position.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'cc' as a single 's' sound (like 'as-sesh-un').
- Stressing the first syllable (AC-ces-sion).
- Confusing it with 'action'.
- Confusing it with 'access'.
- Missing the 'sh' sound in the 'sion' ending.
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding of formal and institutional contexts.
Tricky spelling and specific prepositional usage ('to').
Rarely used in speech, so it can sound overly formal if used incorrectly.
Easy to confuse with 'access' or 'succession' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nouns followed by 'to'
His accession to the throne was celebrated.
Compound Nouns
The accession number is 456.
Gerund as Adjective
The accessioning team is working late.
Passive Voice with Nouns
The accession was approved by the board.
Possessive Modifiers
The country's accession took five years.
Examples by Level
The king's accession was a big day.
The day he became king.
Noun used as the subject.
The library has a new accession.
A new book was added.
Noun used as a count noun.
We learned about the accession of the queen.
When she became queen.
Prepositional phrase 'of the queen'.
Joining the club is like an accession.
It is like a formal joining.
Simile using 'like'.
The museum's accession number is on the tag.
The special number for the art.
Used as a modifier for 'number'.
He celebrated his accession to the group.
He was happy to join.
Preposition 'to' used after accession.
Accession means becoming a leader.
Definition of the word.
Simple definition sentence.
The story tells of the prince's accession.
The story of him becoming king.
Possessive noun 'prince's'.
The accession of the new country to the group was slow.
Joining the group took a long time.
Subject-verb agreement with 'was'.
Each museum item needs an accession record.
A paper for each new thing.
Compound noun 'accession record'.
The Queen's accession happened many years ago.
She became queen a long time ago.
Past tense verb 'happened'.
They talked about the accession of the new members.
They discussed the new people joining.
Prepositional phrase 'of the new members'.
The accession to the throne was very formal.
The event was very serious and official.
Adjective 'formal' describing the noun.
The school celebrated the accession of the new principal.
The school was happy for the new leader.
Direct object 'accession'.
We found the accession date in the history book.
The date they joined or took power.
Compound noun 'accession date'.
The accession of the artifacts was completed yesterday.
Adding the items was finished.
Passive voice 'was completed'.
The treaty of accession was signed by all leaders.
The formal joining paper was signed.
Genitive construction 'treaty of accession'.
Historians study the accession of monarchs to understand power.
They study how kings take over.
Plural noun 'monarchs'.
The museum is processing the accession of a private collection.
They are adding many items from one person.
Present continuous 'is processing'.
Accession to the European Union requires many reforms.
Joining the EU needs many changes.
Noun as a subject followed by a prepositional phrase.
The document marks the official accession of the territory.
The paper shows the land was added.
Verb 'marks' showing significance.
He was responsible for the accession of new books to the library.
He was the one adding the books.
Adjective phrase 'responsible for'.
The public was invited to witness the accession ceremony.
People could watch the formal event.
Infinitive 'to witness'.
Her accession to the directorship was unexpected.
No one thought she would become the leader.
Adjective 'unexpected' modifying the subject.
The accession of the Balkan states remains a priority for the council.
Joining these countries is very important.
Complex subject phrase.
The museum's accession policy ensures all items are ethically sourced.
The rules for adding items say they must be legal.
Possessive 'museum's' modifying 'accession policy'.
The accession of the new CEO led to a shift in company culture.
The new leader changed how people work.
Causal relationship expressed with 'led to'.
Upon the King's death, the accession of the heir is immediate.
The next person becomes leader right away.
Prepositional phrase 'Upon the King's death'.
The accession number is unique to each object in the database.
Every item has its own special number.
Predicate adjective 'unique'.
Negotiations for the country's accession to the WTO were complex.
The talks to join the trade group were hard.
Plural noun 'Negotiations'.
The archives contain records of the city's accession to the province.
The files show when the city joined the state.
Noun 'records' followed by a prepositional phrase.
Accession to the treaty is open to all sovereign nations.
Any country can join the agreement.
Adjective 'open' following the subject.
The legal implications of the accession were debated in the high court.
Lawyers argued about the results of the joining.
Noun 'implications' modified by 'legal'.
The registrar is meticulously documenting the accession of the estate.
The official is carefully recording the new property.
Adverb 'meticulously' modifying 'documenting'.
Accession to the throne was historically accompanied by a religious rite.
Becoming king used to involve a church ceremony.
Passive voice 'was accompanied'.
The state's accession to the convention signifies its commitment to human rights.
Joining the agreement shows they care about rights.
Verb 'signifies' indicating meaning.
The accessioning process must account for the provenance of the work.
The recording must show where the art came from.
Gerund 'accessioning' used as an adjective.
The accession of the newly discovered letters provided fresh insights into the poet's life.
Adding the letters gave new information.
Complex subject followed by 'provided'.
The treaty's accession clause allows for future expansion of the alliance.
The part of the paper about joining lets more people in later.
Compound noun 'accession clause'.
The accession of wealth by the church was a point of contention.
The church getting more money caused arguments.
Prepositional phrase 'by the church'.
The constitutional nuances of the monarch's accession are often misunderstood by the public.
The small legal details of taking power are confusing.
Subject 'nuances' is plural.
The accession of the territory was achieved through a combination of diplomacy and coercion.
They got the land by talking and by force.
Passive voice with an agent phrase 'through a combination'.
In property law, accession refers to the right to all that one's property produces.
Ownership of what your stuff makes.
Defining 'accession' in a specific legal context.
The accessioning of digital records presents unique challenges for modern archivists.
Adding digital files is hard for people who save things.
Gerund phrase as a subject.
The geopolitical landscape shifted significantly following the accession of the three Baltic states.
The world map changed after they joined.
Participial phrase 'following the accession'.
The accession of the new evidence forced a reopening of the cold case.
Adding new proof made them look at the old crime again.
Causal verb 'forced'.
The museum's deaccessioning of minor works funded the accession of a masterpiece.
Selling small art let them buy a big one.
Contrast between 'deaccessioning' and 'accession'.
The accession of the prince to the regency marked a period of relative stability.
When he took power, things were calm.
Noun 'regency' indicating a specific type of rule.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A group of officials in the UK that formally announces the new monarch.
The Accession Council met at St. James's Palace.
— A legal document by which a state joins an international agreement or federation.
The prince signed the Instrument of Accession to join the union.
— The anniversary of the date a monarch took the throne.
The Queen spent Accession Day in quiet reflection.
— The set of rules a museum follows to add new items.
The museum's accessioning policy is available online.
— Formal discussions about the terms of joining an organization.
Accession negotiations can take many years.
— A legal principle regarding ownership of additions to property.
He claimed the right of accession over the new fence.
— A list of new items added to a library or archive.
Check the monthly accession list for new books.
— A cost associated with joining a formal body (rare).
The accession fee for the trade block is substantial.
— The specific steps required to complete a joining process.
The accession protocol was followed to the letter.
— A country that is in the process of joining an organization.
The accession state must align its laws with the union.
Often Confused With
Access is the ability to enter; accession is the formal act of joining or taking power.
Succession is the sequence of followers; accession is the specific act of the next person taking over.
Concession is giving something up; accession is gaining or adding something.
Idioms & Expressions
— Waiting for a long time to take over a position or inheritance.
The prince has been waiting for his accession for decades.
literary/formal— Making the necessary preparations for someone to take power or join.
The new reforms paved the way for the country's accession.
political— The long and often difficult process of reaching a goal or joining a group.
The road to accession for the small nation was filled with obstacles.
journalistic— Gaining something because it is naturally connected to what you already own.
He owned the land and, by right of accession, the minerals beneath it.
legal— Speeding up the formal process of joining or taking power.
The council voted for a fast-track accession due to the crisis.
political— To prevent a person or country from joining or taking power.
Two member states moved to block the accession of the new candidate.
political— A formal public event to honor a new leader's start.
The city was decorated to celebrate the accession of the new Duke.
formal— Formally agreeing to do what someone has asked (rare usage of the noun).
His accession to their request was seen as a sign of weakness.
old-fashioned— Taking a position without anyone else trying to stop it.
The CEO's accession was uncontested by the board.
business/formal— The historical documentation of things being added or people taking power.
The records of accession are kept in the national vault.
archivalEasily Confused
Similar beginning sound.
An assessment is an evaluation or test; accession is a joining or attainment.
The teacher gave an assessment, while the King celebrated his accession.
Very similar sound and meaning (rising).
Ascension often has a religious or physical meaning (rising up); accession is institutional or legal.
The ascension of the balloon was beautiful, but the accession of the Queen was historic.
Both involve getting something new.
Acquisition is the act of getting; accession is the formal recording or the joining of a body.
The acquisition of the company led to the accession of new board members.
Both involve entering a group.
Admission is being allowed in; accession is the formal process of becoming a member (usually higher level).
His admission to the college was easy, but the country's accession to the EU was hard.
Similar ending sound.
Action is doing something; accession is a status change.
The action was fast, but the accession was a slow process.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun]'s accession to [noun] was [adjective].
The King's accession to the throne was peaceful.
Negotiations for [noun]'s accession are [verb]ing.
Negotiations for the country's accession are continuing.
The [adjective] accession of [noun] marked a [noun].
The formal accession of the territory marked a new era.
Each [noun] is assigned an accession [noun].
Each painting is assigned an accession number.
Accession to [noun] signifies [noun].
Accession to the treaty signifies total compliance.
The [noun] of [noun] funded the accession of [noun].
The sale of artifacts funded the accession of new works.
He celebrated his accession.
The prince celebrated his accession.
Look at the accession [noun].
Look at the accession record.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in news and history; rare in daily life.
-
Using 'accession' instead of 'access'.
→
I have access to the library.
Access is the ability to enter; accession is a formal joining or taking of power.
-
Saying 'accession of the throne'.
→
Accession to the throne.
While 'of' is sometimes used, 'to' is the standard preposition for the goal of the accession.
-
Spelling it 'acesion' or 'accesson'.
→
Accession.
It requires the double 's' and the 'i' before the 'o'.
-
Using it for a simple promotion.
→
His promotion to manager.
'Accession' is too formal for most workplace changes unless it's a very high office.
-
Confusing it with 'ascension'.
→
The accession of the King.
'Ascension' usually refers to rising physically or spiritually; 'accession' is institutional.
Tips
Use for High-Level Contexts
Keep 'accession' for things like kings, countries, and expensive art. Using it for your new cat might be funny, but it's not standard English.
Remember the Preposition
The word 'to' is the best friend of 'accession'. If you are joining something, you are making an 'accession to' it.
Double S, not Double C
It's 'accession'—one 'c' followed by another 'c', then two 's's. Think of 'Access' + 'Session'.
Museum Labels
Next time you are in a museum, look at the tiny numbers on the labels. That's the accession number. Seeing it in real life helps you remember it!
The Crown Never Dies
In the UK, accession is immediate. The moment one monarch dies, the next one has their accession. There is no gap in power.
EU and NATO
These organizations always use the word 'accession' for new countries. It's the technical term for their expansion.
Property Rights
In law, if your cow has a calf, the calf is yours by 'accession'. It's an addition to what you already own.
Formal Writing
Use 'accession' in your IELTS or TOEFL writing to show you have a B2/C1 level vocabulary.
Watch Historical Dramas
Shows like 'The Crown' use this word correctly and frequently. It's great for hearing the natural pronunciation.
Succession vs Accession
Succession is the list of people waiting. Accession is when the person at the top of the list actually gets the job.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Accession = Access + Ion. When you get 'Access' to the 'Throne' (or a group), it is your 'Accession'.
Visual Association
Imagine a prince walking up a long set of stairs toward a glowing crown. Each step is part of the 'accession'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'accession' in a sentence about a museum and then in a sentence about a king. Notice how the meaning stays the same but the context changes.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'accessio', which comes from the verb 'accedere'. 'Ac-' is a prefix meaning 'to' and 'cedere' means 'to go'. So the literal meaning is 'to go to' or 'to approach'.
Original meaning: A coming to, an approach, or an addition.
Indo-European (Latin branch).Cultural Context
No major sensitivities, but use it carefully in political contexts where joining an organization might be controversial.
Commonly heard during royal transitions in the UK and Commonwealth countries.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Monarchy
- accession to the throne
- accession council
- proclaim the accession
- anniversary of accession
International Relations
- treaty of accession
- accession negotiations
- meet accession criteria
- accession to the EU
Museums and Libraries
- accession number
- accession record
- new accessions
- accessioning process
Property Law
- right of accession
- accession of property
- natural accession
- artificial accession
Academic History
- date of accession
- uncontested accession
- accession by force
- peaceful accession
Conversation Starters
"How does the accession of a new monarch change a country's identity?"
"What are the hardest parts of the accession process for a country joining the EU?"
"Do you think a museum's accession policy should be open to the public?"
"How is an accession different from a simple job promotion in your opinion?"
"Have you ever seen an accession number on an artifact in a museum?"
Journal Prompts
Imagine you are a prince or princess. Describe the day of your accession to the throne.
Write about a time you joined a very formal group. Was the accession process difficult?
If you were a museum curator, what kind of items would you want to prioritize for accession?
Research a country's accession to an international group and summarize the challenges they faced.
Explain why the word 'accession' sounds more important than the word 'joining'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsOnly if it is a very high-level, formal position like a CEO or a director. For normal jobs, 'starting' or 'promotion' is better. Using 'accession' for a regular job sounds like a joke.
No. Accession is the legal moment someone becomes monarch (often the moment the previous one dies). Coronation is the religious ceremony with the crown that happens later.
It is a unique ID given to an object when it is added to a museum or library collection. It usually includes the year it was added.
It is pronounced like 'ks', exactly like the 'cc' in the word 'succession' or 'accident'. It is not a soft 's' sound.
The verb is 'accede'. For example, 'He acceded to the throne.' In museum contexts, some people use 'accessioning' as a verb, but 'to catalog' is more common.
No, 'accession' is the noun. The verb is 'accede'. So, 'The country acceded to the treaty' or 'The country's accession to the treaty was successful.'
Usually, it is seen as a positive step or a formal growth, but in history, an accession by force (like a coup) can be a negative event.
It is the opposite of accession. It is when a museum officially removes an item from its collection, usually to sell it or give it to another museum.
Yes, in biology, an 'accession' is a specific sample of a plant, animal, or DNA that is kept in a gene bank for research.
Use 'accession to' for the thing being joined (throne, treaty). Use 'accession of' for the person or thing doing the joining (the King, the country).
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Summary
Accession is the formal 'entry point' for power, membership, or collections. For example, 'The country's accession to NATO' or 'The Queen's accession to the throne' both describe an official and permanent change in status.
- Accession is a formal noun describing the act of taking a high office, like a throne, or joining an international organization or treaty.
- In the world of art and libraries, it refers to the official process of adding a new item to a permanent collection or archive.
- The term is highly formal and is typically used in legal, historical, diplomatic, and professional institutional contexts rather than in casual speech.
- It is often confused with 'access' or 'succession' but has a distinct meaning related to the official recording or attainment of a new status.
Use for High-Level Contexts
Keep 'accession' for things like kings, countries, and expensive art. Using it for your new cat might be funny, but it's not standard English.
Remember the Preposition
The word 'to' is the best friend of 'accession'. If you are joining something, you are making an 'accession to' it.
Double S, not Double C
It's 'accession'—one 'c' followed by another 'c', then two 's's. Think of 'Access' + 'Session'.
Museum Labels
Next time you are in a museum, look at the tiny numbers on the labels. That's the accession number. Seeing it in real life helps you remember it!
Example
The museum's latest accession is a rare landscape painting by a local 19th-century artist.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
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B2Relating to elections or the process of voting to choose someone for a public office. It can also refer to the group of people, called electors, who are chosen to cast votes in an election.
states
B1The plural form of 'state,' referring to organized political communities under one government or sovereign territories. As a verb, it is the third-person singular present form of 'state,' meaning to express or declare something formally in speech or writing.
brexit
B1Brexit is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The term is a portmanteau of the words 'British' and 'exit', referring to the process that began after a public referendum in June 2016.
democracy
B1Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. It typically involves periodic elections, the protection of individual rights, and the rule of law.
voting
B1The formal activity or process of choosing someone or something in an election, meeting, or group decision by marking a paper, raising a hand, or speaking.
empire
B1An empire is a group of states or countries ruled over by a single monarch, an oligarchy, or a sovereign state. It can also refer to a large commercial organization that is owned or controlled by one person or family.
president
A2The official leader of a country that is a republic, usually chosen by an election. It also refers to the person who holds the highest position in a company, organization, or club.
