Έγχορδα ονομάζονται τα μουσικά όργανα τα οποία διαθέτουν χορδές για την παραγωγή του ήχου. Τέτοια όργανα είναι: η κιθάρα, το μπάσο, το βιολί, το βιολοντσέλο, η βιόλα, το σαντούρι, το κανονάκι, το μπουζούκι, η άρπα, η λύρα, ο μπαγλαμάς, η μπαλαλάικα, το σιτάρ, το κοντραμπάσο κ.α.

String instruments, stringed instruments, or chordophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when a performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner.

Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the strings with their fingers or a plectrum—and others by hitting the strings with a light wooden hammer or by rubbing the strings with a bow. In some keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord, the musician presses a key that plucks the string. Other musical instruments generate sound by striking the string.

With bowed instruments, the player pulls a rosined horsehair bow across the strings, causing them to vibrate. With a hurdy-gurdy, the musician cranks a wheel whose rosined edge touches the strings.