syncopation — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The contraction of a word by means of loss or omission of sounds or syllables in the middle thereof.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

2. The quality of a rhythm being somehow unexpected, in that it deviates from the strict succession of regularly spaced strong and weak beats in a meter.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

Noun

1. (phonology) the loss of sounds from within a word (as in ‘fo'c'sle’ for ‘forecastle’)

   Synonyms

   syncope

   Broader terms

   articulation

2. a musical rhythm accenting a normally weak beat

   Broader terms

   rhythmbeatmusical rhythm

3. music (especially dance music) that has a syncopated rhythm

   Broader terms

   music