1. rhythmic patterns in music where emphasis is placed on normally unaccented beats or between beats
Usage: music
2. the shortening of words by omitting sounds or letters from the middle
Usage: linguistics

Examples

• The jazz pianist’s syncopations gave the song its distinctive swing feel.
• Ragtime music is famous for its complex syncopations and off-beat accents.
• The drummer added unexpected syncopations to keep the rhythm interesting.
• Students struggled to clap along with the syncopations in the piece.
• The word ‘fo’c’sle’ shows syncopations of ‘forecastle’ in nautical terminology.
• Many contractions like ‘don’t’ are examples of syncopations in everyday speech.