Definition of: syncopation

(sing′kə·pā′shən) noun
1. The act of syncopating or state of being syncopated; also, that which is syncopated; a dance or rhythm in syncopated time.
2. Music The beginning of a tone on an unaccented beat and its continuation through the following accented beat, or the beginning of a tone on the last half of a beat and continuing it through the first half of the next beat; also, the tone so treated, generally receiving an accent.
3. Any music featuring syncopation, as ragtime, jazz, etc.
4. Syncope of a word, or an example of it.