Synchronization is the process of making two or more things happen at exactly the same time, or making them match up and work together in perfect coordination.

Think about watching a movie. The actors' lip movements need to stay synchronized with the sounds of their voices, or the film looks strange and confusing. When you and your friends jump rope together, you synchronize your jumping with the rope's rhythm. In a marching band, dozens of musicians synchronize their steps and their music so they move and sound like one unified group instead of a chaotic mess.

When figure skaters perform in pairs, they synchronize their spins and jumps. When you play a multiplayer video game online, your device synchronizes with the game server so everyone sees the same action at the same moment. Your phone might synchronize with your computer, making sure they both have the same photos, messages, and files.

Synchronization requires careful attention and practice. Olympic swimmers synchronize their movements in artistic swimming competitions, spending years learning to move as one. Even something as simple as clapping along to music requires you to synchronize your hands with the beat. When synchronization works well, separate parts combine into something graceful and powerful.