From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishragtimerag‧time /ˈræɡtaɪm/ noun [uncountable] APMa type of music and dancing that has a strong beat and was popular in the US in the early part of the 20th century
Examples from the Corpus
ragtime• She sings ballads very well and she can do ragtime like no-one you've ever heard.• But he also deconstructs the melody, subjects it to counterpoint and inversion and renders it in ragtime rhythm.• Characters sing jaunty ragtime and barbershop melodies.• My teeth began playing ragtime, my knees a sort of counterpoint.• She had never sung ragtime on stage, she had always leaned against the piano and sung to Charlie.• Afternoons at Wellesley, they cranked the Victrola and gyrated to ragtime.• Vintage automobiles, horsedrawn street cars and traditional marching bands pass alongside quaint old stores and cafes where ragtime music is played.Origin ragtime (1800-1900) Probably from ragged + time 