ragtime

noun

rag·​time ˈrag-ˌtīm 

1

: rhythm characterized by strong syncopation in the melody with a regularly accented accompaniment in stride-piano style

2

: music having ragtime rhythm

Examples of ragtime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The quartet can perform a range of music from ragtime to the sounds of a saxophone in the Glenn Miller Orchestra. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2023

This free two-day event Saturday and Sunday features eight local bands that play the swing, ragtime, hot jazz, stride, New Orleans, and other early jazz styles that fall under the umbrella of traditional jazz. —Noah Schaffer, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023

And in the score, Joplin pushed himself past ragtime into music that lilts, soars and swings with tenderness and vivacity, somewhat in the grand operetta style of Gilbert and Sullivan (if without the patter). —Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, 27 July 2023

His grave in New York City remained unmarked until the ragtime revival of the 1970s. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2023

Strom became a fan of Curtiss as a young San Diego Folk Festival attendee, where — like Tempchin — he was mesmerized by the great bluegrass, country, folk, blues, ragtime, zydeco and Cajun artists that were featured. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2023

Ensemble performances will showcase a diverse assembly of music from American history, including choral singing, ragtime and jazz. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2023

Celebrating Juneteenth: The Music of Black Composers: The Orchestra of New Spain performs classical music, ragtime and other songs by Black composers. —Norma Cavazos, Dallas News, 12 June 2023

From its beginnings in blues and ragtime, American popular music has blended influences and genres. —Joan Gaylord, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Jan. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

probably from ragged + time

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ragtime

noun

rag·​time ˈrag-ˌtīm 

1

: music played with a strong march-style rhythm and a lively melody with accented notes falling on beats that are not usually accented

2

: music having ragtime rhythm