a type of American music, mostly composed but sometimes improvised, popular from about 1890 to 1920 and characterized by strong syncopation in even time: it was influential in the development of jazz
its syncopated rhythm
Origin:
prob. < ragged time, in reference to syncopation
See ragtime in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A style of jazz characterized by elaborately syncopated rhythm in the melody and a steadily accented accompaniment.