Entry Word: theme

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) <this dance piece deals with the timeless themes of birth and death> — see matter 1
2 a short piece of writing done as a school exercise <please write a one page theme on the main character of this book> — see composition 2
3 a short piece of writing typically expressing a point of view <in her weekly themes on modern American life, the columnist tackles a wide range of issues, both trivial and serious> — see essay 1