theme song

noun

plural theme songs

1

: a song or melody strongly associated with someone or something

a famous performer's theme song

the theme song of a political campaign

often : an identifying melody or song typically played at the beginning of a movie, television show, etc., and sometimes recurring during its course

Some of these shows were truly unforgettable, with catchy theme songs that are instantly recognizable decades later.

—Grant Butler

2

: a statement, expression, or opinion repeatedly heard from someone

But literary history is also entangled with criticism. Inevitably so; let me revert unblushingly to my theme song: in order to appreciate a masterpiece, we must be acquainted with its language …

—Albert Guerard

Examples of theme song in a Sentence

He was playing the theme song from “The Godfather.”

Recent Examples on the Web

Coulier, 64, captioned the photo, also evoking lyrics of the Full House theme song. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 7 June 2024

That’s little relief for neighbors, who have long dealt with tourists and fans posing in front of the home and sometimes blasting the sitcom’s theme song. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

Regardless, Del Rey may still have another chance at writing a Bond theme song in the future, as it's been rumored that Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be taking over the role as 007 following Daniel Craig's departure from the series in 2021. —EW.com, 24 May 2024

Bob Bakish stepped down from his role as the CEO of Paramount Global on Monday, April 29, to… the Mission: Impossible theme song? —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1