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 Fans won’t be surprised to learn that McEntire will also be performing the new sitcom's theme song. Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 9 May 2024 The group’s final activity was to create a theme song for the L.A. tourist board. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2024 Watch the opening credits and hear the theme song exclusively via Billboard below. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 8 May 2024 Get ready for another classic TV theme song from Reba McEntire. Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024 The theme song for the latest Case Closed movie (Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram) dropped digitally on April 12 — the same day the anime movie hit domestic theaters — prior to the CD version’s release set for May 8. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024 One student serenaded the cast with her own version of the theme song. Leigh-Ann Jackson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024 At one point, the dancers skate to the theme song of Succession. Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024 The musical watch, when activated, plays the theme song to the movie. Roberta Naas, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theme song.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of theme song was in 1908

Dictionary Entries Near theme song

Cite this Entry

“Theme song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme%20song. Accessed 15 May. 2024.

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