theme

noun \ ˈthēm \

|Updated on: 3 Jul 2018

Examples: theme in a Sentence

Definition of theme

1 a : a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation

guilt and punishment is the theme of the story

b : a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern

the campaign has lacked a theme

2 : a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement

3 : a written exercise : composition

a research theme

4 : stem 4

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themed

play \ˈthēmd\ adjective

See theme defined for English-language learners

See theme defined for kids

Examples of theme in a Sentence

If one theme unites his scholarship it is that the Old South cannot be viewed as a monolith. —Eric Foner, New York Times Book Review, 8 Apr. 2007
One reiterated theme of his book is that the electoral process can be the most dangerous of delusions, tending to confer a spurious legitimacy on those most willing to corrupt it. —Hilary Mantel, New York Review, 21 Sept. 2006
The Eve of biblical legend was a temptress, thus initiating a lamentable theme in the history of sexism. —Stephen Jay Gould, Discover, July 1992
The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film.
A constant theme in his novels is religion.
The playwright skillfully brings together various themes.
The album focuses on themes of love and loss.
Adventures are popular themes in children's books.
The growing deficit was a dominant theme in the election.
The party had a Hawaiian luau theme.
They played the theme from the movie “Rocky.”

Recent Examples of theme from the Web

The spouses celebrated their baby girl on the way at an extravagant shower Tuesday night in Atlanta, with a theme of Bardi Shower: A Bronx Fairytale.

— jen juneau, PEOPLE.com, "Bardi Baby Shower! Cardi B and Offset Celebrate Daughter on the Way at 'Bronx Fairytale' Bash," 28 June 2018
Grab your friends for a team of four, choose your favorite nonmotorized transportation, dress up with a theme and get ready to race.

— geoff bruce, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "From Lake Country to the North Shore, here are 26 fun ways to spend the middle of your summer," 26 June 2018
Keeping with the theme of empowering women in music, the night is a benefit for Los Angeles’ Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls.

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Best Things to Do This Week in L.A.," 25 June 2018
The grants for screenwriting, development and postproduction support narrative features with a social justice theme.

— pam grady, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area labor film festival shines a light on workers’ struggles," 20 June 2018
After manic episode, Lebowski Fest founder Will Russell embraces recovery The Marvelous Mystery will debut in August as the online version of WHY Louisville, a popular two-store chain that sold kitschy products with Kentucky and Louisville themes.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "Lebowski Fest founder launches mental health project, new retail shop," 20 June 2018
Later this summer, family cooking website Little Sous will launch its Kitchen Academy subscription box, with a different theme each month.

— matthew kronsberg, WSJ, "How to Keep Cooking-Obsessed Kids Busy This Summer," 19 June 2018
Rating: Not rated, with profanity and adult themes.

— randy cordova, azcentral, "In 'A Kid Like Jake,' Claire Danes and Jim Parsons struggle with son's gender identity," 14 June 2018
The narrative is richly poetic and smartly suspenseful, with themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and morality. 2.

— staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "10 best books of June: the Monitor's picks," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theme.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of theme

Middle English teme, theme, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin thema, from Greek, literally, something laid down, from tithenai to place — more at do

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

theme Synonyms

THEME Defined for English Language Learners

theme

noun

Definition of theme for English Language Learners

: the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.
: a particular subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly
: the particular subject or idea on which the style of something (such as a party or room) is based