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
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.”
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 on the Web
The book traces the theme that put this year's Met Gala on the map, and the history that precedes it, from a century old aesthetic to hip hop culture and beyond.
—Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Boy names for Pisces Finn: Go ahead, lean into the aquatic theme!
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025
The encore fading wasn’t quite as dramatic, with the Thunder pulling away late in their 120-109 win that puts them one win away from their first title, but the theme most certainly remained.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 17 June 2025
This is the season of AYA, which is this year’s theme.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for theme
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Nadja Sayej, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Boy names for Pisces Finn: Go ahead, lean into the aquatic theme!
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025
The encore fading wasn’t quite as dramatic, with the Thunder pulling away late in their 120-109 win that puts them one win away from their first title, but the theme most certainly remained.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 17 June 2025
This is the season of AYA, which is this year’s theme.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for theme
Cite this Entry
“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theme
noun1
a
: a subject for a work of literature, art, or music
guilt and punishment is the theme of the story
b
: a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern
the house was decorated in a country theme
2
: a written exercise : composition
thematic
adjective
thi-ˈmat-ik
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