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
Afternoon tea is served daily from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. and takes on a seasonal theme.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
This summer, those fights reached another crescendo when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious parents can opt their public-school children out of reading books with LGBTQ+ themes.
—Rachel Wegner, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Rates have been a theme for institutions going back to about April 17.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Expert event planner and hostess, Brittney Winbush, encourages us not to shy away from a good theme.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for theme
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
This summer, those fights reached another crescendo when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious parents can opt their public-school children out of reading books with LGBTQ+ themes.
—Rachel Wegner, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Rates have been a theme for institutions going back to about April 17.
—Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 11 July 2025
Expert event planner and hostess, Brittney Winbush, encourages us not to shy away from a good theme.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 11 July 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 17 Jul. 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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