theme

noun \ ˈthēm \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

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

—

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

Each year, the images are selected in a photography competition (new photos, not vintage ones), and over the years, calendar themes have ranged from residential districts to all kinds of structures, including bungalows and landmark signs.

— joy wallace dickinson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando streetscapes take calendar spotlight," 6 May 2018
The theme left plenty of room for imagination, and model Grace Hartzel found her answer in a lace Brock Collection dress topped with dazzling Blue Nile jewels.

— maria ward, Vogue, "How Grace Hartzel Got Ready for Vogue’s Epic Pre-Met Gala Party," 6 May 2018
But most of it has to do with seeing how guests attack—or don't—a given year's theme.

— matt sebra, GQ, "The Most Memorable Met Gala Menswear Looks of All Time," 6 May 2018
Writer-director Tully (Septien, Ping Pong Summer) is interested in exploring several themes within the film’s surreal dream logic, but nothing is foregrounded more than good old-fashioned Catholic guilt.

— bryan bishop, The Verge, "Don’t Leave Home is a wonderfully atmospheric waking nightmare," 6 May 2018
The leader of influential Islamist party Ennahdha, Rached Ghannouchi, sounded a similar theme.

— Washington Post, "Tunisia holds 1st local election since 2011 Arab Spring," 6 May 2018
In the past, SJP has taken the theme and her attendance at the Met Gala very seriously.

— claire dodson, Teen Vogue, "5 Celebrities Who Had to Miss the Met Gala Over the Years," 5 May 2018
Johnson extends the theme into assertive wall reliefs composed from materials favored in his earlier work — ceramic tile, tar-black spray enamel, shea butter, black soap, broken glass, etc.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "Rashid Johnson at David Kordansky Gallery: Power, protection, plus 'Ugly Pots'," 5 May 2018
Crucial to the club's lasting popularity are its no-cover Wednesday nights and its ever-changing Saturday nights -- the current House of Wong theme draws the straight, the gay, and everything in between for a thoroughly Felliniesque milieu.

— rene rodriguez, miamiherald, "Think South Beach is crazy now? Here's what the club scene was like in 1994 | Miami Herald," 5 May 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