Definition of theme
1a : a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation guilt and punishment is the theme of the storyb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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
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Challenges to retirement security in a world of aging populations and increasing longevity was a major theme of the report.
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Mr. Wang said Wanda had about $25.2 billion in cash, excluding revenue from its theme parks.
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From a New York Magazine writer: Once again, the White House's theme of the week got sidelined: A Democratic member of the House ribbed Trump’s Made in America week: Wearing this special hat for @WhiteHouse #MadeInAmerica week.
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This was a theme that tormented him: the taking of minds by media or machines.
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With haunting vocals and themes evocative of film noir, the mysterious music bears a divine creepiness.
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Inside is a jangling theme park of high-tech comfort and moisture-wicking synthetics.
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Three holdovers from Obama’s OSTP are leading teams focused on specific themes—Lloyd Whitman in technology, Chris Fall in national security, and Deerin Babb-Brott in environment and energy.
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Even the iconic Spider-Man theme is used, creating a familiar atmosphere to a brand-new film.
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
THEME Defined for English Language Learners
theme
playDefinition of theme for English Language Learners
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: the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.
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: a particular subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly
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: the particular subject or idea on which the style of something (such as a party or room) is based
THEME Defined for Kids
Learn More about theme
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See words that rhyme with theme Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theme Spanish Central: Translation of theme Nglish: Translation of theme for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theme for Arabic speakers
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