theme song

noun

plural theme songs
1
: a song or melody strongly associated with someone or something
a famous performer's theme song
the theme song of a political campaign
often : an identifying melody or song typically played at the beginning of a movie, television show, etc., and sometimes recurring during its course
Some of these shows were truly unforgettable, with catchy theme songs that are instantly recognizable decades later. Grant Butler
2
: a statement, expression, or opinion repeatedly heard from someone
But literary history is also entangled with criticism. Inevitably so; let me revert unblushingly to my theme song: in order to appreciate a masterpiece, we must be acquainted with its language …Albert Guerard

Examples of theme song in a Sentence

He was playing the theme song from “The Godfather.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Streams for the Tokyo Disney Resort summer event theme song is up to 132% from last week and video views to 222%. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2025 In keeping with a longstanding practice, Paramount serenaded its earnings auditors with a loop of the NFL on CBS theme song before the call kicked off at 4:30 p.m. ET. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025 But it's also resulted in the horn player getting the same kind of world-class work: In 1980, for example, Mangione was invited to compose a theme song for that year's Winter Olympics. Michael J. West The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 26 July 2025 The premiere episode withholds the guitar-and-cowbell theme song until the very end. Alison Herman, Variety, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for theme song

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of theme song was in 1908

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Cite this Entry

“Theme song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme%20song. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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