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

The 12th single by the nine-member boy band is being featured as the theme song for the new Stigmatized Properties: Possession horror movie starring Snow Man member Shota Watanabe, which hit domestic theaters last Friday (July 25). —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 4 Aug. 2025

Randy Orton And Jelly Roll Jelly Roll led New Jersey in singing the chorus of Randy Orton’s theme song. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025

With its eerily formless threat, catchy theme song, wholesome teen heroes, and ingeniously practical ooze effects (a dazzling mix of in-camera and optical printing), The Blob straddles atomic-era paranoia and gooey creature-feature fun. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 29 July 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for theme song

• evensong
• livelong
• overlong
• vietcong
• agung
• along
• belong
• birdsong
• furlong
• headlong
• headstrong
• lifelong