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
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
Albert GuerardExamples of theme song in a Sentence
He was playing the theme song from “The Godfather.”
Recent Examples on the Web
The theme song for the latest Case Closed movie (Detective Conan: The Million-dollar Pentagram) dropped digitally on April 12 — the same day the anime movie hit domestic theaters — prior to the CD version’s release set for May 8.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
One student serenaded the cast with her own version of the theme song.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
At one point, the dancers skate to the theme song of Succession.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The musical watch, when activated, plays the theme song to the movie.
—Roberta Naas, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Youssef agrees to participate — and even comes up with a theme song for the show.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 31 Mar. 2024
In the Dallas corridor, the show’s theme song blares over speakers and people pose with the oil painting of Jock Ewing, one of the few photo ops that’s free.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Although later Godzilla movies would rehash its ecological ideas, the film stands out for its colorful animation, psychedelic theme song (complete with a surreal nightclub sequence where patrons’ heads turn into fish), and a monster that’s among the cruelest and most destructive in the canon.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke kicked off the episode by covering the Gilligan’s Island theme song in character.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Apr. 2024
One student serenaded the cast with her own version of the theme song.
—Leigh-Ann Jackson, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024
At one point, the dancers skate to the theme song of Succession.
—Gary Shteyngart, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
The musical watch, when activated, plays the theme song to the movie.
—Roberta Naas, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Youssef agrees to participate — and even comes up with a theme song for the show.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 31 Mar. 2024
In the Dallas corridor, the show’s theme song blares over speakers and people pose with the oil painting of Jock Ewing, one of the few photo ops that’s free.
—Michael Callahan, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Mar. 2024
Although later Godzilla movies would rehash its ecological ideas, the film stands out for its colorful animation, psychedelic theme song (complete with a surreal nightclub sequence where patrons’ heads turn into fish), and a monster that’s among the cruelest and most destructive in the canon.
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2024
Judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Rita Ora and Robin Thicke kicked off the episode by covering the Gilligan’s Island theme song in character.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'theme song.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near theme song
Cite this Entry
“Theme song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme%20song. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.
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