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
Synonyms
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.”
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 on the Web
This way of hunting is so popular that entire events are hosted around the theme.
—Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Murakami masterfully blends genres and themes in this dark sci-fi coming-of-age story.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Don't Commit to a Theme Christmas decor themes and color schemes are often looked at as a strict set of rules for decorating the entire house.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Over the past two years, as artificial intelligence has become a dominant theme in boardrooms, Nvidia has emerged as one of the world’s largest companies.
—Nick Wells, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theme 
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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about these examples.
Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Murakami masterfully blends genres and themes in this dark sci-fi coming-of-age story.
—Theara Coleman, theweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Don't Commit to a Theme Christmas decor themes and color schemes are often looked at as a strict set of rules for decorating the entire house.
—Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2024
Over the past two years, as artificial intelligence has become a dominant theme in boardrooms, Nvidia has emerged as one of the world’s largest companies.
—Nick Wells, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theme
Dictionary Entries Near theme
Cite this Entry
“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theme
noun1
a
: a subject for a work of literature, art, or music
guilt and punishment is the theme of the story
b
: a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern
the house was decorated in a country theme
2
: a written exercise : composition
thematic
adjective
thi-ˈmat-ik
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