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.
The movie Barbie plays on a giant projector screen while Dua Lipa’s dance-inducing theme song pumps through loudspeakers. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025 The opening credits revitalize the classic 1960s theme song with a modern sound that encapsulates the idea of the series blending classic elements like the Steve Ditko-esque animation style with newer sensibilities. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Jan. 2025 Though Giorgio Moroder’s pulsating score and Bowie’s indelible theme song likely amount to Cat People’s enduring legacy, the film is much more than the sum of its music. Vikram Murthi, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025 Viewers never get to hear the patient’s stories because the original theme song begins to play and the camera slowly backs away from the ambulance bay, signaling the end of the series. Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 20 Jan. 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

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 13 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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