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
Who can forget that iconic theme song and the musical clues from the amazing a cappella group Rockapella (apologies if that theme song is now aggressively stuck in your head)?
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 30 Dec. 2025
In the revival, titled after the original series’ theme song, after shielding himself and his daughter from his family for over a decade, Malcolm is dragged back into their orbit when Hal and Lois demand his presence at their 40th anniversary party.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
The signature montage that began each episode — cutesy titling and theme song sung off key by Archie and Edith — was false advertising.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
This television Western was a lot more than just its iconic theme song.
—Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theme song
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Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 30 Dec. 2025
In the revival, titled after the original series’ theme song, after shielding himself and his daughter from his family for over a decade, Malcolm is dragged back into their orbit when Hal and Lois demand his presence at their 40th anniversary party.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2025
The signature montage that began each episode — cutesy titling and theme song sung off key by Archie and Edith — was false advertising.
—Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 29 Dec. 2025
This television Western was a lot more than just its iconic theme song.
—Keith Staskiewicz, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for theme song
Cite this Entry
“Theme song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme%20song. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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