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.
In their early 20s, Page and Jones spent countless hours performing everything from Muzak to James Bond theme songs as London studio musicians, while teenage West Midlands buddies Plant and Bonham barnstormed around the countryside in a variety of bar bands. Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2025 Fans of Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa have used it as a theme song for their video compilations. Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2025 The track is being featured as the opening theme song for ZENSHU, an original TV anime series produced by MAPPA. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2025 The voice singing the lead vocals on the catchy theme song of The Jeffersons was Ja’net Dubois, who played Florida’s (Esther Rolle) best friend and neighbor Willona Woods on Good Times. Marc Berman, Forbes, 18 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 23 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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