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.
Maybe next year Televerse can get all the performers of TV’s greatest theme songs for a similar concert. Pete Hammond, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 During the concert in New York City, the star and co-creator of Ted Lasso hopped onstage and joined Marcus Mumford to sing the beloved show’s theme song. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026 Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple and Brendan Hunt walked onto the stage when the band played their theme song. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2026 Brandy Norwood has been revealed as the mystery vocalist on the new theme song for Netflix‘s A Different World reboot. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 11 Aug. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Theme song.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme%20song. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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