soundtrack

American  

[sound-trak] / ˈsaʊndˌtræk /

noun

soundtracks plural

1. the narrow band on one or both sides of a motion-picture film on which sound is recorded.

2. the sound recorded on a motion-picture film; audio portion of a film.

3. the music or dialogue from a film available on a commercial recording.

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soundtrack British  

/ ˈsaʊndˌtræk /

noun

1. the recorded sound accompaniment to a film Compare commentary

2. a narrow strip along the side of a spool of film, which carries the sound accompaniment

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verb

1. (tr) to provide a continuous accompaniment of sounds, esp music

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• soundtracks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of soundtrack

First recorded in 1925–30; sound ¹ + track

Explanation

The music that a movie is set to is its soundtrack. Some soundtracks are composed and recorded especially for a film, while others are made up of many songs by different musicians. TV shows and video games often have soundtracks too, although the concept started with films. During the silent film era, musicians would sometimes play live music to accompany a movie screening. The origin of the term soundtrack goes back to approximately the same time that the first "talkie," or film with sound (1929's "The Jazz Singer"), was screened for audiences. A recorded album featuring the music from a movie is also called a soundtrack.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

soundtrack soundtracks

The August Wilson play “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” made an impression, though it was not especially biographical, and the soundtrack for its film adaptation employed very little of the the music she actually performed.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

It was the soundtrack of the Cold War and the space race.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

When Salon suggested that they felt like a movie soundtrack, Price confirmed that they were written for a movie that never got made.

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

She also felt the show is "nothing if not committed to the time period" with the 90s soundtrack and references to era-specific things like Blockbuster and rich kids coming from "Microsoft money".

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Even the soundtrack chosen for this level is off-the-charts epic, full of orchestral strings and deep drums, sending my heart soaring.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

At least one Dave & Buster’s location within the past year has hired a string quartet to play live versions of iconic video game soundtracks.

From Slate ● Jun. 25, 2026

By funneling its characters into every monetizable outlet imaginable—merchandise, books and comics, soundtracks, park attractions, Broadway and ice shows, corporate partnerships—Disney amortized costs across the many flywheel revenue opportunities spanning decades.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

There is magic in a well-placed needle drop, and this season’s TV soundtracks include several standouts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

What was important was merchandising: toys, theme parks, soundtracks and franchises.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

Mom’s playlist would only have show tunes and movie soundtracks.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas