soundtrack

American  

[saund-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

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Etymology

Origin of soundtrack

First recorded in 1925–30; sound ¹ + track

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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

A soundtrack of 2000s hits added to the nostalgic vibe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

“You realize that you have so many years and you’re part of the soundtrack of their life.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

Have you ever noticed how the soundtrack manipulates your perception?

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

The air smelled perpetually of tortilla chips, and the soundtrack was an agreeable mixture of Matchbox Twenty and sizzling fajita platters.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

“It’s fine for the movie soundtrack, but I couldn’t dance to it.”

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper

My wife and I recently struggled trying to unload roughly 100 rock, pop, Broadway, soundtracks, classical, comedy and children’s albums that we don’t plan to bring to our new home.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

When I was 11, I would lock myself in my room and play the James Bond soundtracks with those lethal John Barry melodies and the larger-than-life voices of Shirley Bassey and Nancy Sinatra.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 21, 2026

Bennett separately sang on soundtracks for the movies Date Night and 21 Jump Street.

From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026

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

I didn’t submit a single entry to our improvised playlist, because I wasn’t old enough to have an iPod and I only listened to Disney soundtracks at the time, besides.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

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