theme song

American  

noun

theme songs plural

1. a melody in an operetta or musical comedy so emphasized by repetition as to dominate the presentation.

2. a melody identifying or identified with a radio or television program, dance band, etc., usually played at the beginning of each program.

3. an expression, comment, or subject of conversation that a person or group uses habitually.

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theme song British  

noun

1. a melody used, esp in a film score, to set a mood, introduce a character, etc

2. another term for signature tune

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• theme songs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of theme song

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

However, there were two performances that stole the show: Rachel Zegler’s “Evita”-inspired rendition of Addison Rae’s “Fame Is a Gun” and Yang and Rogers’ performance of the Pokémon theme song.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

But it also endeavored to sound different from previous fantasy media, replacing twee flutes with composer Ramin Djawadi’s deep strings, rhythmic drumming and a theme song that sought to inspire its audience to battle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026

At the same tournament, Pavarotti's 1972 recording was used as the theme song for the BBC's coverage.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

We learn that Bacharach composed more than 1,000 pieces of music, including such oddities as the theme song for the cult classic 1958 Steve McQueen thriller “The Blob.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

She sat down at her piano and began to play “Moon River,” and then she switched to the theme song from one of those new vampire movies.

From "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper