1
a
: a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation
guilt and punishment is the theme of the story
b
: a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern
the campaign has lacked a theme
2
: a melodic subject of a musical composition or movement
3
: a written exercise : composition
a research theme
4
Synonyms
Examples of theme in a Sentence
If one theme unites his scholarship it is that the Old South cannot be viewed as a monolith.
—
Eric Foner, New York Times Book Review, 8 Apr. 2007
One reiterated theme of his book is that the electoral process can be the most dangerous of delusions, tending to confer a spurious legitimacy on those most willing to corrupt it.
—Hilary Mantel, New York Review, 21 Sept. 2006
The Eve of biblical legend was a temptress, thus initiating a lamentable theme in the history of sexism.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover, July 1992
The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film.
A constant theme in his novels is religion.
The playwright skillfully brings together various themes.
The album focuses on themes of love and loss.
Adventures are popular themes in children's books.
The growing deficit was a dominant theme in the election.
The party had a Hawaiian luau theme.
They played the theme from the movie “Rocky.”
Eric Foner, New York Times Book Review, 8 Apr. 2007
One reiterated theme of his book is that the electoral process can be the most dangerous of delusions, tending to confer a spurious legitimacy on those most willing to corrupt it.
—Hilary Mantel, New York Review, 21 Sept. 2006
The Eve of biblical legend was a temptress, thus initiating a lamentable theme in the history of sexism.
—Stephen Jay Gould, Discover, July 1992
The quest for power is the underlying theme of the film.
A constant theme in his novels is religion.
The playwright skillfully brings together various themes.
The album focuses on themes of love and loss.
Adventures are popular themes in children's books.
The growing deficit was a dominant theme in the election.
The party had a Hawaiian luau theme.
They played the theme from the movie “Rocky.”
Recent Examples on the Web
Inside the theater, which was built in 1927 and has a gothic vibe of its own, Katya and Yang posted Instagram Stories of themselves with a black-and-white filter, continuing the 1922 theme.
—Lawrence Yee, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
The focal themes of her artwork are culture, folklore, mental health, education, unity, love and social justice.
—Bakr Muhammad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
For 2025, industry experts predict expansions on already-booming product and treatment themes within the skin-care space.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024
Pull out the surprising results to continue the theme.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theme 
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.
Lawrence Yee, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
The focal themes of her artwork are culture, folklore, mental health, education, unity, love and social justice.
—Bakr Muhammad, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
For 2025, industry experts predict expansions on already-booming product and treatment themes within the skin-care space.
—Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 12 Dec. 2024
Pull out the surprising results to continue the theme.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for theme
Dictionary Entries Near theme
Cite this Entry
“Theme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/theme. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
theme
noun1
a
: a subject for a work of literature, art, or music
guilt and punishment is the theme of the story
b
: a specific and distinctive quality, characteristic, or concern
the house was decorated in a country theme
2
: a written exercise : composition
thematic
adjective
thi-ˈmat-ik
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share