–noun

1.	a subject of discourse, discussion, meditation, or composition; topic: The need for world peace was the theme of the meeting.

2.	a unifying or dominant idea, motif, etc., as in a work of art.

3.	a short, informal essay, esp. a school composition.

4.	Music. a. a principal melodic subject in a musical composition. b. a short melodic subject from which variations are developed.

5.	Grammar. the element common to all or most of the forms of an inflectional paradigm, often consisting of a root with certain formative elements or modifications. Compare stem1 (def. 16).

6.	Linguistics. topic (def. 4).

7.	Also, thema. an administrative division of the Byzantine Empire.

–adjective

8.	having a unifying theme: a theme restaurant decorated like a spaceship.

–verb (used with object)

9.	to provide with a theme.

–noun

1.	a container made of twigs, rushes, thin strips of wood, or other flexible material woven together.

2.	a container made of pieces of thin veneer, used for packing berries, vegetables, etc.

3.	the amount contained in a basket; a basketful: to pick a basket of apples.

4.	anything like a basket in shape or use: He never empties my wastepaper basket.

5.	any group of things or different things grouped as a unit; a package; package deal: You can't buy the single stock; you have to take the basket—all companies, stocks and bonds.

6.	the car or gondola suspended beneath a balloon, as for carrying dc5 passengers or scientific instruments into the atmosphere.

7.	Basketball. a. an open net suspended from a metal rim attached to the backboard and through which the ball must pass in order for a player to score points. b. a score, counting two for a field goal and one for a free throw.

8.	Also called snow ring. Skiing. a ring strapped to the base of a ski pole to limit penetration of the pole in the snow.

9.	Slang: Vulgar. the male genitals, esp. when outlined by a tight-fitting garment.