# soundtrack

/ˈsaʊnˌtɹæk/ (US) · /sˈaʊndtɹæk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/soundtrack
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. music in a film

noun · CEFR B1

the music and sounds that play during a movie or video game.

For teachers: the entire audio component of a motion picture, television programme, or video game, particularly the musical score.

- The movie was okay, but the soundtrack was absolutely beautiful.
- The director worked closely with the composer to ensure the soundtrack reflected the haunting atmosphere of the coastal setting.

### 2. commercial album

noun · CEFR B1

a recording of the music from a movie that you can buy or stream.

For teachers: a commercially released recording of the musical tracks featured in a film or television series.

- I bought the soundtrack on vinyl because I loved the songs so much.
- The film's soundtrack topped the charts for several weeks, driven by the popularity of its lead single.

### 3. technical film strip

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the narrow part on a piece of film where the sound is kept.

For teachers: the narrow path or strip on one side of a cinematographic film that carries the recorded sound.

- Old film projectors read the soundtrack from a thin line next to the pictures.
- The restoration team had to carefully clean the optical soundtrack to remove the hiss and crackle from the 1930s master print.

### 4. to provide music for

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to provide the music or sound for a movie or an event.

For teachers: to provide or serve as the musical or auditory accompaniment to a film or sequence of events.

- The sounds of the city soundtracked their long walk home.
- The documentary is soundtracked by traditional folk music, which adds a layer of cultural authenticity to the visual narrative.

## Examples

- The movie has a beautiful piano soundtrack.
- The director worked closely with the composer to ensure the soundtrack matched the dark mood of the film.
- While the film's cinematography was widely panned, the orchestral soundtrack received critical acclaim for its ability to evoke deep emotional resonance in otherwise hollow scenes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.