mindset

noun

mind·​set ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 

variants or less commonly mind-set

plural mindsets also mind-sets

1

: a mental attitude or inclination

politicians trying to determine the mindset of voters

It isn't only the freshness of the fruit that makes breakfast in California restaurants outstanding. It's an attitude, a morning mindset, a desire to start the day in a leisurely, luxurious manner.

—Jane and Michael Stern

2

: a fixed state of mind

His mind-set does not allow for new situations.

The German military thought they were being honorable, and this wasn't an excuse—this was their complete mindset.

—William Vollman

Examples of mindset in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Slusser exemplifies the mindset on the left, those who pretend not to understand things, thus making discourse impossible. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

The goal should be a mindset shift where people pause, verify, report and build with security. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Following her divorce from Hardrict, Mowry said her mindset toward dating was negative. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Stubbornness and overconfidence extend beyond simple generational mindsets. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 1 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mindset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Medical Definition

mindset

noun

mind·​set

variants also mind-set

ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 

: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit