men·tal
ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of or relating to the mind
specifically
: of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality
mental health
b
: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity
mental acuity
c
: of, relating to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical activity
made quick mental calculations
d
: occurring or experienced in the mind : inner
mental anguish
a mental breakdown
e
: relating to the mind, its activity, or its products as an object of study : ideological
mental science
f
: relating to spirit or idea as opposed to matter
… the distinction between physical things and mental ideas—
John W. Yolton
John W. Yolton2
b
sometimes offensive
: intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders
mental hospitals
3
: of or relating to telepathic or mind-reading powers
mental telepathy
: of or relating to the chin : genial
Examples of mental in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a funny mental image made him laugh out loud
humane treatment of mental patients
Recent Examples on the Web
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2025
Without supervision or regulation, kids can easily stumble upon explicit material, including violent and extremist content, that can lead to mental distress, desensitization and a warped perception of the world around them.
—Richard Wistocki, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Search efforts have also taken a mental toll on rescue workers.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
This mental trickery accompanies the broader truth that most homeowners work hard for their properties and take pride in their neighborhoods and schools, all of which together represent status and asset value in the world.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mental
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Adjective
This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2025
Without supervision or regulation, kids can easily stumble upon explicit material, including violent and extremist content, that can lead to mental distress, desensitization and a warped perception of the world around them.
—Richard Wistocki, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
Search efforts have also taken a mental toll on rescue workers.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
This mental trickery accompanies the broader truth that most homeowners work hard for their properties and take pride in their neighborhoods and schools, all of which together represent status and asset value in the world.
—Jeff Hobbs, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mental
Cite this Entry
“Mental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mental
1 of 2 adjective
men·tal
ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of or relating to the mind
specifically
: of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality
b
: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity
2
a
often offensive
: of, relating to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder
a mental patient
b
sometimes offensive
: intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders
mental hospitals
mental
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the chin : genial
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