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

That mindset continues at Homies, where new models generally grow out of an existing design rather than beginning with a blank page. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

All are geared toward shifting club mindsets away from the short-term. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

That mindset shift alone was worth more than any check any investor ever wrote me. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Changing adult mindsets is also key, said Kristina Yamada, the state Board of Education’s digital technology specialist. — Jocelyn Gecker, Fortune, 21 Aug. 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