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
Jane and Michael Stern2
: 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
William VollmanExamples of mindset in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adopting a Zen mindset—understanding one's mental processes and responding clearly—can help individuals overcome these challenges.
—William Jones, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
This mindset—prioritizing size over substance—has become alarmingly common.
—Nirmal Chhabria, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s just a mindset and a directional focus that’s very streamlined.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Gabrielle, who plays Nora, said the trio’s perspectives on the death reflected their characters’ mindsets.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Walters, a senior vice president at AT&T, says shifting that mindset can help workplace leaders create more achievable benchmarks in the workplace for their employees, rather than fostering competition among colleagues.
—Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2025
Other Mumsnet users tried to describe the mindset of a cheater.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Support perseverance and passion for long-term goals: Support sustained effort and a growth mindset rather than grades or achievement for achievement's sake.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
In this moment, the key is to shift from a mindset of fear to one of strategy.
—Sam Dogen, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
William Jones, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
This mindset—prioritizing size over substance—has become alarmingly common.
—Nirmal Chhabria, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s just a mindset and a directional focus that’s very streamlined.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Gabrielle, who plays Nora, said the trio’s perspectives on the death reflected their characters’ mindsets.
—Abigail Lee, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025
Walters, a senior vice president at AT&T, says shifting that mindset can help workplace leaders create more achievable benchmarks in the workplace for their employees, rather than fostering competition among colleagues.
—Ryan Johnston, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2025
Other Mumsnet users tried to describe the mindset of a cheater.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Support perseverance and passion for long-term goals: Support sustained effort and a growth mindset rather than grades or achievement for achievement's sake.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 17 Apr. 2025
In this moment, the key is to shift from a mindset of fear to one of strategy.
—Sam Dogen, Contributor, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mindset
noun
mind·set
variants
also mind-set
: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share