mindset

noun

mind·​set ˈmīn(d)-ˌset How to pronounce mindset (audio)
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
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.
After just making the cut on the cutline, Charley Hull went out well before the leaders Saturday with the mindset to stop overthinking things and simply go out and play. Bob Buttitta, Daily News, 7 June 2026 Smoltz attributed his slower starts to a conservative mindset and stressed the importance of making birdie putts. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026 That mindset fits the broader pattern shaping family food trends for 2026. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026 This mindset isn’t universal, though. Emily Zak, Vogue, 4 June 2026 This mindset shapes his approach to leadership. Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 June 2026 Not because Leclerc is a bad driver, but because Ferrari hasn’t shown the mindset, the stability, and the operational strength to help either of its drivers fight for a championship. Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 June 2026 That mindset didn’t stay in the bathroom for long. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 It’s rooted in traditionalism and an us-versus-them mindset, in which people who look like me, and even certain Cardinals players, wonder if we’d be considered them. Candace Buckner, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mindset was in 1909

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Cite this Entry

“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

mindset

noun
mind·​set
variants also mind-set
: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit

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