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
The mindset was to perform at all costs, regardless of physical condition.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
What was your mindset going into creating this song?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
During a panel on whole-life wellness, longevity was discussed as more than just hacking exercise and nutrition habits; experts redefined it as adopting a health mindset to live a longer—and happier—life now and into the future.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
That’s not to say Felker-Martin isn’t empathetic towards people with that mindset; after all, Ellen is partly a shadow of her younger, more fearful self.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
This mindset spans generations, which Skintok’s favorite mother-daughter duo, Aylen and Sonia Park, highlighted on a recent live stream with TalkShopLive.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
That mindset is understandable.
—Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
His mindset had paid off, and such was their determination to see him in person that Quentin and casting director Vickie Thomas decided to work around the young actor’s theater commitments.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Yet that mindset may be a clue as to the marque’s success in the years since.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 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.
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
What was your mindset going into creating this song?
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 30 Oct. 2025
During a panel on whole-life wellness, longevity was discussed as more than just hacking exercise and nutrition habits; experts redefined it as adopting a health mindset to live a longer—and happier—life now and into the future.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2025
That’s not to say Felker-Martin isn’t empathetic towards people with that mindset; after all, Ellen is partly a shadow of her younger, more fearful self.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
This mindset spans generations, which Skintok’s favorite mother-daughter duo, Aylen and Sonia Park, highlighted on a recent live stream with TalkShopLive.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 29 Oct. 2025
That mindset is understandable.
—Anna Broughel, Forbes.com, 29 Oct. 2025
His mindset had paid off, and such was their determination to see him in person that Quentin and casting director Vickie Thomas decided to work around the young actor’s theater commitments.
—Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025
Yet that mindset may be a clue as to the marque’s success in the years since.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 1 Nov. 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