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.
The two said the key to their success was a positive mindset. Christopher Kuhagen, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025 That mindset shift turns saving into a source of peace, rather than pressure. Jonathan Sanchez, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025 Life’s circumstances aren’t deciding for us how positive our mindset can be. Colin Bedell, Them., 10 Dec. 2025 Arnett understood O'Brien's mindset. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Dec. 2025 That's because wealth is not the only thing driving the mindsets of many of these highly successful individuals. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025 This mindset is reshaping creative industries. Robyn Duda, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2025 Putting off the never-ending list of responsibilities for a few hours wouldn’t result in disaster (most likely), but might actually be just what was needed to switch my mindset in the right direction. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025 The two said the key to their success was a positive mindset. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mindset was in 1909

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

mindset

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

More from Merriam-Webster on mindset

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!