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.
Reframing boundaries as capacity management rather than a blank refusal indicates a strong self-awareness and company-forward mindset. Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 The menus took inspiration from Arizona's southwestern flair as well as the zero-waste mindset of the Waste Management Open, according to Lauren Bircher, Associate Director of Special Events at M Culinary Concepts. Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026 This mindset can apply to relationships, too. Jasna Hodžić, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026 This mindset may have developed as a response to more hands-off generations, but over time, a healthy degree of involvement in your child’s life—as opposed to a total disinterest in it—has quietly turned into over-involvement. Janelle Jones, Parents, 28 Jan. 2026 Mills and manufacturers are responding to this cautious consumer mindset with product development that offers something shoppers don’t already own. Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 28 Jan. 2026 Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla raved about the unselfish mindset Holiday brought to Boston’s locker room during his two seasons with the franchise. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026 This is our One Grocery mindset at scale. Annie Palmer, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 The same mindset runs across other demanding categories. Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 27 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 2026.

Medical Definition

mindset

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

More from Merriam-Webster on mindset

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