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
From the first shovel in the ground to the final drop of water, Brooke Woods and her family approached the project with a hands-on mindset.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
While that may have been a mindset that worked against the last investors into cybersecurity and enterprise software in mid-2025 when the negative sentiment started building, at least for now, it's started working for the stocks in the sector again.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Filimoeatu’s defensive scheme is similar to that of Odum, but with a different mindset.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Rockets ended the season on a high, but even shorthanded, the Lakers have a mindset that could be hard to budge in win-or-go-home environments.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Ellsworth’s mindset and intense preparation is echoed by other Shark Tank success stories.
—Katie Moore, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Maybe whatever is hurting you now may be a benefit later, but try to always keep that mindset.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 16 Apr. 2026
Four collections—Essentials, Grounded, Cocoon and Beauty Boost—capture this mindset for Fall/Winter 2027-2028.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
The Frisco native has the talent, mindset and supporting cast to finally break through in Fort Worth.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
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Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 19 Apr. 2026
While that may have been a mindset that worked against the last investors into cybersecurity and enterprise software in mid-2025 when the negative sentiment started building, at least for now, it's started working for the stocks in the sector again.
—Krysta Escobar, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2026
Filimoeatu’s defensive scheme is similar to that of Odum, but with a different mindset.
—Aaron Johnson, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Rockets ended the season on a high, but even shorthanded, the Lakers have a mindset that could be hard to budge in win-or-go-home environments.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Ellsworth’s mindset and intense preparation is echoed by other Shark Tank success stories.
—Katie Moore, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Maybe whatever is hurting you now may be a benefit later, but try to always keep that mindset.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 16 Apr. 2026
Four collections—Essentials, Grounded, Cocoon and Beauty Boost—capture this mindset for Fall/Winter 2027-2028.
—Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 16 Apr. 2026
The Frisco native has the talent, mindset and supporting cast to finally break through in Fort Worth.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mindset
noun
mind·set
variants
also mind-set
: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit
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