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

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

How does this anti-DEI mindset get to wipe out my entire career? —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

As the years pass, that mindset feels more grounded, more real. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025

However, once a paranoid hermit nation of Europe, after 1992 Albania began to emerge from its fortress mindset. —Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025

This mindset marks a departure from the past. —Mark Davis, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025

And the problem is that the test scores are not aligned with the skills and mindsets people need. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

This mindset has given rise to punk, grunge and indie sleaze trends. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 21 Oct. 2025

And that mindset now includes being a steady presence for her mom, even as the reality of her parents’ divorce is probably also really hard on her. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2025

My mindset was completely different this time around. —Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mindset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Medical Definition

mindset

noun

mind·​set

variants also mind-set

ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 

: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit