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.
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

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 25 Oct. 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
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