mind

1 of 2

noun

ˈmīnd

plural minds

Synonyms of mind next

: recollection, memory

keep that in mind

time out of mind

: the element or complex (see complex entry 1 sense 1) of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons

Keep your mind active as you grow older.

: the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism

: the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism

: intention, desire

I changed my mind.

: the normal or healthy condition of the mental faculties

Who in their right mind would try such a stunt?

verb

minded; minding; minds

transitive verb

chiefly dialectal : remind

chiefly dialectal : remember

: to attend to closely

a(1)

: to become aware of : notice

(2)

: to regard with attention : consider important

—often used in the imperative with following you for emphasis

I'm not against inspiration, mind you; I simply refuse to sit and stare at a blank page waiting for it—

Dennis Whitcomb

chiefly dialectal : intend, purpose

: to give heed to attentively in order to obey

: to follow the orders or instructions of

: to be concerned about

: dislike

I don't mind going

: to be careful : see

mind you finish it

: to be cautious about

mind the broken rung

: to give protective care to : tend

intransitive verb

: to be attentive or wary

: to become concerned : care

: to pay obedient heed or attention

minder noun

Examples of mind in a Sentence

Noun He read great literature to develop his mind. It's important to keep your mind active as you grow older. He went for a walk to help clear his mind. the mysteries of the human mind My mind is always open to new ideas. You can't argue with him. His mind is closed. I can't concentrate: my mind is always wandering and I can't keep it focused on anything. The smell of pine sends my mind back to childhood. The sound of her voice jerked my mind back to the present. My mind tells me it can't work, but my heart tells me I want to try it. Verb It was raining, but I didn't mind. I don't mind very much what happens. “Why is he so angry?” “Oh, don't mind him. He's always complaining about something.”

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.

Noun

Instead of testing free agency, Cole then essentially changed his mind about opting out. —

Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024 Keep in mind that GenAI has the power to automate even the most complex use cases. —

Yuriy Gnatyuk, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Verb

For many in Korea, the deeply unpopular president’s attempt to use martial law in response to political opposition and fierce media scrutiny called to mind dark memories of South Korea’s brutal military dictatorships of the 1980s. —

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Dec. 2024 Bringing to mind a safari tent or similar, the Softshell is envisioned as a garden studio, guest accommodation, or a personal retreat, and features a timber frame. —

Adam Williams, New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mind

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Old English gemynd; akin to Old High German gimunt memory, Latin ment-, mens mind, monēre to remind, warn, Greek menos passion, resolve, mnasthai, mimnēskesthai to remember

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of mind was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing mind

Cite this Entry

Style

“Mind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind. Accessed 19 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

mind

1 of 2 noun

ˈmīnd

: the state of remembering or of being remembered : memory, recollection

call to mind

: the part of a person that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons

: intention sense 1, desire

changed my mind

: the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities

lose one's mind

: one's view or opinion about something : view

speak your mind

mind

2 of 2 verb

chiefly dialect : remember sense 1

: to pay attention to : heed

mind what you're doing

mind your own business

: obey sense 1a

mind one's parents

: to be bothered by

never mind your mistake

minds the cold

: to be careful about : watch out for

mind the broken glass

: to take charge of

minding the children

Medical Definition

mind

noun

ˈmīnd

: the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons

: the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism

: the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism

Last Updated: 9 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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mind

noun

verb

Synonyms

Examples of mind in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near mind

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition