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.
Yet, a silent saboteur runs through the careers of many professionals in this space: the scarcity mindset. Sonia Esther Soltani, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 One of the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs is breaking out of the structured schooling mindset—and realizing that a startup is an open book. Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025 Vector fosters an ownership mindset, where each team member is accountable for their own AOR. Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025 Not that his mindset made the viewing experience any easier. Brendan Marks, New York Times, 9 July 2025 Much of the show’s fourth season has had to be rewritten post-Oct 7, as the state of Iran’s security forces along with Israel’s internal mindset has changed and then changed again. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 Their holistic mindset extends beyond the brain and spine itself. William Jones, USA Today, 8 July 2025 To succeed, leaders must cut through the noise, build around clear business outcomes, and adopt an enterprise-first mindset. Sol Rashidi, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 To slip into that mindset, take swim pieces out for a spin on dry land. Ari Stark, Footwear News, 27 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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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