mind

1 of 2

noun

plural minds
1
: recollection, memory
keep that in mind
time out of mind
2
a
: 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.
b
: the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism
c
: the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism
3
: intention, desire
I changed my mind.
4
: the normal or healthy condition of the mental faculties
Who in their right mind would try such a stunt?
see also out of one's mind
5
: opinion, view
was urged to speak his mind
6
: disposition, mood
He's in a bad state of mind.
7
a
: a person or group embodying mental qualities
the public mind
b
: intellectual ability
the works of men of mindAlfred Tennyson
8
capitalized Christian Science : god sense 1b
9
: a conscious substratum or factor in the universe
10
: attention
pay him no mind

mind

2 of 2

verb

minded; minding; minds

transitive verb

1
chiefly dialectal : remind
2
chiefly dialectal : remember
3
: to attend to closely
4
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 itDennis Whitcomb
b
chiefly dialectal : intend, purpose
5
a
: to give heed to attentively in order to obey
b
: to follow the orders or instructions of
6
a
: to be concerned about
b
: dislike
I don't mind going
7
a
: to be careful : see
mind you finish it
b
: to be cautious about
mind the broken rung
8
: to give protective care to : tend

intransitive verb

1
: to be attentive or wary
2
: to become concerned : care
3
: 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
Whether or not candidates were backed by pro-charter groups or supported the growth of charter schools in IPS was not top of mind with some voters in Indianapolis. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024 David believes this is just her exhausted mind playing tricks, attributing it to postpartum depression, stress, and fatigue. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Nobody will mind if they get smacked in the head by a selfie stick, or buzzed by a drone. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 9 Nov. 2024 The wine was good, if a bit pricey at $23 a glass, and what food there was went quickly — but nobody seemed to mind much. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 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

Dictionary Entries Near mind

Cite this Entry

“Mind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mind

1 of 2 noun
1
: the state of remembering or of being remembered : memory, recollection
call to mind
2
: the part of a person that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons
3
: intention sense 1, desire
changed my mind
4
: the normal or healthy condition of the mental abilities
lose one's mind
5
: one's view or opinion about something : view
speak your mind

mind

2 of 2 verb
1
chiefly dialect : remember sense 1
2
: to pay attention to : heed
mind what you're doing
mind your own business
3
: obey sense 1a
mind one's parents
4
: to be bothered by
never mind your mistake
minds the cold
5
: to be careful about : watch out for
mind the broken glass
6
: to take charge of
minding the children

Medical Definition

mind

noun
1
: the element or complex of elements in an individual that feels, perceives, thinks, wills, and especially reasons
2
: the conscious mental events and capabilities in an organism
3
: the organized conscious and unconscious adaptive mental activity of an organism

More from Merriam-Webster on mind

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