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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Imagine equipping your team with the tools to: • Master Their Mindset: Navigate stress, build resilience and cultivate a growth mindset for continuous improvement. Meridith Alexander, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Her viral TikTok performance and National Anthem appearance at the Crypto Arena show that, in an era of big productions and massive teams, a DIY mindset can still move mountains. Anto Dotcom, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 Leave a comment View Comments Maintaining an adaptive mindset is also an important way Svalbardians process the unique threat climate change poses to the region. Yahya Salem, CNN, 3 Nov. 2024 Have a long-term mindset and plan for a longer retirement Women, on average, live six years longer than men and, as a result, their dollars need to stretch further to cover a longer retirement. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 2 Nov. 2024 This inspires an expansive and adventurous mindset, specifically in areas of investment or financial collaboration. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024 Even our tax incentives, while well-meaning, reflect this small-thinking mindset. Alena Botros, Fortune Europe, 1 Nov. 2024 An anecdote that encapsulates this mindset occurred during a reality show competition focused on entrepreneurship. Benedetto Biondi, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 However, that is part of the mindset that has helped Johnnie Walker thrive over the last several decades. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mindset was in 1909

Dictionary Entries Near mindset

Cite this Entry

“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

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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