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⇱ MIND Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Definition
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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.
has an open/closed mind
What was going/running through your mind when you agreed to this? [=what were you thinking?]
There's no doubt in my mind about his guilt. [=I am sure that he is guilty]
The trip was the last thing on her mind.
Leaving was the furthest thing from my mind.
His name escaped/slipped my mind. [=I couldn't remember his name]
"Do you remember his name?" "Nothing comes/springs/leaps to mind."
Sorry, I just said the first thing that came to/into my mind.
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.
I have half a mind to tell them to shut up!
I have a good mind to tell her what I really think of her.
I have something special in mind for you.
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
We are of like/one mind on this. [=we agree]
She is of the same mind as me [=she agrees with me]
In/to my mind, that's wrong.
6
: disposition, mood
He's in a bad state of mind.
needs some peace of mind [=a feeling of being safe and protected]
Is there something on your mind? [=is something troubling/worrying you?]
I wish I could set/put your mind at ease/rest [=could make you stop worrying]
see also frame of mind, presence of mind
7
a
: a person or group embodying mental qualities
the public mind
appealed to the hearts and minds of the people
b(1)
: intellectual ability
has a brilliant mind
… the works of men of mind β€¦β€”πŸ‘ Image
Alfred Tennyson
(2)
: a very intelligent or learned person
the world's greatest scientific minds
c
: the way a person thinks
has an inquisitive/twisted mind
8
: attention
pay him no mind
Try to relax and take/get/keep your mind off the problem.
9
philosophy : a conscious substratum or factor in the universe
see also:

mind

2 of 2

verb

minded; minding; minds

transitive verb

1
a
: to care or worry about
They don't seem to mind where they sit.
Don't mind me; I'll be fine.
b
β€”used to make a polite request
Would you mind me/my sitting here?
c
β€”used with if in situations that might upset someone
How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?
d
β€”used with if to express anger or annoyance
Hey, I was sitting there, if you don't mind!
2
: dislike
I don't mind going.
3
a
: to be careful : see
need to mind your language/manners
b
: to be cautious about
mind the icy stairs
4
: to give protective care to : tend
mind the children
Can you mind the office while I'm out?
5
a
: to give heed to attentively in order to obey
Mind the instructions that were sent out.
b
: to follow the orders or instructions of
should mind your parents
6
chiefly dialectal : remind
7
chiefly dialectal : remember
8
: to attend to closely
mind your own business
sits at her desk and minds her work
9
a(1)
: to become aware of : notice
I'll fall flat. Perchance he will not mind me.β€”πŸ‘ Image
William Shakespeare
(2)
: to regard with attention : consider important β€”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.β€”πŸ‘ Image
Dennis Whitcomb
b
chiefly dialectal : intend, purpose

intransitive verb

1
: to be attentive or wary
2
: to become concerned : care
Our flight was delayed, not that I minded.
see also never mind
3
: to pay obedient heed or attention
The dog minds well.
minder noun

Synonyms of mind

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. β€œWhy is he so angry?” β€œOh, 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
Keep in mind that power lines that are laying on the ground may be live. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Apr. 2026 So drafting a receiver is on the mind of Canales, at least. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Alex Zietlow april 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
None of the umps mind when ABS corrects their egregious misses. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026 In at least one sense, Lake Central baseball coach Mike Swartzentruber wouldn’t mind some overlap. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 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, monΔ“re to remind, warn, Greek menos passion, resolve, mnasthai, mimnΔ“skesthai 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 6

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

Phrases Containing mind

Rhymes for mind

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œMind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

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

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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