men·tal
ˈmen-tᵊl 
1
a
: of or relating to the mind
specifically
: of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality
mental health
b
: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity
mental acuity
c
: of, relating to, or being intellectual as contrasted with overt physical activity
made quick mental calculations
d
: occurring or experienced in the mind : inner
mental anguish
a mental breakdown
e
: relating to the mind, its activity, or its products as an object of study : ideological
mental science
f
: relating to spirit or idea as opposed to matter
… the distinction between physical things and mental ideas.—
John W. Yolton
John W. Yolton2
b
sometimes offensive
: intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders
mental hospitals
3
: of or relating to telepathic or mind-reading powers
mental telepathy
: of or relating to the chin : genial
Synonyms of mental
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Adjective (1)
Examples of mental in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
a funny mental image made him laugh out loud
humane treatment of mental patients
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
His experiences now aid him in helping leaders overcome their own mental barriers and achieve exceptional performance without overwhelm.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Athletes in these sports also experience high demands of constant competition, rigidity around their dieting and exercise schedule, high energy output and an incredibly high mental and physical strain on their bodies.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
Groft’s attorneys in November expressed doubt as to his mental competency, but a judge deemed Groft competent after an evaluation.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mental
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Adjective
Her lifelong commitment to advancing mental-health awareness through MindUP has created real, measurable change for children and families around the world.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
His experiences now aid him in helping leaders overcome their own mental barriers and achieve exceptional performance without overwhelm.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Athletes in these sports also experience high demands of constant competition, rigidity around their dieting and exercise schedule, high energy output and an incredibly high mental and physical strain on their bodies.
—Emily Hemendinger, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2026
Groft’s attorneys in November expressed doubt as to his mental competency, but a judge deemed Groft competent after an evaluation.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mental
Cite this Entry
“Mental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mental
1 of 2 adjective
men·tal
ˈment-ᵊl
1
a
: of or relating to the mind
specifically
: of or relating to the total emotional and intellectual response of an individual to external reality
b
: of or relating to intellectual as contrasted with emotional activity
2
a
often offensive
: of, relating to, or affected by a psychiatric disorder
a mental patient
b
sometimes offensive
: intended for the care or treatment of persons affected by psychiatric disorders
mental hospitals
mental
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to the chin : genial
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