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
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
The 75-bed center will provide treatment, counseling and other services designed to rehabilitate minor offenders whose mental problems are contributing to them repeatedly ending up in police custody.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Decades of evidence showing the critical role of social connection for both mental and physical health reinforce the point.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
The mental stimulation, not unlike jigsawing a puzzle or inking a crossword.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for mental
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Adjective
The agreement is an acknowledgement that the defense could prove by a preponderance of the evidence that severe mental disease or defect caused McGuire not to comprehend that his conduct in the killing was wrong.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
The 75-bed center will provide treatment, counseling and other services designed to rehabilitate minor offenders whose mental problems are contributing to them repeatedly ending up in police custody.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Decades of evidence showing the critical role of social connection for both mental and physical health reinforce the point.
—Jessica Dulong, CNN Money, 16 June 2026
The mental stimulation, not unlike jigsawing a puzzle or inking a crossword.
—Ashley Parker, The Atlantic, 15 June 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 17 Jun. 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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