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
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
oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates.
—María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023
Regular meditation, for example, is a tool that has been proven repeatedly by research to increase time spent in the present moment and limit the rumination that brings mental anguish.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023
Your work/life balance could leave a lot to be desired, and remaining so unbalanced won't be good for your mental state in the long run.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for mental 
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Adjective
Williamson said earlier this week that his hamstring is completely healed, but his mental state remains a work in progress.
—oregonlive, 13 Apr. 2023
Sign up That Torrance pushed Vial and Eduardo to such mental anguish does not surprise immigrant-justice advocates.
—María Inés Taracena, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2023
Regular meditation, for example, is a tool that has been proven repeatedly by research to increase time spent in the present moment and limit the rumination that brings mental anguish.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023
Your work/life balance could leave a lot to be desired, and remaining so unbalanced won't be good for your mental state in the long run.
—Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for mental
Dictionary Entries Near mental
Cite this Entry
“Mental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mental. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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