mindfulness
Americannoun
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the state or quality of being mindful or aware of something.
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Psychology.
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a technique in which one focuses one's full attention only on the present, experiencing thoughts, feelings, and sensations but not judging them.
The practice of mindfulness can reduce stress and physical pain.
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the mental state maintained by the use of this technique.
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noun
Etymology
Origin of mindfulness
First recorded in 1520–30; mindful ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
Explanation
Mindfulness is a state of focusing on what you're doing right now. Practicing mindfulness often leaves people feeling more relaxed and calm. Since the 16th century, mindfulness has been used to mean "attention." Around 1995, it became popular to describe certain meditative practices using the Sanskrit sati, which translates to mindfulness. Beyond simply paying attention, this kind of awareness is focused on being fully present in the moment. If you've been feeling distracted and stressed out, you should try a mindfulness exercise!
Vocabulary lists containing mindfulness
Louder than Hunger
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The Suffix -ness, Part 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mindfulness stood out as the only intervention to show large benefits at extended follow-up, although the evidence base remained limited.
From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026
Bhutan said Wednesday it will invest $1 billion from national cryptocurrency reserves to develop a "Mindfulness City", which it hopes will become an economic hub for the tiny Himalayan nation.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
Mindfulness can also help - it's not about using a meditation app or sitting in silence, it's about being intentional in how you approach your life.
From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025
Mindfulness can look like meditation or prayer depending on the person.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2025
Matt was bursting to tell him to dump the Five Principles of Good Citizenship and the Four Attitudes Leading to Right- Mindfulness and head over the fence to San Luis.
From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
