In the article there was made an attempt to specify the meaning of the word "mentality" , which is used widely enough in Russia of late both in the scientific researches and in everyday language. For all that the given concept still doesn't have stable and definite meaning. A short etymological review brought no significant results that lead to a conclusion that the outlined task can be solved if we pay attention to the use of the term "mentality" in the scientific research works made in France in the 20th century. The most interesting interpretations of the term "mentality" were made by the representatives of "Annal" school, who, since 1960s, attach great importance to the study of the mental sphere.