alma mater

noun

al·​ma ma·​ter ˌal-mə-ˈmä-tər 

1

: a school, college, or university which one has attended or from which one has graduated

went to a class reunion at his alma mater

2

: the song or hymn of a school, college, or university

"Hey, Harvard boy, sing your alma mater!" shouted an obnoxious producer.

—Phil Kloer

Examples of alma mater in a Sentence

I visited my old alma mater last week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Everything has its own rhythm—from the clink of beer bottles to the sound of cheerleaders rallying the crowd and marching bands playing your alma mater’s fight song. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2024

On the other side were funeral wreaths in cardinal and gold, to honor his beloved alma mater, USC, and a large photo of Alatorre with his arms crossed, a slight, confident smile on his face. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024

The Journal notes that he was involved in fundraising for his son's alma mater, Poughkeepsie Day School, and took part in the Young Playwrights Festival at Bardavon 1869 Opera House. —Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2024

While his alma mater Notre Dame had a rough weekend, Alt pitched a shutout against Crosby. —Jay Paris, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fostering mother

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alma mater

noun

al·​ma ma·​ter ˌal-mə-ˈmät-ər 

: a school, college, or university that one has attended

Etymology

Latin, literally "fostering mother," from almus "nourishing" (from alire "to nourish") and mater "mother" — related to alimentary, maternal