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

But after Smith was fired at the end of the season, Schaub moved into broadcasting and served as a radio analyst for the University of Virginia, his alma mater. —Sam Warren, Houston Chronicle, 13 Feb. 2026

Macdonald was also a standout baseball player for the Knights, and that all-around athleticism, paired with his leadership qualities, has left a lasting impression at his alma mater. —Sam Crenshaw, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026

Ty Outlaw, who coached Bloomfield football to four state titles and seven state championship game appearances in 15 years, is leaving to coach at his alma mater, East Hartford High. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026

This carries over a similar effort to his alma mater. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fostering mother

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alma mater

• annunciator
• imprimatur
• underwater
• backwater
• bathwater
• blackwater
• breakwater
• deepwater
• edgewater
• feedwater
• floodwater
• freshwater

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