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

Alameda starting pitcher Max Cohen kept Stargell’s alma mater in check, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out six. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

In the essay, Orwell portrays his alma mater as an environment that invaded every cranny of its pupils’ lives. —Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024

Wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Matt Miller will make $215,000 in his fifth season on staff at his alma mater. —Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 2024

During the fall, the couple brought oldest daughter Willa to join them at a football game at Akins' alma mater, the University of Tennessee. —Angela Andaloro, Peoplemag, 1 Apr. 2024

Michael Dell never did become a doctor, but his name is on his alma mater’s medical school, the university’s teaching hospital, and its pediatric research center. —Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024

Eagle was born in Miami only because his father was performing at the Eden Roc that night… Nantz attended tournament games as a fan last weekend, cheering on his alma mater Houston. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2024

Those three Minnesotans were the foundation of head coach Ben Johnson’s first major class at his alma mater. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2024

The two, set to return to their alma mater next month for a special recording of their podcast on April 11, are seemingly looking forward to a culinary perk of the trip as well. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 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