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

Alger loved grooming young people for business and often returned to his alma mater. — Sheryl Lee, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Maines lived frugally and generously left his estate to charity, funding a scholarship at his alma mater, SUNY at Canton, and supporting local journalism at The Asheville Watchdog. — Sally Kestin, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Glover has taken a leadership job at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University, while Wiseman's future plans weren't disclosed. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Glover has accepted a full-time administrative leadership position at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, helping shape the school’s long-term strategies. — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fostering mother

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alma mater

• imprimatur
• underwater
• auteur
• blotter
• cotter
• daughter
• hotter
• otter
• plotter
• rotter
• slaughter
• spotter

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