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

Umatilla coach Eric Samuels, in his fourth year at his alma mater, guided the Bulldogs to an 11-0 record last season before losing in the SSAA playoffs. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

What if these trustees and administrators honored the institution’s legacy by converting assets into funds that perpetuate scholarships and fellowships, make grants and preserve the heritage of the alma mater in other ways? — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Two former program legends became first-time head coaches at their alma maters. — Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Back-to-school is nearly upon us, and as Prince George prepares to enroll at Eton College, (the alma mater of both his father, Prince William, and his uncle, Prince Harry), take a look back at the test results for the British royal family. — Tatler, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 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