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

The two have since raised four daughters, all of whom have either graduated or are currently attending their parents' alma mater. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Proudfoot believes his alma mater is losing a dedicated coach. — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

The Maryland native and commander of the Artemis II mission is back in the Baltimore area to take part in his alma mater's homecoming festivities. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

In recent conversations with The Athletic, two coaches with deep affection for their alma mater described having the Camp Randall rug yanked from underneath them. — Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 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