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

Before becoming a head coach, Leach served as an assistant at Edison, El Modena and Westminster, his alma mater. — Dan Albano, Oc Register, 17 July 2026

Lashlee has nothing negative to say about his alma mater or other jobs. — Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 July 2026

The 2013 graduate played defensive back for the Bobcats and has spent all five years of his coaching career at his alma mater. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 15 July 2026

When not working, Carson enjoys playing chess, traveling, and cheering on the men's and women's basketball teams at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut. — The Washington Examiner, 12 July 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