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

Griffin has been critical of leadership at elite universities, including his alma mater. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

One of Nelson’s mentors, Jim Ray, played in the NBA in the late 1950s and was the principal at Nelson’s alma mater, Bowsher High School. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Outlaw came from having success in Bloomfield to coach at his alma mater and inherited a team that graduated 26 seniors and won two games last year. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 28 Sep. 2026

Deborah attends her parents’ alma mater while reeling over being rejected by her dream school. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 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