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

This gift represents the single largest donation by the Huangs to an educational institution, exceeding the $50 million given to his alma mater, Oregon State. — News Desk, Artforum, 23 July 2026

However, Cal Poly was neither his nor Kathy Newlands’ alma mater, and their son would be swimming for the Mustangs for at most one more year. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 July 2026

During interviews with The Times in 2023 and 2024, Kennedy expressed a deep love and affection for his alma mater. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

George, who turns 13 on July 22, 2026, is set to attend William’s alma mater, Eton, in the fall. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 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