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

In addition to working at her alma mater, Lauren has continued practicing law as a freelance attorney and has represented various producers, musicians and entertainment companies. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

The great debate is over—Prince George will officially attend Eton College, his father Prince William’s alma mater, come September. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 June 2026

Aaron Nkrumah, wing, 6-5, Tennessee State My favorite total out-of-nowhere guy, Nkrumah is one of only four American college players to make my top 75 despite not playing in a Power 5 conference, and unlike the others, his alma mater isn’t even a mid-major. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2026

He was accepted into a directing fellowship for the Village Roadshow Emerging Talent Program, which in 2019 partnered with his alma mater Loyola Marymount University and awarded him a $10,000 grant. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 19 June 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