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
Phil KloerExamples of alma mater in a Sentence
I visited my old alma mater last week.
Recent Examples on the Web
And there’s a seamless comparison of Thomas and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, the Dolphins’ 2026 second-round pick, who shined at Texas Tech, Thomas’ alma mater, winning just about every collegiate award that could go to a defender.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
While his alma mater made quick work of UCF on Saturday, Blubaugh had to battle with Milwaukee’s professional team.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 June 2026
While her comments this week suggested her path to the Oval Office may be narrowing, Michigan GOP strategist Jason Cabel Roe noted that Whitmer has recently been floated as a potential future president of Michigan State University, her alma mater.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
The Dells have continued to ramp up their giving, announcing in April a $750 million commitment to Michael Dell's alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, for a new medical campus.
—Garrett Downs,hayley Cuccinello,jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 May 2026
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Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
While his alma mater made quick work of UCF on Saturday, Blubaugh had to battle with Milwaukee’s professional team.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 June 2026
While her comments this week suggested her path to the Oval Office may be narrowing, Michigan GOP strategist Jason Cabel Roe noted that Whitmer has recently been floated as a potential future president of Michigan State University, her alma mater.
—Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 31 May 2026
The Dells have continued to ramp up their giving, announcing in April a $750 million commitment to Michael Dell's alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, for a new medical campus.
—Garrett Downs,hayley Cuccinello,jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for alma mater
Cite this Entry
“Alma mater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alma%20mater. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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