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

The village stands in the shadow of Harry's alma mater of Hogwarts or, as it's formally known, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

After one year in football operations at his alma mater, Stefanski got his opportunity with Childress. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Lincoln, the nation's first degree-granting historically Black college and university, is located in Chester County and is the alma mater of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. — Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Lindhome, who did only three but memorable guest appearances on Big Bang as Ramona Nowitzkis, an obsessive CalTech graduate student, plays a version of the same character who is now a receptionist from hell at her alma mater. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 30 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