matriculate

verb ma·tric·u·late \ mə-ˈtri-kyə-ˌlāt \

Definition of matriculate

matriculated; matriculating

transitive verb

:to enroll as a member of a body and especially of a college or university

intransitive verb

:to be enrolled at a college or university

She matriculated at the state university.

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matriculant

play \-lənt\ noun

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matriculation

play \-ˌtri-kyə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

See matriculate defined for English-language learners

See matriculate defined for kids

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Examples of matriculate in a Sentence

the college matriculated 1000 students for the fall semester

Recent Examples of matriculate from the Web

Universal/Everett Collection Grooming tips for the newly matriculated.

— adam hurly, GQ, "How to Be the Freshest Man on Campus," 28 Aug. 2017
Time Just as millions of first-year college students matriculate for the first time, millions of parents stand ready to transition into a new stage of parental support and guidance.

— peter dunn, USA TODAY, "Pete the Planner: On money matters for college kids — parents just don't," 19 Aug. 2017
Just as millions of first-year college students matriculate for the first time, millions of parents stand ready to transition into a new stage of parental support and guidance.

— peter dunn, Indianapolis Star, "Pete the Planner: Difficult college tuition conversations are crucial," 16 Aug. 2017
The next next generation (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar) Martin, Cronk, Brandon Knight et al were gap fillers for that group that has now matriculated.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Position primer: Offensive line stocked again for IU," 18 July 2017
The proposal would apply to incoming freshmen in the fall of 2018, while those who are currently enrolled and matriculating this fall would be exempt.

— CBS News, "Harvard committee proposes ban on fraternities and sororities," 12 July 2017
There are also drawings and paintings that Plath, who matriculated to Smith intending to be a studio art major, created throughout her life.

— julia felsenthal, Vogue, "The Lighter Side of Sylvia Plath," 30 June 2017
From there, select graduates have matriculated at US boarding/prep schools and then gone on to college.

— brian straus, SI.com, "It's not the World Cup, but USA vs. Ghana still has plenty riding on it in 2017," 30 June 2017
Stiene matriculated at Hillsdale College, a Division II school in Michigan.

— adam turer, Cincinnati.com, "Catching up: 2013 Ursuline softball champs make mark at next level," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'matriculate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Anybody who has had basic Latin knows that alma mater, a fancy term for the school you attended, comes from a phrase that means "fostering mother." If mater is "mother," then matriculate probably has something to do with a school nurturing you just like good old mom, right? Not exactly. If you go back far enough, matriculate is distantly related to the Latin mater, but its maternal associations were lost long ago. It is more closely related to Late Latin matricula, which means "public roll or register," and it has more to do with being enrolled than being mothered.

Origin and Etymology of matriculate

Medieval Latin matriculatus, past participle of matriculare, from Late Latin matricula public roll, diminutive of matric-, matrix list, from Latin, breeding female

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1577

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