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 Notre Dame factor Q: How often has a major public corruption trial coincided with a national college football playoff where the alma mater of both the lead defendant and the judge advanced to the championship game? —Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025

During a party at his alma mater California Institute of the Arts, Reubens met a man named Guy. —Jack Smart, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025

Walton’s alma mater, UCLA, will commemorate Walton’s life before the Bruins’ Feb. 23 game against Ohio State. —Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

Former offensive tackle Jordan Gross is the head coach of his alma mater in Fruitland, Idaho. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fostering mother

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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