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

Renowned heart surgeon Oz has an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and earned a doctorate in medicine as well as a master’s in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, which is also Trump’s alma mater. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 20 Nov. 2024

Polo players often select their colors based on team affiliations or personal relevance (my red and white belt is an homage to my alma mater, McGill University), and color combinations can range from mild to wild. —Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2024

The vice president will address the nation at 4 p.m. ET at her alma mater, Howard University, the White House said. —Gabrielle Fonrouge,annika Kim Constantino,michele Luhn,ashley Capoot,julie Coleman,josephine Rozzelle,ece Yildirim,ruxandra Iordache,dan Mangan,kevin Breuninger,cj Haddad, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2024

Where Will Harris' Concession Speech Take Place? Kamala Harris' concession speech will be held at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington D.C. How To Watch Harris' Concession Speech today The concession speech is likely to be broadcast on all major networks. —Joshua Rhett Miller, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

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