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

Lauren is a high school Spanish teacher After graduating from Kirkwood High School in 2004, Lauren returned to her alma mater to teach Spanish. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 1 Sep. 2024

Dyson served as provost of his alma mater, Royal College of Art, from 2011 until 2017, succeeding Sir Terence Conran, and has been a great promoter of science and arts education. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 15 Aug. 2024

Jane returns to her college alma mater to solve a long-standingmystery. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2024

Harris has been preparing for her Sept. 10 ABC debate against Trump at Howard University, her alma mater. —Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Aug. 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