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

Professional, commanding, and precise, Jones’s narration of the opening video brings his pride in his alma mater to life. —Lorena Chambers / Made By History, TIME, 26 Oct. 2024

Spotted Cow in hand, Yung Gravy marched hundreds of students from a club to the polls at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wednesday. —Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024

Apart from her storied political career, Martínez served as Mexico’s ambassador to the United Nations and as head of the economics department at the Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) — also the alma mater of Sheinbaum, who holds a PhD in climate science. —Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024

Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis believes his alma mater will be just fine despite their heartbreaking loss. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes, 4 Oct. 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