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

Jason Miller is leaving Bellflower High to become football coach at his alma mater, Leuzinger. . . —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Because Trump and three of his older children, Don Jr., Ivanka and Tiffany graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, the Daily Beast suggested that there could still be a last-minute change and Barron could end up at their alma mater. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024

The Kelce brothers took their podcast to their alma mater this week and the live show ended with a surprise — a long-overdue college graduation ceremony at the University of Cincinnati. —Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 13 Apr. 2024

His death was announced on Friday by Northern Illinois University, his alma mater, and the Yankees. —Bruce Weber, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Fun fact: the high school is also the alma mater of another famous UNC alumnus, soccer star Mia Hamm. —Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024

Alameda starting pitcher Max Cohen kept Stargell’s alma mater in check, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out six. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

In the essay, Orwell portrays his alma mater as an environment that invaded every cranny of its pupils’ lives. —Stephen Metcalf, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024

Wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Matt Miller will make $215,000 in his fifth season on staff at his alma mater. —Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 2 Apr. 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