alma mater

noun

al·​ma ma·​ter ˌal-mə-ˈmä-tər How to pronounce alma mater (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advertisement Basketball and being a Bulldog are in the blood for Lewis, whose mom Melissa played at Buena and now works in the College and Career Center at her alma mater, getting to watch her daughter carry on the program’s winning tradition. Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025 The former Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro began his coaching career at his alma mater, Ohio State, from 2011 under Luke Fickell through 2013 under Urban Meyer. Oliver Thomas, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025 Stanford recently hired former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck to serve as his alma mater’s general manager, with responsibilities in roster management and business operations. Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 3 Jan. 2025 Caitlin Clark is having her legacy enshrined at her alma mater. Charna Flam, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for alma mater 

Word History

Etymology

Latin, fostering mother

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alma mater was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near alma mater

Cite this Entry

“Alma mater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alma%20mater. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

alma mater

noun
al·​ma ma·​ter ˌal-mə-ˈmät-ər How to pronounce alma mater (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on alma mater

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