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 Palu’s ultimate goal is to become a professor and teach a Pacific Islander course at her alma mater. Sabrina Bodon, Sacramento Bee, 30 May 2024 Not in attendance at the garden party were the two youngest of the royal cousins, 20-year-old Lady Louise, who is studying at the Prince of Wales' alma mater the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and 16-year-old James, Earl of Wessex. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for alma mater 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alma mater.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 2 Jun. 2024.

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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