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.
Spurrier was 102-22 from 1990 to 1999 at his alma mater. — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 24 June 2026 Eton is the alma mater of both Prince William and Prince Harry and has its own jargon and extensive traditions. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 30 June 2026 Swift stepped into public wearing the ring for the first time, cheering at an Arrowhead Stadium game with Kelce's alma mater. — Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Marlowe Wax returned to his roots to hold a youth football camp at his alma mater Mount Saint Joseph. — Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026 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

Rhymes for alma mater

See All Rhymes for alma mater

Browse Nearby Words

almain rivets
alma mater
alman
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Cite this Entry

“Alma mater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alma%20mater. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

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