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
Phil KloerExamples of alma mater in a Sentence
I visited my old alma mater last week.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the fact is this new film about 59-year-old construction boss Mike Flynt who went back to his alma mater Sul Ross State University in Texas to finish his senior year and try out for the college football team and make NCAA history is true.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
Speaking at the Levy Economics Institute at Bard College, her alma mater, McEntarfer recounted her experience learning she had been fired and warned of the potential economic consequences of her firing, according to multiple news reports.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
The University of Miami alum also has a scholarship offered to business students at her alma mater.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Foster, who had an exceptional career as a running back for the Bruins under Bob Toledo at the turn of the century, spent 10 of 11 years as an assistant at his alma mater, including seven as the running backs coach, before joining Antonio Pierce’s staff with the Las Vegas Raiders in February 2024.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alma mater
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.
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025
Speaking at the Levy Economics Institute at Bard College, her alma mater, McEntarfer recounted her experience learning she had been fired and warned of the potential economic consequences of her firing, according to multiple news reports.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
The University of Miami alum also has a scholarship offered to business students at her alma mater.
—Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Foster, who had an exceptional career as a running back for the Bruins under Bob Toledo at the turn of the century, spent 10 of 11 years as an assistant at his alma mater, including seven as the running backs coach, before joining Antonio Pierce’s staff with the Las Vegas Raiders in February 2024.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for alma mater
Cite this Entry
“Alma mater.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alma%20mater. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share