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
Among them is Marlborough College, the alma mater of Kate Middleton, whose co-educational environment would allow Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis to potentially attend alongside their older brother.
—Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
This spring, graduates are leaving their respective alma maters and entering a job market that is beleaguered with uncertainty.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
High school seniors who are former students at Bird Rock, Torrey Pines and La Jolla Elementary schools took a trip down memory lane the week of May 11, visiting their elementary alma maters to reminisce, greet students and take photos.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Meanwhile, on a much higher plane of achievement, a sibling trio of Morehouse and Spelman grads just donated $2 million to their alma maters.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for alma mater
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Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
This spring, graduates are leaving their respective alma maters and entering a job market that is beleaguered with uncertainty.
—Adam Harris, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026
High school seniors who are former students at Bird Rock, Torrey Pines and La Jolla Elementary schools took a trip down memory lane the week of May 11, visiting their elementary alma maters to reminisce, greet students and take photos.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2026
Meanwhile, on a much higher plane of achievement, a sibling trio of Morehouse and Spelman grads just donated $2 million to their alma maters.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 18 May 2026
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 29 May. 2026.
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
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