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.
Hartford Courant *The CT Sun’s Jacy Sheldon, in the offseason, is director of player development for women’s basketball at her alma mater, Ohio State. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 While recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, Jones returned to her alma mater to serve coach Brenda Frese as the director of player personnel for the 2023-24 season — Sellers’ junior year — while her own jersey hung in the rafters above. Katherine Fominykh, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 2025 As part of a celebration set to take place on Wednesday, May 28, Brunson wil receive the key to the city from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker just as the star also helps dedicate an original mural at her elementary alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School. Michael Schneider, Variety, 6 May 2025 Delivering the speech at his grandfather’s alma mater made the moment even more personal. Melissa Noel, Essence, 5 May 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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