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
Is the Trump administration cutting off foreign students at his own alma mater, The Wharton School, the business school that is part of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia?
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
During his first stint at West Virginia, his alma mater, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and led the Mountaineers to a top-five ranking in 2005.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
His alma mater, Miami Lakes Middle School, even named an award after him.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Emmy-winning actress and writer Quinta Brunson returned to her roots on Wednesday (May 28) for an emotional ceremony at her alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School, in West Philadelphia.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 29 May 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.
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 May 2025
During his first stint at West Virginia, his alma mater, Rodriguez won four Big East titles and led the Mountaineers to a top-five ranking in 2005.
—Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 30 May 2025
His alma mater, Miami Lakes Middle School, even named an award after him.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 30 May 2025
Emmy-winning actress and writer Quinta Brunson returned to her roots on Wednesday (May 28) for an emotional ceremony at her alma mater, Andrew Hamilton School, in West Philadelphia.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 29 May 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 8 Jun. 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