alma mater

American  

[ahl-muh mah-ter, al-, al-muh mey-ter] / ˈɑl mə ˈmɑ tər, ˈæl-, ˈæl mə ˈmeɪ tər /

noun

1. a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated.

2. the official anthem of a school, college, or university.

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alma mater British  

/ ˈmeɪtə, ˈælmə ˈmɑːtə /

noun

1. (often capitals) one's school, college, or university

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alma mater Cultural  

1. The school or university from which one graduated. The term also refers to a school's official song: “The reunion began with everyone singing the alma mater.” From Latin, meaning “nurturing mother.”

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alma mater Idioms  

1. Also, Alma Mater. The school or college one attended and, usually, graduated from, as in During football season I always check to see how my alma mater is doing. This expression sometimes refers to the institution's official song, as in I never did learn the words to my college's alma mater. The term is Latin for “kind mother.” [c. 1800]

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Usage

What does alma mater mean? An alma mater is the school, college, or university that someone has graduated from.It’s most commonly used to refer to a college or university, but it can also refer to a high school.The term is associated with pride in one’s school. It’s often used by those who network and keep in touch with other graduates and continue to identify as a graduate of the school after they have left.The term alma mater can also refer to the official song of a school, college, or university.Example: Since Jade graduated from Temple University, she has not stopped talking about her alma mater.

Etymology

Origin of alma mater

< Latin: nourishing (i.e., dear) mother

Example Sentences

Red Sanders departed Vanderbilt — his alma mater — to embark on a golden era of football at UCLA, guiding the Bruins to a 66-19-1 record and a share of the Bruins’ only national championship, in 1954.

From Los Angeles Times

Walking on the field and leaving as the head coach of his high school alma mater and Division 1 champions left him trying to figure what he was feeling.

From Los Angeles Times

His team is facing his alma mater, South Gate, for the Division I title on Saturday.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Costin, who called Liberty his “two-time alma mater,” said his “life and ministry have been profoundly shaped” by the 50-year-old school.

From Washington Times

After nearly seven years on the farm, and two moonlighting at his alma mater, Grubb accepted a graduate assistant position at South Dakota State in 2005.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• academy