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

Favre also helped secure funds to build the volleyball court at the University of Southern Mississippi, his alma mater.

From The Wall Street Journal

Daniels was a newcomer to Chesney’s staff when he was hired before the 2024 season at James Madison, his alma mater.

From Los Angeles Times

He started his coaching career in 2017 as an offensive quality control coach at Texas A&M before coming back to his alma mater the next year.

From Los Angeles Times

And the coaching carousel is already in full swing, with one assistant already gone and Zach garnering outside interest, namely from his alma mater, Kansas State.

From Los Angeles Times

Lynn plans to leave USC for his alma mater, Penn State, after the Alamo Bowl — leaving the Trojans once again without a clear direction for their defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• academy