alma mater

[ahl-muh mah-ter, al-, al-muh mey-ter]

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.

alma mater

/ ˈmeɪtə, ˈælmə ˈmɑːtə /

noun

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

alma mater

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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of alma mater¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alma mater¹

C17: from Latin: bountiful mother

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

“Serving as the head coach at UCLA, my beloved alma mater, has been the honor of a lifetime,” Foster said in a statement.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Well, it is starting to appear that we are on the way to another in a series of mediocre football seasons at my alma mater UCLA.

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Cain, who left a dozen roses at his alma mater, worries that his hometown will be forever known as the place where Kirk was assassinated.

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Her family said Ms Hall was a first-generation college graduate who returned to her alma mater as a teacher where she was passionate about "creating inclusive spaces for children and adults with disabilities".

Read more on BBC

En route to her mother’s seaside alma mater, Avery encounters Charlie, a charming local in need of a fake girlfriend fast.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• academy 

When To Use

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.