mater

American  

[mey-ter] / ˈmeɪ tər /

noun

plural

maters, matres

1. British Informal. mother.

2. the backing holding the movable parts of an astrolabe.

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mater British  

/ ˈmeɪtə /

noun

1. slang:public_school a word for mother 1

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Etymology

Origin of mater

First recorded in 1585–95, mater is from the Latin word māter

Example Sentences

During a 2024 commencement address to his alma mater at the University of Pennsylvania engineering school, Ternus relayed a story about making the Cinema Display, the first Apple product he worked on a quarter-century ago.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

We have no heirs and plan to leave our assets to an endowed scholarship at my alma mater, plus a smaller gift to a local university program.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

To some donors, their love for their alma mater may outweigh any tax benefit.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Then they went onto the football field to learn some lessons at the fifth annual Trenton Irwin football camp on Sunday morning held at his alma mater, Hart High.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

She urges me to apply to colleges out of state—Smith College in Massachusetts, for one, her alma mater.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline