mater

American  

[mey-ter] / ˈmeɪ tər /

noun

maters, plural matres plural

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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• matres
  plural
• maters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of mater

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

Example Sentences

Alumni now only have the illusion of choice in who guides their alma mater.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

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

So said Agatha Swanburne, according to a great many hand-stitched pillows at Penelope’s alma mater.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood