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

Hampshire College, alma mater of filmmaker Ken Burns, announced in April that it will close after the fall semester.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 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

He’s a Granada Hills High graduate and was a teacher and girls’ basketball coach at his alma mater “forever.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

He was returning now after an absence of thirteen years to his old alma mater, Pennsylvania College, in Gettysburg.

From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara