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

“It’s been a tough time for our family. I’m thankful for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater.”

From Los Angeles Times

“A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results,” Harris told a crowd at her alma mater, Howard University.

From Salon

“My heart is full today, full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” Harris told supporters at Howard University, her alma mater.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C.,

From Salon

The same was true for Harris, with the event resembling a dance party on the campus of the Democrat’s alma mater.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• academy

More About Alma Mater

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.

Where does alma mater come from?

The first records of the term alma mater come from the 1600s. The phrase is Latin and translates as “nourishing mother” (alma can also be interpreted as “dear,” “kind,” or “bountiful”). The English word mother is derived from mater.

What does a nourishing mother have to do with the school you graduated from?

The term Alma Mater was originally used in Ancient Rome as a way of referring to certain goddesses associated with nourishment, including Ceres and Cybele (Cybele was sometimes also referred to as Magna Mater, meaning “great mother”). Later, the term alma mater was applied to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Eventually, it was applied to schools and universities, presumably in reference to their role as places of intellectual nourishment. Relatedly, the word alumnus, referring to a graduate of a specific school, comes from the Latin word alere, meaning “to nourish.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for alma mater?

• school song
• school anthem

What are some words that share a root or word element with alma mater? 

 

• Magna Mater
• Terra Mater
• mother
• maternal
• maternity
• matriarch
• matron

What are some words that often get used in discussing alma mater?

 

• university
• college
• school
• high school
• graduate
• alumnus
• song
• anthem

How is alma mater used in real life?

The term alma mater is typically used in reference to colleges and universities. It’s often associated with pride in the school where one graduated.

My alma mater is BEAUTIFUL 😍 https://t.co/cv3CHuBP9X

— brooklyn kay 🌺 (@b_kayyh) September 22, 2020

ATHENS – University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart and his wife, Mary Beth, will donate $1 million to their alma mater to support the UGA Athletic Association’s new social justice program.https://t.co/ZY5w2x56l0

— DawgPost (@Dawg_Post) September 17, 2020

“Neath the sun-kissed sky,
proudly stands our Alma Mater,
Banners high”

I purposely waited for the sun to set so I could take this picture. Bill Wood, the composer of my school’s alma mater nailed it lyrically. pic.twitter.com/7mzNpHHOuX

— Jasher®️ (@jashercox) November 28, 2017

 

 

Try using alma mater!

True or False?

The term alma mater can refer to the high school that one graduated from.