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]

Related Words

• academy