alma mater

[ahl-muh mah-ter, al-, al-muh mey-ter] / ˈɑl mə ˈmɑ tər, ˈæl-, ˈæl mə ˈmeɪ tər /

NOUN

school from which one has graduated

Synonyms

STRONGEST

academy

WEAK

college institution old school place of graduation place of matriculation university

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Orgeron played defensive line for four years at Northwestern State, then started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in 1984.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

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

One of them was from my alma mater, the University of Chicago.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

alma mater

Example Sentences

Related Words