Home UK English alma mater

Meaning of alma mater in English:

alma mater

Pronunciation /ˌalmə ˈmɑːtə/ /ˌalmə ˈmeɪtə/

Translate alma mater into Spanish

noun

one's alma mater

  • The university, school, or college that one formerly attended.

    ‘he started teaching at his alma mater’
    • ‘These schools are Kallis’ ‘Alma Mater’: Wynberg Boys High in Cape Town, Selborne College in East London, Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria Boys High in Pretoria.’
    • ‘I could get used to Melbourne as an Alma Mater (the weekend turned out to be a wonderful period of revelation in this regard, but more on that later).’
    • ‘For the first time since I’ve graduated, I can say that I am proud of my alma mater.’
    • ‘Maintain contact with one's Alma Mater as a means of extending one's business and engineering network.’
    • ‘Wackadoo's Grub & Brew was designed to target the college community by creating an atmosphere of pride and tradition in one's Alma Mater.’
    educational institution, centre of learning

Origin

Mid 17th century (in the general sense ‘someone or something providing nourishment’): Latin, literally ‘generous mother’.