alma mater

UK: /ˈælməˈmɑːtə^r/

US: /ˈɑlmə ˈmɑtɚ, ˈæl- ˈælmə ˈmeɪtɚ/

US: (äl′mə mä′tər, al′-; al′mə mā′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

al•ma ma•ter /ˈɑlmə ˈmɑtɚ, ˈæl- ˈælmə ˈmeɪtɚ/  n. [countable]

1. Education a school, college, or university at which one has studied.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

al•ma ma•ter  (äl′mə mä′tər, al′-; al′mə mā′tər), 

1. Education a school, college, or university at which one has studied and, usually, from which one has graduated.
2. Education the official anthem of a school, college, or university.

• Latin: nourishing (i.e., dear) mother

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

alma mater / ˈælmə ˈmɑːtə ˈmeɪtə/ noun

1. (often capitals) one's school, college, or university

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin: bountiful mother