The correct spelling of the phrase "alma mat" is actually "alma mater," which is derived from Latin and means "nourishing mother." The correct pronunciation, based on IPA phonetic transcription, is [ˈælmə ˈmeɪtər]. The first syllable is pronounced like "almond" without the "nd," and the second syllable rhymes with "later." The stress is on the second syllable. Alma mater is often used to refer to one's alma mater (i.e., the school or university one attended), or to sing the alma mater song.
The phrase "alma mater" is of Latin origin. "Alma" means "nourishing" or "kind" in Latin, while "mater" translates to "mother". Therefore, "alma mater" can be understood as "nurturing mother" or "fostering mother". The term is used to refer to the educational institution from which someone has graduated, as a way to honor and acknowledge the role it played in their intellectual development.