saliva

noun

sa·​li·​va sə-ˈlī-və 

: a slightly alkaline secretion of water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme (such as ptyalin) that is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often begins the breakdown of starches

Synonyms of saliva

• drool
• spit
• spittle

Examples of saliva in a Sentence

our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner

Recent Examples on the Web

Per Mayo Clinic, Ebola is spread by body fluids, including saliva, sweat, blood and feces. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Testing can be completed through a simple cheek swab, blood test or saliva sample. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

The results showed that chewing sugar-containing gum after beetroot juice made saliva more acidic than chewing sugar-free gum did. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026

But perhaps venom’s most consequential gift hangs in the frothy saliva of the Gila monster. — Steve Midway, STAT, 16 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for saliva

• godiva
• conjunctiva
• conjunctivae

Kids Definition

saliva

noun

sa·​li·​va sə-ˈlī-və 

: a fluid containing water, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme that is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands

Medical Definition

saliva

noun

sa·​li·​va sə-ˈlī-və 

: a slightly alkaline secretion of water, mucin, protein, salts, and often a starch-splitting enzyme (as ptyalin) that is secreted into the mouth by salivary glands, lubricates ingested food, and often begins the breakdown of starches