saliva

noun sa·li·va \ sə-ˈlī-və \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of saliva

: 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

See saliva defined for English-language learners

See saliva defined for kids

Examples of saliva in a Sentence

our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner

Recent Examples of saliva from the Web

Researchers plan to next study saliva samples to measure other hormones related to stress.

— National Geographic, "Famous Japanese Snow Monkeys Take Baths to Lower Stress," 4 Apr. 2018
Strangely enough, any saliva that collects at the corners of your mouth can actually dry it out, leading to cracks and fissures, Ted Lain, M.D., chief medical officer of Sanova Dermatology, tells SELF.

— amber brenza, SELF, "Why Do the Corners of My Mouth Crack—and How Do I Fix It?," 31 Mar. 2018
The researchers traveled between small villages, taking saliva samples from volunteers in the region in February 2015, particularly from those who spoke Quechua, or whose parents or grandparents spoke Quechua.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "When Genetics and Linguistics Challenge the Winners’ Version of History," 27 Mar. 2018
The main transmission vehicle for viral infections like flu are the droplets of saliva and mucous that an infected person ejects, which are usually at least five micrometers in diameter.

— robbie gonzalez, WIRED, "To Stay Healthy On Your Next Flight, Avoid Aisles and Stay Put," 19 Mar. 2018
Several ant species secrete such compounds in their saliva, and other ant species have been seen grooming nest-mates to help fight off fungal infections.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "In wars with termites, ants rescue and care for their wounded," 14 Feb. 2018
The presence of the virus in the monkeys' feces and saliva presents issues for park workers and visitors, who could be endangered if bitten or scratched.

— CBS News, "Wild Florida monkeys could pass herpes to people, researchers warn," 11 Jan. 2018
The presence of the virus in the monkeys' feces and saliva presents issues for park workers and visitors, who could be endangered if bitten or scratched, the study said.

— jason dearen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Herpes concerns may bring removal of Silver Springs monkeys," 10 Jan. 2018
More than 830,000 people have sent in saliva samples.

— National Geographic, "Siblings Can Have Surprisingly Different DNA Ancestry. Here's Why.," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'saliva.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of saliva

Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

saliva Synonyms

Synonyms

drool, slaver, slobber, spit, spittle;

Related Words

foam, froth;

expectoration, salivation, sputum;

SALIVA Defined for English Language Learners

saliva

noun

Definition of saliva for English Language Learners

: the liquid produced in your mouth that keeps your mouth moist and makes it easier to swallow food

SALIVA Defined for Kids

saliva

noun sa·li·va \ sə-ˈlī-və \

Definition of saliva for Students

: a watery fluid that moistens chewed food and contains enzymes which break down starch and that is secreted into the mouth from three pairs of glands near the mouth

Medical Dictionary

saliva

noun sa·li·va \ sə-ˈlī-və \

medical Definition of saliva

: 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