saliva

noun sa·li·va \ sə-ˈlī-və \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 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

Learning from California, Utah and Colorado crime labs, Oregon's lab went from looking for any specific semen, saliva or bodily fluid samples based on an assault report to finding the best three samples of foreign male DNA.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "State releases audit on crime lab's processing of untested sexual assault kits," 2 May 2018
The process starts by taking a sample of urine, blood or saliva.

— catherine ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna’s new startup aims to detect diseases," 26 Apr. 2018
On the other side of the spectrum is the dry, overcooked burger, accompanied by dry bread, a saliva-vacuuming experience in which ketchup and mustard are expected to carry entirely too much weight.

— dan nosowitz, GQ, "Skip the Burger, Eat the Patty Melt," 28 June 2018
Tick paralysis is thought be caused by a toxin in tick saliva, according to the Centers for Disease and Control.

— ashley may, USA TODAY, "Tick paralysis: 5-year-old suddenly couldn't walk, had trouble speaking, mom says," 12 June 2018
In addition to speedier development of new roadside tests, such as those that use saliva or sweat from a driver's fingertips, the group call for better research on the issue.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Opioids, pot used by more than half of drug-tested drivers killed in crashes," 31 May 2018
But Cruz is unconvinced, pointing to the gargantuan teeth and treacly saliva trails left behind at several crime scenes.

— stephen dalton, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Murder Me, Monster' ('Muere, monstro, muere'): Film Review | Cannes 2018," 13 May 2018
Chronic itch is different from chemical itch, which occurs when the immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as oil from a poison oak leaf or saliva in a mosquito bite.

— emily underwood, Science | AAAS, "Why getting old gives you itchy skin," 3 May 2018
Wikimedia The mice shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Mice-borne hantavirus kills young mom; here's what you need to know | The Kansas City Star," 23 Apr. 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

in the meaning defined above

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