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

For the study, researchers analyzed data from 1,425 people who participated in the Arivale Scientific Wellness program, a wellness company that delivered personalized health coaching based on data from genetic, blood, saliva, and microbiome testing. —Korin Miller, SELF, 27 Feb. 2026

Mice contaminate food, chew up everything in sight, and spread illnesses through their urine, saliva, and droppings, says Sheldon Owen, a wildlife extension specialist at West Virginia University. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026

Meanwhile, mosquito saliva regularly spreads a number of other dangerous diseases including West Nile virus, dengue fever, and various forms of encephalitis. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Feb. 2026

Rabies is a deadly virus spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually from an animal bite. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 25 Feb. 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