: 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
Examples of saliva in a Sentence
our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
He is described as a gigantic, ogre-like man who reeks of urine and is usually dribbling saliva from his overhanging bottom lip.
—
Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
The first sight and smell of food increases your body’s production of saliva and stomach acid in anticipation of the work ahead.
—Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
It's also found in the saliva of some ticks.
—NPR, 15 Nov. 2025
The tick’s saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is injected into the body with the bite.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saliva
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Literary Hub, 19 Nov. 2025
The first sight and smell of food increases your body’s production of saliva and stomach acid in anticipation of the work ahead.
—Bryn Beeder, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2025
It's also found in the saliva of some ticks.
—NPR, 15 Nov. 2025
The tick’s saliva contains a sugar molecule called alpha-gal, which is injected into the body with the bite.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saliva
Cite this Entry
“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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