: 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
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, 19 June 2025
The Bug Bite Thing is clinically proven to suction out irritants like venom and saliva from mosquitoes, wasps, and more, taking the itching, stinging, and swelling with them.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025
The virus is typically transmitted to humans when they are bitten or come into contact with urine, droppings and saliva of an infected rodent.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 12 June 2025
The alkaloid, called atropine, is administered to increase heart rate, reduce saliva and fluid in the respiratory tract during surgery, and treat insecticide or mushroom poisoning.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 19 June 2025
The Bug Bite Thing is clinically proven to suction out irritants like venom and saliva from mosquitoes, wasps, and more, taking the itching, stinging, and swelling with them.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025
The virus is typically transmitted to humans when they are bitten or come into contact with urine, droppings and saliva of an infected rodent.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 12 June 2025
The alkaloid, called atropine, is administered to increase heart rate, reduce saliva and fluid in the respiratory tract during surgery, and treat insecticide or mushroom poisoning.
—Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 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 8 Jul. 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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