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

• 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

Esteller and the research team took samples from Branyas’ blood, saliva, urine and stool before examining her genome and comparing it with those belonging to 75 other Iberian women. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

Researchers examined her blood, saliva, urine and stool to determine what factors contributed to her long life. —Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

Across blood, saliva and urine, her biological age was significantly younger than her chronological age on multiple independent clocks. —New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025

These vampiric bugs use needle-like mouthpieces to locate a capillary and inject saliva containing anesthetics and anticoagulants into its host allowing blood to flow freely into their stomachs for several minutes. —Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Sep. 2025

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