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

Infected birds shed flu viruses in their saliva, mucus, and feces. —Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026

Lurie asked his team to create a soft and non-invasive device that could track babies' stress levels during hospital stays without having to take blood or saliva samples. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 14 May 2026

Hantavirus is initially contracted by humans through inhalation of particles contaminated with the urine, feces or saliva of a rodent. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

The Andes hantavirus is a disease that can spread through exposure to rodent droppings, urine and saliva, but can sometimes be contracted from prolonged contact with an infected person, according to the KDHE. —Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 14 May 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