: 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
However, the technology rapidly developed in the ensuing decades, and in the early 2000s, a DNA test linked Ridgway’s saliva sample to DNA collected from murder victims.
—
Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
At-home menopause kits work by checking a person's hormone levels, either via a urine, blood, or saliva sample.
—Jani Hall, Health, 18 Apr. 2024
Bird flu symptoms in humans Human infection with the bird flu can happen during close contact with infected birds or when people touch sick birds or their saliva, mucus and feces, the CDC said.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Infected birds usually shed the bird flu virus through their saliva, mucus, and poop.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024
Although the two groups are matched in terms of ethnicity and age, the researchers hope to find some differences in genetics, as assessed by saliva samples, and environmental exposure, determined through surveys asking about people’s pasts.
—Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
Throat lozenges help increase saliva to lubricate your throat.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024
The nests, made from the birds’ saliva, are the key ingredient in bird’s nest soup, an expensive delicacy believed by many Chinese to have health benefits.
—Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva, mucous, or feces from wild or domestic birds.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024
At-home menopause kits work by checking a person's hormone levels, either via a urine, blood, or saliva sample.
—Jani Hall, Health, 18 Apr. 2024
Bird flu symptoms in humans Human infection with the bird flu can happen during close contact with infected birds or when people touch sick birds or their saliva, mucus and feces, the CDC said.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Infected birds usually shed the bird flu virus through their saliva, mucus, and poop.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 3 Apr. 2024
Although the two groups are matched in terms of ethnicity and age, the researchers hope to find some differences in genetics, as assessed by saliva samples, and environmental exposure, determined through surveys asking about people’s pasts.
—Simar Bajaj, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
Throat lozenges help increase saliva to lubricate your throat.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 5 Apr. 2024
The nests, made from the birds’ saliva, are the key ingredient in bird’s nest soup, an expensive delicacy believed by many Chinese to have health benefits.
—Muktita Suhartono Nyimas Laula, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or surfaces that may be contaminated with saliva, mucous, or feces from wild or domestic birds.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'saliva.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near saliva
Cite this Entry
“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
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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