: 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
The infection does not come from the bug’s saliva — only from its feces.
—
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
New testing tools, like saliva swabs and eye-tracking, are being developed, but are not yet ready for application in real-life scenarios.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Who’s to say how things would’ve played out if Philadelphia’s All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter had kept his saliva to himself, but Williams dominated snaps and touches for the Cowboys, and looked good throughout.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for saliva
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Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
New testing tools, like saliva swabs and eye-tracking, are being developed, but are not yet ready for application in real-life scenarios.
—Andrew Yockey, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025
And if there's a bite mark, chances are some contamination has happened because animals can carry bacteria and parasites in their saliva.
—Amy Brightfield, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Sep. 2025
Who’s to say how things would’ve played out if Philadelphia’s All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter had kept his saliva to himself, but Williams dominated snaps and touches for the Cowboys, and looked good throughout.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Sep. 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 16 Sep. 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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