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
• slaver
• slobber
• spit
• spittle

Examples of saliva in a Sentence

our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner

Recent Examples on the Web

Arakawa, 65, died on about Feb. 11 from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare disease transmitted through rodent urine, droppings or saliva, officials said. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2025

What Is Hantavirus? Humans can catch hantavirus from contact with rodents like rats and deer mice, especially when exposed to their urine, droppings, and saliva. —Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2025

Rodents carry the virus and it is contained in their urine, droppings, and saliva. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025

Hantavirus can be transmitted from rodent dropping, urine and saliva. —Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 8 Mar. 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