: 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
Along the way came other misdiagnoses such as Sjogren's disease, a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to underproduction of tears and saliva.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal, including through the saliva or brain and nervous system tissue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024
If they get lodged in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electric current causing a chemical burn that can severely damage the esophagus.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
When a voltage is applied to the gel, the chemicals are transported to the surface in a liquid that then mixes with saliva on the tongue like a real lollipop.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for saliva 
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal, including through the saliva or brain and nervous system tissue, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Carma Hassan, CNN, 3 Dec. 2024
If they get lodged in a child’s throat, the saliva triggers an electric current causing a chemical burn that can severely damage the esophagus.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
When a voltage is applied to the gel, the chemicals are transported to the surface in a liquid that then mixes with saliva on the tongue like a real lollipop.
—IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for saliva
Dictionary Entries Near saliva
Cite this Entry
“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.
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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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