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

The company’s at-home kits allow customers to exchange a saliva sample for insights into their genome relating to things such as their possible ancestry, health, and food preferences. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024

Scientists are also examining the potential of using saliva samples in tests for bacterial or viral infections. —Julie Sullivan, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024

The women reported information about their diet and also gave saliva samples that the team used to analyze their biological age. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 25 Sep. 2024

There have also been reports of correlations between saliva cortisol levels and cortical thickness in the frontal lobe among human adults. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 9 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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