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

Suck on Hard Candies Sucking on lozenges or hard candies can stimulate saliva production, which helps moisten and soothe the throat.8 Even better is sucking on candy containing real peppermint or honey. 7. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2025

For those not familiar (or who maybe just have a bit of illness exhaustion!), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says animals infected with bird flu can shed the virus via saliva, mucus, and feces. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 6 Feb. 2025

This form of avian flu is spread through saliva, nasal secretions and feces of infected birds. —William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

The zoo was unable to confirm the source of the exposure, but the Centers for Disease Control say that HPAI is spread through saliva, nasal secretion and the feces of infected birds. —Christina Shaw, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025

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