saliva

noun

sa·​li·​va sə-ˈlī-və How to pronounce saliva (audio)
Synonyms of salivanext
: 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 of saliva

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Examples of saliva in a Sentence

our mouths filled with saliva when we smelled the delicious dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The company conducts saliva testing for professional sports teams, providing analysis on dozens of biomarkers that touch immunology, inflammation, sleep, hydration, psychological stress and more. — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 10 Aug. 2026 Scientists tested their saliva and fur and didn’t find signs of the allergy-causing protein. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Although the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood, evidence indicates that exposure to components of tick saliva stimulates the production of IgE antibodies against alpha-gal in susceptible individuals. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026 Diabetes and some medicines used to treat it can reduce saliva production and increase the amount of sugar in saliva, which can lead to dental issues. — Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for saliva

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of saliva was in the 15th century

Rhymes for saliva

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Browse Nearby Words

salite
saliva
salival
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Cite this Entry

“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

saliva

noun
sa·​li·​va sə-ˈlī-və How to pronounce saliva (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce saliva (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on saliva

Nglish: Translation of saliva for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about saliva

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