: 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
Rabies is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, typically through a bite.
—
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Toothbrush holders collect saliva, water, and toothpaste, allowing bacteria to grow in the dampness.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
People typically become infected with the virus by inhaling microscopic particles from these rodents' urine, feces or saliva, according to Stanford Health.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine, feces, saliva, and nesting materials is the best way to prevent infection.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for saliva
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Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Toothbrush holders collect saliva, water, and toothpaste, allowing bacteria to grow in the dampness.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 18 May 2026
People typically become infected with the virus by inhaling microscopic particles from these rodents' urine, feces or saliva, according to Stanford Health.
—Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Avoiding exposure to rodents and their urine, feces, saliva, and nesting materials is the best way to prevent infection.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for saliva
Cite this Entry
“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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