salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsa-lə-ˌver-ē 
: of or relating to saliva or the glands that secrete it
especially
: producing or carrying saliva
Examples of salivary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For these dogs, the salivary cortisol samples were taken both before and after the Wesen test.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Researchers who conducted that study found that the risk of head and neck cancer — particularly laryngeal, oropharyngeal, oral, and salivary cancers — was 2 to 8 times higher for people with cannabis use disorder compared with people without.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Interestingly, a 2024 study found that while women’s salivary oxytocin levels increased after exposure to lavender essential oil, men’s didn’t, leading researchers to speculate that this may be because the sense of smell is more sensitive in women.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Because of this, most research on dogs and stress has focused on salivary cortisol alone.
—Jaci Gandenberger, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salivary
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.
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026
Researchers who conducted that study found that the risk of head and neck cancer — particularly laryngeal, oropharyngeal, oral, and salivary cancers — was 2 to 8 times higher for people with cannabis use disorder compared with people without.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Interestingly, a 2024 study found that while women’s salivary oxytocin levels increased after exposure to lavender essential oil, men’s didn’t, leading researchers to speculate that this may be because the sense of smell is more sensitive in women.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Because of this, most research on dogs and stress has focused on salivary cortisol alone.
—Jaci Gandenberger, The Conversation, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for salivary
Cite this Entry
“Salivary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salivary. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsal-ə-ˌver-ē
: of or relating to saliva or the salivary glands
Medical Definition
salivary
adjective
sal·i·vary
ˈsal-ə-ˌver-ē
: of or relating to saliva or the glands that secrete it
especially
: producing or carrying saliva
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
