: 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
On March 7, the New Mexico chief medical examiner, Heather Jarrell, revealed that Arakawa had died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by hantavirus, which is transmitted to humans via rodent droppings, saliva and urine.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 May 2025
Quartey said some medications can also reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth, which may intensify bitter or sour flavors.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025
Ways of treating xerostomia including stopping or reducing whatever may be inhibiting saliva production, using lozenges like ones that contain sorbitol or taking medication that stimulate saliva production like cevimeline and pilocarpine.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Snoring or a condition known as dry mouth can also contribute to the formation of cavities because both indicate that saliva production might be down.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for saliva
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Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 31 May 2025
Quartey said some medications can also reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth, which may intensify bitter or sour flavors.
—Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025
Ways of treating xerostomia including stopping or reducing whatever may be inhibiting saliva production, using lozenges like ones that contain sorbitol or taking medication that stimulate saliva production like cevimeline and pilocarpine.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Snoring or a condition known as dry mouth can also contribute to the formation of cavities because both indicate that saliva production might be down.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for saliva
Cite this Entry
“Saliva.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/saliva. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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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