saliva

American  

[suh-lahy-vuh] / səˈlaɪ və /

noun

• salivas
  plural

1. a viscid, watery fluid, secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands, that functions in the tasting, chewing, and swallowing of food, moistens the mouth, and starts the digestion of starches.

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saliva British  

/ səˈlaɪvə /

noun

1. the secretion of salivary glands, consisting of a clear usually slightly acid aqueous fluid of variable composition. It moistens the oral cavity, prepares food for swallowing, and initiates the process of digestion

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saliva Scientific  

/ sə-lī′və /

1. The watery fluid that is secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands. In many animals, including humans, it contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbohydrates. Saliva also contains mucus, which lubricates food for swallowing, and various proteins and mineral salts. Some special chemicals occur in the saliva of other animals, such as anticoagulants in the saliva of mosquitoes.

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saliva Cultural  

1. The fluid produced by the secretions of the salivary glands. Saliva contains enzymes that begin the digestion of starches. It also moistens the mouth tissues and makes food easier to chew and swallow.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• salivary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• salivas
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of saliva

First recorded in 1670–80, saliva is from the Latin word salīva

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Explanation

The watery stuff in your mouth is called saliva. Saliva helps you swallow, but it can also be used to prep a spit ball. You might know saliva as spit — but officially, when you spit, you spit saliva. There are special glands inside your mouth that produce saliva, which helps you chew and swallow, and also contains enzymes that start breaking down your food so it can be digested. Saliva is a Latin word, meaning "spittle," but its origin beyond that is a mystery.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

saliva

Exposure can occur any time saliva or tissue from the infected animal enters the body, such as through a bite or a scratch, or contact with a wound or the mouth, nose or eyes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Although several leads emerged from the programme, it was only when police began taking saliva samples from volunteers that they made an arrest at a residential home near Koblenz.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

It’s that saliva that triggers an immune response in humans—and makes us itch long after the mosquito has gone.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

Tests showed that extracts from the bean gum lowered HPV levels by 93% in saliva samples.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

Captain Snow licked saliva from the edges of his beak.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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