catalyst

[ kat-l-ist ]

noun

1. Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
2. something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.
3. a person or thing that precipitates an event or change:

   His imprisonment by the government served as the catalyst that helped transform social unrest into revolution.

4. a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.

catalyst

/ ˈkætəlɪst /

noun

1. a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change Compare inhibitor
2. a person or thing that causes a change

catalyst

/ kăt′l-ĭst /

1. A substance that starts or speeds up a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself. The enzymes in saliva, for example, are catalysts in digestion.

catalyst

1. In chemistry , a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.

Notes

The term catalyst is often used to refer to the prime agent of any change: “She was the catalyst for the reorganization.”

Other Words From

• self-cata·lyst noun
• semi·cata·lyst noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalyst¹

First recorded in 1900–05; cataly(sis) + (-i)st

Example Sentences

Today, two groups report in Nature the discovery of catalysts that could offer a cheaper way to clean up the chemicals.

From Science Magazine

Chief executive Joe Bailey said: "We work within one of the most creative and dynamic industries in the UK and hope this event will be the catalyst for future careers."

From BBC

The team used electrocatalysis, a type of chemical reaction initiated by electron transfers to and from reactants on surfaces of catalysts, to convert carbon dioxide into biocompatible intermediates, such as acetate and ethanol.

From Science Daily

Notably, the catalyst requires only minimal amounts of magnetic materials -- up to seven orders of magnitude less than previous approaches -- making it both safer and more practical for large-scale applications.

From Science Daily

The city also has been using the Olympics as a catalyst in seeking federal funds for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $3.3-billion wish list of infrastructure projects.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• impetus
• incentive
• motivation
• stimulant