accelerant

American

[ak-sel-er-uhnt] / ækˈsɛl ər ənt /

noun

something that speeds up a process.
Chemistry. accelerator.
a substance that accelerates the spread of fire or makes a fire more intense.

Arson was suspected when police found accelerants at the scene of the fire.

accelerant British

/ ækˈsɛlərənt /

noun

chem another name for accelerator

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

accelerant Scientific

/ ăk-sĕl′ər-ənt /

A substance, such as a petroleum distillate, that is used as a catalyst, as in spreading an intentionally set fire.

Etymology

Origin of accelerant

1915–20; < Latin accelerant- (stem of accelerāns ) hastening (present participle of accelerāre ). See accelerate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Another risk is that nonbanks, including hedge funds, could be forced to sell assets in a downturn, and derivatives-market activity could act as an accelerant in a selloff.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

It would be naive to say that wasn’t an accelerant.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

The race to AGI is a primary accelerant of this struggle.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

LegalZoom CEO Jeff Stibel said he approaches AI as an accelerant for his business and so-called Main Street companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

The thick 1980s carpets provided a natural accelerant and the fire quickly took hold.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023