catalyst
[ kat-l-ist ]
/ ˈkæt l ɪst /
noun
Chemistry.
a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.
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.
a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.
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Origin of catalyst
First recorded in 1900–05;
cataly(sis) +
(-i)st
OTHER WORDS FROM catalyst
self-cat·a·lyst, noun sem·i·cat·a·lyst, nounWords nearby catalyst
Example sentences from the Web for catalyst
British Dictionary definitions for catalyst
catalyst
/ (ˈkætəlɪst) /
noun
a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change
Compare inhibitor (def. 2)
a person or thing that causes a change
Medical definitions for catalyst
catalyst
[ kăt′l-ĭst ]
n.
A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.
Other words from catalyst
cat′a•lyt′ic (kăt′l-ĭt′ĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for catalyst
catalyst
[ kăt′l-ĭst ]
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.
Other words from catalyst
catalytic adjective (kăt′l-ĭt′ĭk)Cultural definitions for catalyst
catalyst
[ (kat-uh-list) ]
In chemistry, a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.
notes for catalyst
The term
catalyst is often used to refer to the prime agent of any change: “She was the catalyst for the reorganization.”