catalytic converter
noun
an antipollution device in an automotive exhaust system that contains a catalyst for chemically converting some pollutants in the exhaust gases, as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen, into harmless compounds.
Origin of catalytic converter
First recorded in 1960–65
Words nearby catalytic converter
catalufa,
catalyse,
catalysis,
catalyst,
catalytic,
catalytic converter,
catalytic cracker,
catalytic cracking,
catalyze,
catamaran,
catamarca
British Dictionary definitions for catalytic converter
catalytic converter
noun
a device using three-way catalysts to reduce the obnoxious and poisonous components of the products of combustion (mainly oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburnt hydrocarbons) from the exhausts of motor vehicles
Sometimes shortened to: catcon