catalysis

American  

[kuh-tal-uh-sis] / kəˈtæl ə sɪs /

noun

• catalyses
  plural

1. Chemistry. the causing or accelerating of a chemical change by the addition of a catalyst.

2. an action between two or more persons or forces, initiated by an agent that itself remains unaffected by the action.

   social catalyses occasioned by controversial writings.

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catalysis British  

/ kəˈtælɪsɪs /

noun

1. acceleration of a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• self-catalysis
  noun
• anticatalytic
  adjective
• catalytic
  adjective
• catalytical
  adjective
• noncatalytic
  adjective
• semicatalytic
  adjective
• anticatalytically
  adverb
• catalytically
  adverb
• noncatalytically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• catalyses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of catalysis

First recorded in 1645–55; from New Latin, from Greek katálȳsis “dissolution,” equivalent to katalȳ́ein “to dissolve” ( kata- cata- + lȳ́ein “to loosen”) + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catalysis catalyses

Second is a recovery in catalysis alongside abating forex headwinds that should let Clariant generate good earnings growth in 2027, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

"Our study provides a new strategy for engineering biomimetic nanoreactors that increasingly replicate the sophisticated functions of living cells, opening new opportunities in artificial photosynthesis, energy catalysis, and synthetic chemistry," said Prof. Li.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026

Beyond explaining one of gold's most recognizable characteristics, the research could have important implications for catalysis.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

This ability to fine-tune surface composition provides a powerful new way to design materials for electronics, catalysis, energy storage, photonics, and other applications.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 4, 2026

Then little by little catalysis of the hydrogen peroxide begins, with liberation of oxygen.

From The Mechanism of Life by Stéphane Leduc

For this module, the authors engineered their strain to express an enzyme called PLA UDP-glucosyltransferase, which is found in the deadly nightshade plant Atropa belladonna and catalyses the production of PLA glucoside.

From Nature ● Sep. 1, 2020

This gene encodes the enzyme GA20 oxidase 2, which catalyses the production of highly active forms of gibberellin3,4.

From Nature ● Jul. 14, 2020

When an siRNA binds to its target mRNA, it catalyses the destruction of that molecule.

From Nature ● Oct. 15, 2019

Having intended to avoid marriage until his career was fully under way, he falls prey to social pressure; the perception that he and Rosamond are already attached catalyses their engagement.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 21, 2018

If, as for many, it catalyses an interest in the cultural, spiritual and historical movements that came together to create it then that’s lovely.

From The Guardian ● Nov. 23, 2015