catalase

American

[kat-l-ays, -ayz] / ˈkæt lˌeɪs, -ˌeɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

an enzyme that decomposes hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

catalase British

/ ˈkætəˌleɪs /

noun

an enzyme that catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

"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

Other Word Forms

catalatic

adjective

Etymology

Origin of catalase

First recorded in 1900–05; catal(ysis) + -ase

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.

See Examples For:

catalase

The researchers suggest that future wound dressings infused with antioxidants such as catalase could help promote healing.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 20, 2026

When the researchers treated stressed skin cells with catalase, a naturally occurring antioxidant enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide, cellular stress levels dropped.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 20, 2026

That something seems to be related to an enzyme called catalase.

From Economist ● Sep. 30, 2010

Dr Watabe found that the offspring of calorie-restricted mothers have more catalase than those of mothers who were fed without restriction.

From Economist ● Sep. 30, 2010

Does water-soluble vitamine function as a catalase activator.

From The Vitamine Manual by Walter H. Eddy

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