catalyst

[ kat-l-ist ]

/ ˈkæt l ɪst /

WATCH NOW: Can A Person Be A Catalyst?

WATCH NOW: Can A Person Be A Catalyst?

A catalyst means "something that causes activity, an event, or change." And usually, these events and changes are big. But, can a catalyst be a person?

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR catalyst ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

catalonian, catalpa, catalufa, catalyse, catalysis, catalyst, catalytic, catalytic converter, catalytic cracker, catalytic cracking, catalyze

Origin of catalyst

First recorded in 1900–05; cataly(sis) + (-i)st

Related formsself-cat·a·lyst, nounsem·i·cat·a·lyst, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for catalyst

But the copper performs another important function: working as a catalyst in the distillation process.
When It Comes to Great Whisky, The Size of Your Still Matters||December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Brunch is a catalyst, brunch is the enforcer of different-rules-for-the-weekend.
Don’t Diss the Beauty of Brunch: Defending Our Favorite Meal|Tim Teeman|October 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We are proud that our film could be a catalyst for even a small change in the ways these boys are treated in China.
China Doesn't Want You to See the Internet Addiction Film 'Web Junkie'|Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And that question is the catalyst for all the ambiguity throughout the film.
How ‘Transcendence’ Director Wally Pfister Became Christopher Nolan’s Secret Weapon|Andrew Romano|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The senator's 13-hour filibuster of the confirmation of John Brennan to be CIA director last March was the catalyst.
Rand Paul’s Audacity of Nope: Suing Obama Over Domestic Surveillance|Sam Youngman|January 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For that reason the catalyst is referred to as "a chemical parson."
Creative Chemistry|Edwin E. Slosson
A catalyst failed briefly in its task, then resumed, but the damage had been done.
The Short Life|Francis Donovan
As Thane had guessed, the use of gold in the catalyst principle gave Candar pause, but only momentarily.
Evil Out of Onzar|Mark Ganes
I have some scientific knowledge myself about the powers of this catalyst.
Brigands of the Moon|Ray Cummings
There may be a catalyst here in this area which works in conjunction with your thought-processes and not mine.
The Alternate Plan|Gerry Maddren

British Dictionary definitions for catalyst

catalyst

/ (ˈkætəlɪst) /

noun

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical changeCompare inhibitor (def. 2)

a person or thing that causes a change

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

Word Origin and History for catalyst

catalyst

n.

"substance which speeds a chemical reaction but itself remains unchanged," 1902, formed in English (on analogy of analyst) from catalysis. Figurative use by 1943.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine 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.

Related formscat′a•lyt′ic (kăt′l-ĭt′ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science 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.

Related formscatalytic adjective (kăt′l-ĭt′ĭk)

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture 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.

Note

The term catalyst is often used to refer to the prime agent of any change: “She was the catalyst for the reorganization.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.