catalyst

American  

[kat-l-ist] / ˈkæt l ɪst /

noun

1. Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.

2. something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.

3. 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.

4. a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.

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catalyst British  

/ ˈkætəlɪst /

noun

1. a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change Compare inhibitor

2. a person or thing that causes a change

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catalyst Scientific  

/ kăt′l-ĭst /

1. 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.

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catalyst Cultural  

1. In chemistry, a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• self-catalyst noun
• semicatalyst noun

Etymology

Origin of catalyst

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

Example Sentences

The lack of expected top-line growth highlights continued weak demand, particularly in catalysts and industrial end markets, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ahmed keeps a buy rating on the stock, but opens a negative catalyst watch on the stock ahead of logistics operator DSV’s capital markets day in May.

From The Wall Street Journal

For now, Wall Street looks stuck searching for a catalyst to push the S&P 500 out of a monthslong sideways range.

From Barron's

For now, Wall Street looks stuck searching for a catalyst to push the S&P 500 out of a monthslong sideways range.

From Barron's

“The latest round of U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva acted as a catalyst to trim down risk across the board,” said Pepperstone’s Michael Brown in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• impetus
• incentive
• motivation
• stimulant