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

Her call is that 2026 catalysts matter more than the limited scope available now for a year-end rally.

From MarketWatch

Be receptive to the restorative powers of the wilderness, and let it be a catalyst for your journey toward wellness and oneness with the great outdoors.

From Los Angeles Times

“Social media has been quite a catalyst for essentially introducing these old shows to a whole new audience, whether it’s through memes, viral clips or whatever it may be,” Vazirani said.

From Los Angeles Times

With few catalysts to drive gains on Wall Street, tech was again at the forefront of buying Monday, with chip titan Nvidia and Tesla leading the way.

From Barron's

But there are few macroeconomic catalysts on tap until January, which will likely mute shifts in investor expectations over rates that typically move stocks.

From Barron's

Related Words

• impetus
• incentive
• motivation
• stimulant