catalytic converter

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noun

an antipollution device in an automotive exhaust system that contains a catalyst for chemically converting some pollutants in the exhaust gases, as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and oxides of nitrogen, into harmless compounds.

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Origin of catalytic converter

First recorded in 1960–65

Words nearby catalytic converter

catalufa, catalyse, catalysis, catalyst, catalytic, catalytic converter, catalytic cracker, catalytic cracking, catalyze, catamaran, Catamarca

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use catalytic converter in a sentence

These vehicles have higher clearance, which makes their catalytic converters easier to access.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged during the pandemic. Police are fighting back.|Donovan Thomas|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
The owner of RS Automotive, Depeswar Doley, had witnessed several of his regular customers fall victim to catalytic converter thefts.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged during the pandemic. Police are fighting back.|Donovan Thomas|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
However, it can cost thousands to replace a stolen catalytic converter.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged during the pandemic. Police are fighting back.|Donovan Thomas|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
To combat the problem in Takoma Park, police have teamed up with a local mechanic who will paint tag numbers on catalytic converters that police will log in a database that can track the owners if the converters are stolen.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged during the pandemic. Police are fighting back.|Donovan Thomas|October 8, 2021|Washington Post

In Ohio, lawmakers introduced a bill to ban the sale of catalytic converters without proof of ownership.
Catalytic converter thefts have surged during the pandemic. Police are fighting back.|Donovan Thomas|October 8, 2021|Washington Post
Communications tools and political platform building workshops could be catalytic.
Satellites Correctly Predict Military Campaign Against Civilians in Sudan|Akshaya Kumar|December 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
With the converter in operation, the first step in the cycle was the evacuation of the ducts to a near-perfect vacuum.
Greylorn|John Keith Laumer
He boosted me into the chamber of the converter and pointed out an opening near the top, about twelve by twenty-four inches.
Greylorn|John Keith Laumer
The roaring flames, rushing from the mouth of the converter, changes its violet color to orange and finally to pure white.
The Harris-Ingram Experiment|Charles E. Bolton
This fact explains the so-called “catalytic” action of acids and bases in decomposing such compounds as the esters.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various
The printing in capitals was obviously done by hand, but with the same catalytic "ink" as the rest of the badge.
Police Your Planet|Lester del Rey

British Dictionary definitions for catalytic converter

catalytic converter

noun

a device using three-way catalysts to reduce the obnoxious and poisonous components of the products of combustion (mainly oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and unburnt hydrocarbons) from the exhausts of motor vehiclesSometimes shortened to: catcon

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