catalytic converter

American  

noun

1. 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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catalytic converter British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: catcon.  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 vehicles

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Etymology

Origin of catalytic converter

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Police tried to pull fingerprints from Wactor’s car and link the crime to any nearby catalytic converter thefts.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2024

Penalties were increased for buyers who fail to certify that a catalytic converter wasn’t stolen.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024

They also are checking to see if there are connections to other nearby catalytic converter thefts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

Many agencies don’t track catalytic converter thefts specifically, and other agencies vary in how they track them.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 1, 2024

It was boxy and angular, and it poured so much smoke out of its exhaust pipe, I was certain the Forges of some Dark Lord were firing deep within its catalytic converter.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram