catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈka-tə-ləst 

1

: a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible

2

: an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action

That waterway became the catalyst of the area's industrialization.

He was the catalyst in the native uprising.

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Word History of Catalyst

Catalyst is a fairly recent addition to the English language, first appearing at the start of the 20^th century with its chemistry meaning. It was formed from the word catalysis, another chemistry term which refers to a modification and especially an increase in the rate of a chemical reaction induced by material unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction. By the 1940s, the figurative sense of catalyst was in use for someone or something that quickly causes change or action.

Examples of catalyst in a Sentence

The bombing attack was the catalyst for war.

She was proud to be a catalyst for reform in the government.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maybe this World Happiness Day is an invitation to configure a glocal approach to happiness, in which everyone gets a fair chance to thrive – free from material want, equipped to harness AI as a catalyst of their own best self. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

This fantasy set-up is the catalyst for a journey of reconnection for mother and father, May and Cody, across a variety of brilliantly distinct levels. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

Analyst Andrew Boone noted that Duolingo’s Max subscriptions could be a boon for the stock moving forward, and also cited an attractive valuation as a bullish catalyst. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2025

One such journalist-commentator was Walter Lippmann (1889-1974), a political analyst who wrote a number of influential columns, including a piece infamously viewed as a catalyst for Japanese internment during World War II. —Joseph Jones, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing catalyst

• co-catalyst

Rhymes for catalyst

• catalysed

Kids Definition

catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈkat-ᵊl-əst 

1

: a substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but is itself unchanged at the end of the process

especially : such a substance that speeds up a reaction or enables it to proceed under milder conditions

2

: a person or event that quickly causes change or action

the scandal was a catalyst for reform

Medical Definition

catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈkat-ᵊl-əst 

: a substance (as an enzyme) that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible