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

The bank cited live events, as well as Netflix’s in-house ad tech platform, as catalysts for growth. —Pia Singh, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024

The language barrier has always been the catalyst for most problems when working with someone who speaks a foreign language. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

More From Newsweek Vault: Guide to Cryptocurrency Scams and How To Avoid Them Trump's election victory fuels Bitcoin's price rise Of course, the recent presidential victory for Trump has been viewed as a positive catalyst for Bitcoin's price trajectory. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

Still, at family gatherings and in cheesy movies, mistletoe remains the catalyst of many an awkward or playful holiday peck. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing catalyst

• co-catalyst

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