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

Following up on the best practices outlined here and adapting to the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape could be the catalyst for your online store's growth. —Karan Sharma, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Analyst Mariana Perez Mora said Trump’s plans to strictly enforce border security and employ mass deportations could be a catalyst for OSI, given the potential scale of such an undertaking. —Brian Evans, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

Gillespie is surely a catalyst for Maryland’s improved shooting, too. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 5 Dec. 2024

Miracle Mark, an environmental projects coordinator at Sixteenth Street, explained that access to natural spaces can be a catalyst for physical and mental well-being. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 4 Dec. 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