catalyst

[kat-l-ist] /ˈkæt l ɪst/
noun
1.
Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
2.
something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.
3.
a person or thing that precipitates an event or change:
His imprisonment by the government served as the catalyst that helped transform social unrest into revolution.
4.
a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.
Origin
1900-05; cataly(sis) + (-i)st
Related forms
self-catalyst, noun
semicatalyst, noun
Examples from the web for catalysts
  • Step two would be converting the gas to ethanol using chemical catalysts.
  • Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions.
  • In warm weather, trees release volatile chemicals that act as catalysts for smog.
  • Realizing this vision will transform libraries from guardians of tradition to catalysts of a vast change.
  • The catalysts for revolt are common: restricted liberties, rising food costs, and high unemployment.
  • Economic austerity was only one of the catalysts for the trend toward efficient living.
  • And currency traders have found new potential catalysts for revaluation.
  • Sensitive dates have often been catalysts for renewed trouble.
  • Employees are continually confronted with new challenges that become catalysts for building new capabilities.
  • These are catalysts added to vaccines to improve their efficacy and reduce the amount of active ingredients required.
British Dictionary definitions for catalysts

catalyst

/ˈkætəlɪst/
noun
1.
a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change Compare inhibitor (sense 2)
2.
a person or thing that causes a change
Word Origin and History for catalysts

catalyst

n.

"substance which speeds a chemical reaction but itself remains unchanged," 1902, formed in English (on analogy of analyst) from catalysis. Figurative use by 1943.

catalysts in Medicine

catalyst cat·a·lyst (kāt'l-ĭst)
n.
A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.

cat'a·lyt'ic (kāt'l-ĭt'ĭk) adj.
catalysts in Science
catalyst
  (kāt'l-ĭst)   
A substance that starts or speeds up a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself. The enzymes in saliva, for example, are catalysts in digestion.

catalytic adjective (kāt'l-ĭt'ĭk)
catalysts in Culture
catalyst [(kat-uh-list)]

In chemistry, a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.

Note: The term catalyst is often used to refer to the prime agent of any change: “She was the catalyst for the reorganization.”