catalyst

English Online Dictionary. What means catalyst‎? What does catalyst mean?

English

Etymology

From catalysis +‎ -ist.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈkæt.əl.ɪst/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/

Noun

catalyst (plural catalysts)

1. (chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
2. (figurative) Something that encourages progress or change.

   Synonyms: stimulus, straw that stirs the drink

   Antonyms: inhibitor, dampener

   • 2006, The Freedom Writers, with Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them, Diary 74

     Rosa Parks was a true catalyst for change and she was only one person. Hearing about Rosa Parks and her protest showed me that there is hope for me and all the students in Ms. G's classes to truly be catalysts for change.
3. (literature) An inciting incident that sets the successive conflict into motion.
4. (automotive) A catalytic converter.
5. (fantasy) An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand).

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• enzyme