DictionaryAI

catalyst

noun
KAT-uh-list/ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/UKKAT-i-list/ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/

Pluralcatalysts

5 meanings of catalyst

Practice

  1. 1
    cause of changenounfigurativelycountable
    A person or thing that helps change or progress happen.

    The new library was a catalyst for changes in our small town.

    Her speech became the catalyst that got the whole class to start a garden.

    Similarstimulus

    Oppositeinhibitor, dampener

    Note
  2. 2
    chemistrynouncountable
    A substance that makes a chemical reaction happen faster without being used up.

    In science class, the liquid began to bubble much faster once we added a catalyst.

    Without a catalyst, this reaction would take many hours.

    Oppositeinhibitor

    Note
  3. 3
    story eventnouncountable
    In a story, the event that starts the trouble or struggle that comes after it.

    In the movie, the catalyst is a phone call that sends the hero back to his hometown.

    The catalyst in this book is the day the father loses his job.

    Similartrigger

    Note
  4. 4
    car exhaustnouncountable
    A part in the exhaust of a car or truck that makes the gases from its engine less harmful.

    The mechanic said the car's catalyst was blocked and had to be replaced.

    Thieves stole the catalyst from under his truck last night.

    Similarconverter

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 5
    noun
    An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand).

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of catalyst apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Made from the word catalysis and the ending -ist.