catalysis
noun
ca·tal·y·sis
kə-ˈta-lə-səs 
plural catalyses
kə-ˈta-lə-ˌsēz
: a modification and especially increase in the rate of a chemical reaction induced by material unchanged chemically at the end of the reaction
Examples of catalysis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Within a few years they were being tested for energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, catalysis, and sensors.
—
Chelsea Haney
october 11, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2025
The pioneering visions of Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi laid the foundations for a vibrant discipline that has grown to encompass everything from gas storage and catalysis to energy and environmental technologies.
—Stavroula Alina Kampouri, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Researchers tested this process, known as photothermal catalysis, in the laboratory using a simulant based on samples of lunar regolith returned to Earth by China's Chang'e 5 mission (the lunar samples are far too previous to destroy in such experiments, which is why a simulant is used instead).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 July 2025
Treatment protocols here are made-to-measure and use the brand’s products, which are created with bio-fermentation, enzymatic catalysis and plant cell culture technologies.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, this method yields three times more product than fermentation and uses fewer resources than chemical catalysis.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Adding more is easier said than done, because different pigments have different optimal conditions for catalysis.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2010
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Chelsea Haney
october 11, New Atlas, 11 Oct. 2025
The pioneering visions of Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi laid the foundations for a vibrant discipline that has grown to encompass everything from gas storage and catalysis to energy and environmental technologies.
—Stavroula Alina Kampouri, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Researchers tested this process, known as photothermal catalysis, in the laboratory using a simulant based on samples of lunar regolith returned to Earth by China's Chang'e 5 mission (the lunar samples are far too previous to destroy in such experiments, which is why a simulant is used instead).
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 July 2025
Treatment protocols here are made-to-measure and use the brand’s products, which are created with bio-fermentation, enzymatic catalysis and plant cell culture technologies.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 27 Jan. 2025
Furthermore, this method yields three times more product than fermentation and uses fewer resources than chemical catalysis.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Adding more is easier said than done, because different pigments have different optimal conditions for catalysis.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 Apr. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Catalysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalysis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catalysis
noun
ca·tal·y·sis
kə-ˈtal-ə-səs
: the change and especially increase in the rate of a chemical reaction caused by a catalyst
Medical Definition
catalysis
noun
ca·tal·y·sis
kə-ˈtal-ə-səs
plural catalyses
-ˌsēz
: a change and especially increase in the rate of a chemical reaction induced by a catalyst
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