catalyst

noun cat·a·lyst \ ˈka-tə-ləst \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of catalyst

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.

See catalyst defined for English-language learners

See catalyst defined for kids

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 of catalyst from the Web

Outside events are often the catalyst, and Timms offered two examples.

— ellen mcgirt, Fortune, "raceAhead: Finding New Power At Work," 5 Apr. 2018
The news was a catalyst for race riots in Washington, D.C., Chicago and dozens of other cities, causing damage that took decades to repair.

— USA TODAY, "Live stream: Remembering the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.," 4 Apr. 2018
Sykes has been a catalyst in the local and national fight for civil rights.

— aaron randle, kansascity, "'We are not afraid': At site once defiled by graffiti, spirit of MLK, John Brown lives | The Kansas City Star," 4 Apr. 2018
The mass walkout was the catalyst for lawmakers to pass a major revenue bill – the first in 28 years – to raise teacher salaries that were among the nation’s lowest.

— story hinckley, The Christian Science Monitor, "Surge in teacher activism challenges GOP austerity mindset," 3 Apr. 2018
Devonte’ Graham, Kansas The senior guard and Big 12 Player of the Year is the Jayhawks’ catalyst, averaging 17.3 points and 7.3 assists and hitting 41.1 percent of his 3-pointers.

— shannon ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Breaking down each region in the NCAA tournament: Teams, players and games to watch," 11 Mar. 2018
From gym sessions, to entire football teams practicing, to fights against cancer, the anthemic tune has been a catalyst in inspiring people everywhere.

— wandera hussein, Billboard, "Fans Upload Videos Using Carrie Underwood's Triumphant 'The Champion' as a Soundtrack to Overcoming Struggle," 13 Feb. 2018
The Cavaliers defense was the catalyst, according to Kerr.

— eric hickey, Cincinnati.com, "Cavaliers knock off previously unbeaten McNicholas," 20 Jan. 2018
The referee did not hesitate in showing Perez a red card and the incident was a catalyst for a fiery end to the game.

— SI.com, "Kasper Schmeichel Lucky to Avoid Serious Injury After Nasty Clash With Panama Striker," 23 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catalyst.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of catalyst

see catalysis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1902

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Financial Definition of CATALYST

catalyst

noun

What It Is

A catalyst is news or information that changes a pricing trend in a security.

How It Works

Let's assume that Company XYZ announces earnings that far exceed analysts' expectations. This information could serve as a catalyst that kick-starts trading in the stock and changes its perception from a "dog" to a "star" among investors.

Catalysts can drive an investment up or down. A favorable event can push a stock to new heights, but if events turn sour, the exit for these shares can be very narrow and very crowded.

Let's take the example of a classic investment catalyst: adverse press publicity. A fundamentally strong company can get unfairly beaten up by the press and by analysts, driving down its stock price to unjustified lows. In this case, the catalyst would signal a great opportunity for investors to buy, not sell.

Why It Matters

Catalysts can change the perception of a security. They can be almost anything: earnings releases, favorable or unfavorable economic reports, management changes, new products, product recalls, successful (or unsuccessful) marketing campaigns, lawsuits, etc.

Quite often, catalysts are the news or events that finally call attention to fundamentals or other intrinsic factors that have existed for some time in a security. When investors can identify what events or information will be catalysts for a particular security, they essentially are able to predict which way the security will go if and when the information becomes public knowledge.

However, catalysts must be considered within the context of investment strategy. Investors buy when they anticipate the market will rise; they sell when they anticipate the market will fall. Catalysts are only one factor in the equation.

Source: Investing Answers

CATALYST Defined for English Language Learners

catalyst

noun

Definition of catalyst for English Language Learners

: a substance that causes a chemical reaction to happen more quickly
: a person or event that quickly causes change or action

Medical Dictionary

catalyst

noun cat·a·lyst \ ˈkat-ᵊl-əst \

medical Definition of catalyst

: 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