catalyst

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noun cat·a·lyst \ ˈka-tə-ləst \

Updated on: 26 Jul 2017

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

Our negative emotions can act as catalysts and adrenaline boosts — nervousness in the face of a closing deadline, for instance, might help push you to finish your task on time.

— cody delistraty, The Cut, "You’ll Be Happier If You Let Yourself Feel Bad," 28 Aug. 2017
This molecule, called a carbon chain anion, appears to be a catalyst for complicated chemical reactions, said lead author Ravi Desai.

— sarah kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Saturn moon contains some essential ingredients for life," 8 Aug. 2017
The catalyst for Hello Neighbor was last Thanksgiving, when Davidson stumbled onto an Airbnb program that was matching American families with refugee families for Thanksgiving dinner.

— shay maunz, Glamour, "Meet the Woman Playing 'Friendship Matchmaker' for Refugees and Americans," 1 Aug. 2017
This right has molded the history of our country, serving as one of many catalysts for the American Revolution and firmly cementing its place in the supreme law of the land - the Constitution.

— Cincinnati.com, "Column: The importance of jury service," 19 July 2017
Signed by Stoke in 2013 for just £2m, Arnautović was a catalyst to transform the way football was played at the bet365 Stadium.

— SI.com, "Marko Arnautović Transfer Edges Closer as West Ham Agree Club-Record Fee With Stoke," 19 July 2017
Likewise, unburned hydrocarbon and CO emissions are handled by technologies like lean combustion and oxidation catalysts in cars with functioning emissions control systems.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "A diesel emissions test you can’t game? We try it out," 14 July 2017
Gretchen Sipp, education and youth programming chairperson for Miller Neighborhood Spotlight, said the group focuses on addressing several concerns thoroughout the community and serving as a catalyst to create change throughout the city.

— javonte anderson, Post-Tribune, "Local group makes strides in Miller," 11 July 2017
Haley Wynn, soph., Whitnall: The Falcons third baseman was the catalyst for a team that reached the sectional final in Division 2.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "All-area softball: Trask led Oak Creek to SEC title, state tournament berth," 4 July 2017

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

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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

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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