catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈka-tə-ləst 

1

: a person or thing that provokes or speeds significant change or action

a catalyst for economic growth

the catalyst behind the decision

Look at passionate young people from any era and you'll find impressive catalysts for change.

—Erin Blakemore

2

: 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

Depending on the catalyst used, the device either splits water to make hydrogen fuel or splits water and CO₂ to create syngas …

—Prachi Patel

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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.

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 on the Web

Brookfield said the loans are expected to act as a catalyst for new nuclear development by helping project owners secure equipment orders earlier than would otherwise be possible. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 June 2026

Traders’ fear isn’t about anything specific, and there wasn’t any obvious catalyst to lead to such enthusiastic selling. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

And in case her fame needs further contextualization, she is attributed as the catalyst behind the worldwide Labubu craze after posting one on Instagram in early 2024. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 23 June 2026

One catalyst is new Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh, who is viewed as taking an early hawkish stance as the Fed eliminates forward guidance and the fed funds futures market prices in greater odds of a rate hike as early as this fall. — Todd Gordon, CNBC, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing catalyst

• co-catalyst

Rhymes for catalyst

• catalysed

Kids Definition

catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈkat-ᵊl-əst 

1

: a substance that changes the rate of a chemical reaction but is itself unchanged at the end of the process

especially : such a substance that speeds up a reaction or enables it to proceed under milder conditions

2

: a person or event that quickly causes change or action

the scandal was a catalyst for reform

Medical Definition

catalyst

noun

cat·​a·​lyst ˈkat-ᵊl-əst 

: 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