catalytic

adjective

cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌka-tə-ˈli-tik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
catalytically adverb

Examples of catalytic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also: Acacia, actual, actually, acuity, attic, cacti, catalytic, catcall, cattail, catty, cilia, cyclic, cyclical, cyclically, icily, illicit, illicitly, italic, lactic, laical, licit, lilac, tacit, tacitly, tactic, tactical, tactically, yucca. New York Times, 3 Sep. 2023 When the battery is charging, a catalytic reaction generates hydrogen gas. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2023 In material science, for example—which approximates solutions of charge transfer processes, photochemical reactions and catalytic reactions—often fails to capture the underlying quantum physics determinative for the material's behavior. Julian Van Velzen, Forbes, 17 July 2023 Additionally, optimizing its catalytic attributes could further push it towards a viable alternative material to use in solar power arrays. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Aug. 2023 Between 2020 and 2023, the DA’s office said, thousands of catalytic converts were taken from vehicles in Bucks County, resulting in costly repairs. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 June 2023 All the collected water is treated through a series of specialized filters and a catalytic reactor that breaks down any trace contaminants. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 26 June 2023 Downtown plan gives removal a boost Milwaukee's new downtown comprehensive plan, proposed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson's Department of City Development, features seven catalytic prospective development sites − including I-794. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 26 June 2023 At a news conference last week, LAPD also highlighted several anti-theft devices, including catalytic cable shields and cages, and car alarms. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catalytic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalytic was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near catalytic

Cite this Entry

“Catalytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalytic. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

catalytic

adjective
cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
the catalytic action of an enzyme

Medical Definition

catalytic

adjective
cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
a catalytic reaction
catalytically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on catalytic

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