catalytic converter

noun

: an automobile exhaust-system component containing a catalyst that causes conversion of harmful gases (such as carbon monoxide and uncombusted hydrocarbons) into mostly harmless products (such as water and carbon dioxide)

Examples of catalytic converter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Lots of fly-by-night import shops sprang up, happy to rubber-stamp any Mercedes with a catalytic converter haphazardly welded under the floorboards. Raphael Orlove, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2025 The research vessel will also be equipped with a catalytic converter for exhaust gas aftertreatment. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2025 Palladium is a chemical element used in catalytic converters, which converts 90 percent of harmful emissions from car exhaust. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 21 Aug. 2025 Michigan City Area Schools had to scramble to keep kids learning on Tuesday and Wednesday after thieves swiped more than 20 catalytic converters from the district’s bus yard. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catalytic converter

Word History

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalytic converter was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Catalytic converter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalytic%20converter. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

catalytic converter

noun
: a device containing a catalyst for changing automobile exhaust into mostly harmless products

More from Merriam-Webster on catalytic converter

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