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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The Metal Underneath Every American Car Palladium is a platinum-group metal used mainly in catalytic converters. Matt Emma, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 Most of their efforts focused on improving the catalytic converter, made more plausible when Engelhard determined that catalytic converters wouldn’t corrode with unleaded gasoline. Ann E. Carlson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026 Matt Lepperd, an auto shop owner and village board trustee from Eagle in Waukesha County, said his customers often pay up to $1,500 for a catalytic converter to reach compliance, forgoing other repairs like brakes or tires if their budget runs out. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 30 Mar. 2026 But about 20 years later, Houdry read about Haagy’s discovery of the cause-effect between cars and smog, and turned his talent to inventing a catalytic converter process, essentially undoing his catalytic cracker and scrubbing pollution from gasoline. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026 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 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

catalytic converter

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

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