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
Palladium is a chemical element used in catalytic converters, which converts 90 percent of harmful emissions from car exhaust.
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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
When a car pulls over on the side of the road, a hot catalytic converter or overheated brakes can touch dry vegetation and spark a wildfire.
—Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
That stop came during a nationwide surge of thefts in catalytic converters, which are part of the exhaust systems of automobiles, and which contain precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 July 2025
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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
When a car pulls over on the side of the road, a hot catalytic converter or overheated brakes can touch dry vegetation and spark a wildfire.
—Emilie Takahashi, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2025
That stop came during a nationwide surge of thefts in catalytic converters, which are part of the exhaust systems of automobiles, and which contain precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
—Dan Mangan, CNBC, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for catalytic converter
Cite this Entry
“Catalytic converter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalytic%20converter. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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