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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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 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

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 10 Sep. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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