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 Using a process called catalytic conversion, Scott shows us innovative ways to make our planet healthier. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2024 The clear vision, comfort – even obsession with – change, catalytic action, and fearless approach of Game Changers are necessary ingredients for transformation. Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Relying on catalytic combustion or integrating small batteries could also vastly increase the robots’ utility and range of use. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Jan. 2024 All those steps require resources, including catalytic metals and energy to power machinery. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 5 May 2023 John’s work was fully realized, confident, catalytic, consummate. BostonGlobe.com, 5 May 2023 Accounting for almost half the world’s people and nearly two-thirds of its GDP, APEC can play a catalytic role in promoting sustainability, sharing lessons learned at the local level, and preparing for more cooperative responses to disasters. Suzanne Vares-Lum, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2023 An encounter at the Green Gallery on West 57th Street with the artist Ralph Humphrey’s frame paintings, enigmatic, vacant compositions that seemed to mock the whole idea of painting, was catalytic. Max Lakin, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023 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

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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