Catalyst Meaning
/ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
nounSomething that encourages progress or change.
Sentence Examples
It would be difficult to improve the device without an effective catalyst.
First, I'd like to examine the catalyst used in this experiment.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new enzyme acted as a ____ to speed up the chemical reaction significantly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new manager acted as a ____ for positive change in the company.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English catalysis Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Hellenic *-tās Ancient Greek -τής (-tḗs) Ancient Greek -ῐστής (-ĭstḗs)bor. Latin -istader. Old French -istebor. Middle English -ist English -ist English catalyst From catalysis + -ist.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations."
— 1988, Lubert Stryer, Biochemistry, 3rd edition, page 177:
"It was a morning baptized by my first cup of coffee, freshly brewed over a gravel-bar fire, while they celebrated with the stronger catalyst of sour-mash whiskey in their fishing-vest cups."
— 1978, Ernest George Schwiebert, Trout, volume 2:
"Israel's fear for the reactor—rather than Egypt's of it—was the greater catalyst for war."
— 2004, Michael B. Oren, Six Days of War: June 1967 and the making of the modern Middle East, page 76:
"He [countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo] also enjoys being the catalyst whereby opera fertilises other art forms: recently, he's collaborated with Japanese kabuki actors, and a project with dancers from New York City Ballet is in the offing."
— 2014 August 8, Rupert Christiansen, “The truth about falsettos [print version: 12 August 2014, p. R8]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review):
"The catalyst was the introduction of the Health & Safety at Work Act in 1974. While it applied to all workplaces, it gradually brought about a sea change in the attitude towards death and injury. Accidents were no longer accepted as 'inevitable'."
— 2022 January 26, John Crosse, “When the tide turned to a safer railway...”, in RAIL, number 949, page 53:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The new enzyme acted as a ____ to speed up the chemical reaction significantly.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The new manager acted as a ____ for positive change in the company.