catalyst
/ˈkæt.ɪ.lɪst/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: catalysts
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Noun
Examples
Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Something that encourages progress or change.
Noun
Examples
(obsolete)
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “catalyst” mean?
A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.
Is “catalyst” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.