catalyst
/'kætəlist/
Definition
- Noun:
- An agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action: A catalyst is a person, event, or thing that causes an important change or event to happen more quickly.
- (Chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process: In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that initiates or accelerates a reaction while itself remaining unchanged at the end.
Examples of Usage
- General Meaning:
- The new policy served as a catalyst for economic reform.
- Her speech was the catalyst that inspired the community to take action.
- Chemistry Meaning:
- Platinum is often used as a catalyst in catalytic converters.
- Enzymes act as biological catalysts in the human body.
Advanced Usage
- "to act as a catalyst for": to be the primary cause or agent that starts a process of change.
- The scandal acted as a catalyst for a complete overhaul of the company's ethics policies.
- Catalytic role: describing the function of enabling or accelerating a process.
- The manager played a catalytic role in fostering innovation within the team.
Variants and Related Words
- Catalyze (verb): To cause or accelerate a change or reaction.
- The invention of the internet catalyzed a global communication revolution.
- Catalytic (adjective): Causing or relating to catalysis; acting as a catalyst.
- The agreement had a catalytic effect on regional cooperation.
- Catalysis (noun): The process or action of causing or accelerating a chemical reaction by a catalyst.
- The reaction proceeds via acid catalysis.
Synonyms
- General: Stimulus, impetus, spark, trigger, accelerant.
- Chemistry: Accelerator, enzyme (in biochemistry).
Antonyms
- General: Inhibitor, hindrance, obstacle, barrier.
- Chemistry: Inhibitor (a substance that slows down or prevents a chemical reaction).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- A catalyst for change: A common phrase emphasizing the role in initiating transformation.
- The financial crisis was a catalyst for change in banking regulations.
Noun
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something that causes an important event to happen
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the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country
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(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
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