noun

catalyst

KAT-ih-lihst

noun

In chemistry, a substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up itself.

"A small amount of catalyst dramatically sped up the reaction."

A person or event that triggers significant change.

"The scandal became the catalyst for major reforms in the industry."

"Losing his job turned out to be the catalyst for a career change."

How to Use Catalyst

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that sets a bigger process or change into motion, whether in a chemical reaction or in life.

Common pairings

a catalyst for change act as a catalyst

catalysts plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

A small amount of _____ dramatically sped up the reaction.

From catalysis plus the agent suffix -ist, ultimately from Ancient Greek katalyein, "to dissolve or break down."

analyst psychoanalyst