You can describe a person or thing that causes a change or event to happen as a catalyst.
I very much hope that this case will prove to be a catalyst for change. [+ for]
He said he saw the bank's role as a catalyst to encourage foreign direct investment.
2. countable noun
In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that causes a chemical reaction to take place more quickly.
catalyst in British English
(ˈkætəlɪst)
noun
1.
a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change
Compare inhibitor (sense 2)
2.
a person or thing that causes a change
catalyst in American English
(ˈkætəˌlɪst)
noun
1.
any substance serving as the agent in catalysis
2.
a person or thing acting as the stimulus in bringing about or hastening a result
Derived forms
catalytic (ˌcataˈlytic) (ˈkætəˈlɪtɪk)
adjective
catalytically (ˌcataˈlytically)
adverb
catalyst in Chemical Engineering
(kætəlɪst)
Word forms: (regular plural) catalysts
noun
(Chemical Engineering: General)
A catalyst is an agent or compound that is added to a process to make a chemical reaction happen more quickly.
The catalyst can increase the reaction rate of the steam and can participate in the secondaryreactions.
The packing can also act as a catalyst to enhance desired chemical transformations.
A catalyst is an agent or compound that is added to a process to make a chemical reaction happenmore quickly.
catalysis, monolith catalyst
Examples of 'catalyst' in a sentence
catalyst
This has proved the catalyst for him to step up and out of his comfort zone.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Any good news from these could provide a catalyst for share price movement this year.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You then add alcohol and various chemical catalysts to make biodiesel.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This exact idea went on to become the catalyst of an entire music culture called hip hop.
The Sun (2009)
This will often be a catalyst for change.
Christianity Today (2000)
Learning to drive proved a catalyst for a relationship.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They must seize this moment and become the catalyst for the new mutation.
George Monbiot THE AGE OF CONSENT (2003)
This model will serve as a catalyst for change.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The election might be a catalyst for change of the sort that the junta had not foreseen.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
His summer holiday provided more than the usual catalyst for change.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Both these initiatives have been a catalyst for culture change throughout the council.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Beauty can inspire hopes and dreams, and can be used as a catalyst for great things.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It may not have been stirring, but it could provide the catalyst for a successful campaign.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Will it prove a catalyst, a precursor to brighter things?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Thus, the guerrillas would prove a catalyst of revolutionary dissolution and the regime would crumble.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.) Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
The Jamaica crisis proved the catalyst for recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The Chilean is confident that it will prove the catalyst to more success.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For many, losing weight can become the catalyst to improvements in their overall health and self-esteem.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She almost makes her illness sound like a positive thing or, at least, a catalyst for positive things.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
catalyst
British English: catalyst NOUN
You can describe a person or thing that causes a change or event to happen as a catalyst.
I very much hope that this case will prove to be a catalyst for change.
American English: catalyst
Brazilian Portuguese: catalisador
Chinese: 催化剂
European Spanish: catalizador
French: catalyseur
German: Katalysator
Italian: catalizzatore
Japanese: きっかけ
Korean: 계기
European Portuguese: catalisador
Latin American Spanish: catalizador
All related terms of 'catalyst'
monolith catalyst
A monolith catalyst is a type of catalyst whose surface is flat .
Ziegler catalyst
any of a group of catalysts, such as titanium trichloride (TiCl 3 ) and aluminium alkyl (Al(CH 3 ) 3 ), that produce stereospecific polymers
oil-catalyst slurry
Oil-catalyst slurry is a heavy aromatic by-product of a refinery's fluid catalytic cracking unit, that forms a small part of global fuel oil supply.
stereospecific catalyst
a catalyst for stereospecific chemical reactions
catalyst-to-oil ratio
The catalyst-to-oil ratio is the amount of a catalyst relative to the amount of oil, which with temperature affects the yield of a process.
catalyst transfer line
A catalyst transfer line is equipment which provides a smooth and constant catalyst flow.
circulating fluidized catalyst
A circulating fluidized catalyst is a catalyst in an FCC process which is continuously circulated between the reactor and the regenerator using air, oil vapors, and steam .