catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈka-tə-ˌlīz 

catalyzed; catalyzing

transitive verb

1

: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)

an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of the sugars

2

: bring about, inspire

his vigorous efforts to catalyze us into activity

—Harrison Brown

3

: to alter significantly by or as if by catalysis

innovations in basic chemical theory that have catalyzed the field

—Newsweek

catalyzer noun

Synonyms

• beget
• breed
• bring
• bring about
• bring on
• cause
• create
• do
• draw on
• effect
• effectuate
• engender
• generate
• induce
• invoke
• make
• occasion
• produce
• prompt
• result (in)
• spawn
• translate (into)
• work
• yield

Examples of catalyze in a Sentence

a reinstitution of the draft would catalyze protests around the country

Recent Examples on the Web

The letter catalyzed the Manhattan Project and introduced the atomic age, nuclear warfare and an existential threat to humanity that remains to this day. —New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2024

These substantial tax incentives have catalyzed huge investments in U.S. battery manufacturing and the Argonne National Laboratory now estimates that cell manufacturers here in the United States could supply 10 million new EVs per year by 2030. —Peter Douglas, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024

An underappreciated contribution of the CHIPS Act was catalyzing a shift in funding streams, mindsets, and strategy for workforce development at the agency. —Shalin Jyotishi, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

Can Harris capture Asian America? Harris’ likely ascension to Democratic nominee coincides with an increasingly political Asian America, which was catalyzed by Trump’s presidency and the rise of anti-Asian hate amid the Covid pandemic, Sadhwani said. —Sakshi Venkatraman, NBC News, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see catalysis

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

catalyze

verb

cat·​a·​lyze ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz 

catalyzed; catalyzing

: to bring about or produce by chemical catalysis

Medical Definition

catalyze

transitive verb

cat·​a·​lyze

variants or British catalyse

ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌīz 

catalyzed or British catalysed; catalyzing or British catalysing

: to bring about the catalysis of (a chemical reaction)

catalyzer noun

or British catalyser