catalyst

5 definitions • 4 examples

something that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly without itself being changed

an event or person that causes great change:

The high suicide rate acted as a catalyst for change in the prison system.

a condition, event, or person that is the cause of an important change

A catalyst is also a substance that causes or speeds a chemical reaction without itself being changed.

someone or something that causes a big change:

the catalyst behind sth The catalyst behind this welcome trend has been the mighty Bill Gates.

catalyst for sth An outside leader is often needed to serve as a catalyst for change.

a catalyst to (do) sth The Government will act as a catalyst to promote creative collaboration between businesses.