Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense catalyses, present participle catalysing, past tense, past participle catalysedregional note: in AM, use catalyze
1. verb
If something catalyses a thing or a situation, it makes it active.
[formal]
Any unexpected circumstance that arises may catalyze a sudden escalation of violence. [VERB noun]
2. verb
In chemistry, if something catalyses a reaction or event, it causes it to happen.
[technical]
Chemical reactions can be catalyzed by materials with large surface areas. [beVERB-ed]
The wires do not have a large enough surface to catalyse a big explosion. [VERB noun]
catalyse in British English
or US catalyze (ˈkætəˌlaɪz)
verb
(transitive)
to influence (a chemical reaction) by catalysis
Derived forms
catalyser (ˈcataˌlyser) or US catalyzer (ˈcataˌlyzer)