In chemistry, a catalytic substance or a substance with catalytic properties is a substance which increases the speed of a chemical reaction.
...carbon molecules with unusual chemical and catalytic properties.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a person or thing as having a catalytic effect, you mean that they cause things to happen or they increase the speed at which things happen.
[formal]
Governments do, however, have a vital catalytic role in orchestrating rescue operations.
catalytic in British English
(ˌkætəˈlɪtɪk) or catalytical (ˌkætəˈlɪtɪkəl)
adjective
of or relating to catalysis; involving a catalyst
Derived forms
catalytically (ˌcataˈlytically)
adverb
Examples of 'catalytic' in a sentence
catalytic
We have a tiny percentage of the national budget but we can have a catalytic effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The first fiscal policy report could have a similar catalytic effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Sometimes other elements of equipment or format have a catalytic effect on popularity.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And doing so has had important catalytic effects.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is known as a catalytic process inducing a chain reaction.
Fisher, David E. Fire and Ice - the Greenhouse Effect, Ozone Depletion, and Nuclear Winter (1990)
But appealing over the heads of oppressive regimes in support of their captive populations can have a powerful catalytic effect.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This absorption took place by distinct stages, with elections playing a catalytic role.
Wright, Vincent The Government and Politics of France (1989)
In other languages
catalytic
British English: catalytic ADJECTIVE
In chemistry, a catalytic substance or a substance with catalytic properties is a substance which increases the speed of a chemical reaction.
...carbon molecules with unusual chemical and catalytic properties.
American English: catalytic
Brazilian Portuguese: catalítico
Chinese: 催化的
European Spanish: catalítico
French: catalytique
German: katalytisch
Italian: catalitico
Japanese: 触媒の
Korean: 촉매 작용의
European Portuguese: catalítico
Latin American Spanish: catalítico
All related terms of 'catalytic'
catalytic cracker
a unit in an oil refinery in which mineral oils with high boiling points are converted to fuels with lower boiling points by a catalytic process
catalytic cracking
a method used in the petroleum industry for the cracking of petroleum by catalysis
catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device which is fitted to a car's exhaust to reduce the pollution coming from it.
catalytic reforming
Catalytic reforming is a process that converts petroleum refinery naphthas to high-octane blending components.
catcon
a device using three-way catalysts to reduce the obnoxious and poisonous components of the products of combustion (mainly oxides of nitrogen , carbon monoxide , and unburnt hydrocarbons ) from the exhausts of motor vehicles
cat cracker
a unit in an oil refinery in which mineral oils with high boiling points are converted to fuels with lower boiling points by a catalytic process
FCC
Federal Communications Commission
DCC technology
DCC technology uses a catalytic process to convert heavy hydrocarbons into light olefins.
FCC propylene production
FCC propylene production is the production of propylene from a catalytic cracker .