catalytic

adjective

cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌka-tə-ˈli-tik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
catalytically adverb

Examples of catalytic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ten years ago, the U.S. partnered with promising Syrians, offering catalytic aid and adapting to a fragile environment. Brandon Hoffman, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2025 Moving into growth stages, the challenge often shifts to accessing catalytic capital or micro-VCs, which typically require navigating complex due diligence and trust-building processes. Pierrick Bouffaron, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Manager Sandro Schwarz and catalytic attacker Emil Forsberg are in their first seasons at the club. Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 In this case, the soil itself acts as the electrolyte—as well as source of the catalytic microbes, and as the source of the fuel. IEEE Spectrum, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for catalytic 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalytic was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near catalytic

Cite this Entry

“Catalytic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalytic. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

catalytic

adjective
cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
the catalytic action of an enzyme

Medical Definition

catalytic

adjective
cat·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌkat-ᵊl-ˈit-ik How to pronounce catalytic (audio)
: causing, involving, or relating to catalysis
a catalytic reaction
catalytically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on catalytic

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