catalyze — to cause or accelerate a reaction or process by acting as a catalyst
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to cause or accelerate a reaction or process by acting as a catalyst
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkætəlaɪz/
Example Sentences
- The free pizza offer catalyzed a stampede of hungry college students.
- Technology can catalyze educational reform worldwide.
- His terrible cooking catalyzed his wife's decision to take over kitchen duties.
catalyze
VERB[/ˈkætəlaɪz/]
to cause or accelerate a reaction or process by acting as a catalyst
a scientist carefully drops a small amount of enzyme powder into a large glass beaker filled with clear liquid. The moment the powder touches the liquid, bubbles immediately start forming rapidly throughout the solution. The previously still liquid now fizzes and churns with active chemical reactions happening much faster than before. A lab assistant nearby watches with excitement as the reaction accelerates dramatically. The glass beaker fills with energetic bubbling that wasn't happening before the enzyme was added. how adding a catalyst causes and accelerates a reaction process
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek 'katalysis' meaning 'dissolution' or 'breaking down.' Originally a chemistry term describing how a catalyst speeds up chemical reactions, it expanded to mean 'to trigger or accelerate any kind of change.'
Breakdown
kata- (down, thoroughly) + lysis (loosening, dissolution) + -ize (verb suffix meaning 'to cause')
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The free pizza offer catalyzed a stampede of hungry college students.”
“Technology can catalyze educational reform worldwide.”
“His terrible cooking catalyzed his wife's decision to take over kitchen duties.”
“The crisis catalyzed unprecedented international cooperation.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.