What does catalyse mean?
Catalyse means to speed up a chemical reaction by means of a catalyst, a substance that accelerates the process without itself being used up. In chemistry and biochemistry it describes how agents such as platinum or digestive enzymes enable reactions that would otherwise occur far too slowly. Beyond the laboratory, the word has taken on a vivid figurative meaning: to spark or drive forward a major change, as when a crisis catalyses political reform or a visionary leader catalyses cultural transformation. This extended use gives the word energy and urgency, making it popular in journalism, science communication, and motivational writing. British English spells it 'catalyse' while American English prefers 'catalyze', but the pronunciation and meaning are identical. Related terms include catalyst (the agent), catalysis (the process), and catalytic (describing something that speeds up change). Whether describing molecules or movements, catalyse captures the idea of an efficient force that sets powerful processes in motion without being diminished by them.
verbTo cause or accelerate a chemical reaction by the action of a catalyst, without being consumed in the process. More broadly, to bring about or speed up a significant change or event.
- (Chemistry) To accelerate a chemical reaction through the action of a catalyst.
- (Figurative) To bring about or precipitate a major change, event, or process.
"The enzyme amylase helps to catalyse the breakdown of starch into sugars."
"Platinum is widely used in car exhaust systems because it can catalyse the conversion of harmful gases into less toxic substances."
"Her impassioned speech served to catalyse public support for the environmental campaign."
Every time you digest food, enzymes in your body catalyse thousands of reactions — and unlike other reactants, they come out completely unscathed, ready to do it all again.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of catalyse
The word derives from the Greek 'katalyein', meaning 'to dissolve' or 'to loosen down', formed from 'kata-' (down) and 'lyein' (to loosen). It entered scientific usage in the nineteenth century alongside 'catalysis', coined around 1835 by the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius to describe the accelerating effect certain substances exert on reactions. The same Greek root 'lyein' gives us related words such as analysis, dialysis, and electrolysis, all of which involve breaking something apart.
Related word forms
How catalyse is actually used
The spelling 'catalyse' is standard in British English; American English typically uses 'catalyze'. The word is common in scientific writing but its figurative sense — speeding up social or political change — appears frequently in journalism and business language, often carrying a positive connotation of productive momentum.
Easily confused with catalyse
Catalyze is simply the standard American spelling of the same word, while catalyse follows British spelling conventions.