noun

catalysis

kuh-TAL-uh-sis

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Catalysis (noun) means the speeding up of a chemical reaction caused by adding a catalyst. Example: “Catalysis lowers the energy needed for the reaction to take place.”

noun

technical The speeding up of a chemical reaction caused by adding a catalyst.

"Catalysis lowers the energy needed for the reaction to take place."

"Industrial chemists rely on catalysis to make manufacturing processes faster and cheaper."

"The enzyme is responsible for catalysis inside the cell."

How to use catalysis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIt is the chemistry term for making a reaction happen faster by adding something that helps it along.

When to use it

This is a technical chemistry term used in scientific and academic writing.

Memory tip

Catalysis is the process; a catalyst is the substance that causes it.

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Easily confused with

catalyst →

Common pairings

enzyme catalysis rate of catalysis industrial catalysis

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ lowers the energy needed for the reaction to take place.

Etymology

Catalysis comes from the Ancient Greek katalusis, meaning a dissolving or breaking down, itself formed from kata, meaning down, and luo, meaning to loosen. The word can also be read as cata- plus -lysis.

Origin: Ancient Greek

Rhymes for catalysis

analysis dialysis paralysis psychoanalysis

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Frequently asked questions

What is catalysis in chemistry?

It is the process by which a substance, called a catalyst, speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up itself.

Does catalysis change the products of a reaction?

No, it changes how fast the reaction happens, not what the final products are.

Where does the word catalysis come from?

It comes from Ancient Greek, from a word meaning dissolution or breaking down.

What is the meaning of catalysis?

"catalysis" (noun) means the speeding up of a chemical reaction caused by adding a catalyst.