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If your novel is a calm ocean, the catalyst is the vengeful sea wraith exploding from the watery depths. It's an unexpected event that stirs the serene waters and propels your protagonist into the heart of the story. The catalyst, also known as the inciting incident, typically lands in Act One, accounting for around 5% of your novel's word count. So, let's consider what you need to know about crafting a compelling catalyst.
Laying the groundwork for the inciting incident
Before we meet the vengeful sea wraith, we need to know what's at stake for our protagonist. In other words, establish something valuable to your protagonist that the inciting incident will threaten. Is it their peaceful existence? Their hidden treasure? Their dominion over the sea? This is why they'll be compelled to react to the inciting incident.
Building up your protagonist
While we're here, let's take a moment to enhance our protagonist's allure. Develop their character depth, demonstrate their intelligence, and show their benevolent side. This could be their protective nature over the marine life, their wise understanding of the sea's mysteries, or their secret love of star-gazing. The more intriguing your protagonist, the more we'll root for them when the inciting incident occurs.
Dropping hints of the incoming catalyst
Just as the sea's currents might subtly change before a storm, start showing signs that the inciting incident is coming. It could be subtle clues or a growing sense of unease. The aim is to create a sense of anticipation and tension.
Introducing the inciting incident
And now, the moment we've all been waiting for: the inciting incident. This event drives your protagonist out of their comfort zone, whether it's the emergence of the sea wraith, a shift in their environment, or a personal loss. It must be a problem that won't resolve itself, demanding direct intervention from your protagonist.
Grabbing your reader's attention
Finally, make sure your inciting incident is gripping. It's the moment your readers should feel so invested in your protagonist's journey that they wouldn't dream of putting your book down. Your readers should already be intrigued by your protagonist, and this is the moment that cements their desire to see them prevail.
Setting sail on the journey
The catalyst of your novel is like the gust of wind that fills a ship's sails. It sets the vessel in motion for the journey ahead. It's the event that propels your protagonist – and your readers – into the heart of your story. So make sure it's a catalyst worth writing about because your ship is anchored in the harbour without it. Happy writing!
💡 Read more about the universal flow of a story from set-up to finale .
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Last updated on Oct 08, 2021
The Inciting Incident: Definition, Examples & Writing Tips
The inciting incident is the event that ignites the story's plot and starts the protagonist's transformative journey. Typically, it serves as a catalyst in the protagonist's ordinary life and introduces conflict they must confront.
There’s a great deal of uncertainty surrounding inciting incidents — specifically, how they work within the context of a full story shape . So without further ado, here’s your all-inclusive guide to the elusive inciting incident: what it is, how it’s used, and tips on constructing your own.
3 Inciting Incidence Myths
That being said, there are a few very common misconceptions surrounding inciting incidents — so let’s do a bit of mythbusting.
Myth #1: The inciting incident is always the first thing to happen.
You’ll recognize the inciting incident as the event that triggers the primary action, rather than simply the first event to occur. There may be some backstory or buildup before this, such as a conversation or scene leading up to it — but that doesn’t change its role in the story!
Myth #2: The inciting incident is exactly the same as the “hook.”
The hook is a dramatic description or opening scene that first catches the reader’s attention. The inciting incident catalyzes the plot and solidifies that attention. Sometimes they overlap, but the incident tends to require more exposition than a hook — so don’t start thinking they’re synonymous.
Myth #3: The inciting incident raises more questions than it answers .
As a matter of fact, the inciting incident usually involves some kind of newfound clarity or realization for the main character. It does create some questions, but its main purpose is to give the main character a distinctive path to follow , rather than muddling it.
Some of these ambiguities can definitely be confusing. Fortunately, we have plenty of examples on hand to show what we’re talking about. Here are five famous inciting incidents to illustrate how they function in a story.
Inciting Incident Examples
1. hagrid telling harry he’s a wizard.
"Harry — yer a wizard." "A what?" gasped Harry. "A wizard, o' course," said Hagrid, sitting back down on the sofa, which groaned and sank even lower, "an' a thumpin' good'un, I'd say, once yeh've been trained up a bit.” — Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, p. 39
One of the most famed catalysts (and indeed best moments) in all of literature is Hagrid revealing to Harry Potter that he’s a wizard. Suddenly, all the strange occurrences leading up to this scene make sense: Harry somehow getting up onto his school roof, making the glass disappear at the zoo, and of course, his uncle’s refusal to let him read any of his letters.
This incident perfectly exemplifies the features outlined above: it completely absorbs the reader, sets the main plot in motion , and involves a pretty major revelation for Harry. While some might argue that elements of the buildup — such as Harry receiving his first letter — could be called “inciting incidents,” this is the scene where Harry truly begins his journey.
2. Lucy’s discovery of Narnia
“This must be a simply enormous wardrobe!” thought Lucy, going still further in and pushing the soft folds of the coats aside to make room for her. Then she noticed that there was something crunching under her feet … A moment later she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at night-time, with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air. — The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, p. 4
Lucy’s unearthing of another world behind all the fur coats is a classic inciting incident. Launches story? Engages reader? Huge revelation? Check. Check. And triple check.
It also takes place almost immediately, rather than after a few chapters of exposition and background information for context . So if you want your readers to be immersed in plot very quickly, consider taking a page out of C.S. Lewis’ book (literally).
3. Katniss volunteering for the Hunger Games
“Prim!” I don’t need to shove through the crowd. The other kids make way, immediately allowing me a straight path to the stage. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. “I volunteer as tribute!” I gasp. — The Hunger Games, p. 22
While many inciting incidents are life-changing in a positive or exciting way, they can also be the opposite. Indeed, negative incidents are often more dramatic and reader-enticing. (See also: characters getting sick, dying, or simply disappearing, as in our next example.)
Katniss taking her sister’s place in the Hunger Games is one such negative incident. However, this heightening of stakes gets the ball rolling on plot, making readers eager to know what will happen next. Also, though her sacrifice for Prim isn’t exactly a revelation, it does serve a narrative purpose — making us root for Katniss and become even more invested in her fate.
4. Amy’s disappearance in Gone Girl
She wasn’t on the water, she wasn’t in the house. Amy was not there. Amy was gone. — Gone Girl, p. 23
This is one inciting incident that might raise more questions than it answers, but it nevertheless sets Amy’s husband Nick on a firm quest. Of course, as the novel continues and we find out that he may be a less-than-reliable narrator , we can’t be sure if this quest is to find out what happened to his wife orto conceal what he may have done to her…
Either way, Amy’s disappearance is a definite incitement. After Nick realizes she’s gone, the whole town gets involved in the case, and the reader becomes desperate to know what’s become of her — even if it is something dreadful.
5. Nick meeting Gatsby at his house party
“This is an unusual party for me. I haven’t even seen the host. I live over there — ” I waved my hand at the invisible hedge in the distance, “and this man Gatsby sent over his chauffeur with an invitation.” For a moment he looked at me as if he failed to understand. “I’m Gatsby,” he said suddenly. — The Great Gatsby, p. 52
It may be somewhat difficult to recognize this as an inciting incident, since it doesn’t take place until a quarter of the way through The Great Gatsby . However, there can be no doubt that everything until this point has been backstory and buildup; after all, the central plot cannot begin without the titular character.
Fitzgerald uses plenty of pre-development to his benefit here, fleshing out the characters of Daisy, Tom, and Myrtle long before Gatsby takes the stage in Nick’s story. This means that, when they finally meet at last, curiosity about Gatsby has reached fever pitch — and once he arrives on the scene, the reader is inexorably intrigued.
4 Tips on How to Write a Strong Inciting Incident
Now that you’ve seen a few examples, you should be just about ready to write an incitement of your own! But in case you’re still feeling hesitant, here are some tips to get you going.
1. Make the scene exciting or dramatic
Your inciting incident will be exciting just by virtue of it changing your protagonist’s life. However, you should use your writing to enhance that drama, making it clear that this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Not only does it launch the plot, but it also represents a jumping-off point for the main character's journey .
In the scene leading up to the incident, try shortening your sentences and using more active verbs to create a sense of urgency. You can also dramatize the scenery itself — as in Harry Potter when Hagrid bursts through the door, thunder rolling behind him. Also, if there are other people present, use dialogue to demonstrate how groundbreaking this is: have characters responding with shock or awe, mirroring what should be your reader’s reaction.
2. Involve some external force
This ties into making the scene more dramatic — inciting incidents tend to have a stronger effect when what happens to the main character is unexpected or out of their control. So as you’re writing yours, try to use external forces to your advantage.
Besides the examples above, a perfect instance of this is the beginning of The Wizard of Oz . Dorothy’s house is carried off by a tornado — a literal force of nature — landing her in Oz. This gives her a clear new mission to return home, and compels her to travel to the Emerald City.
Not every story can start with a major weather event, but there are plenty of other external forces to choose from: mystical prophecies, dystopian governments, or even just your protag’s mom kicking them out of the house. As long as it taps into your character's goals and motivations and sets them on a new path (yellow brick or not), it should get the job done.
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3. Place it early to engage readers
As we discussed, the inciting incident isn’t just important for your characters, but for your readers too. It alerts them to what the story will be about, and gives them a rough idea of where the plot is headed.
That means you should place the inciting incident early in the story, ideally within the first 20-30 pages if it’s a novel. Yes, some occur later, like the Great Gatsby example — but this is the exception, not the rule. Wait too long to drop your inciting incident, and readers will become frustrated and lose interest! After it happens, you can structure your story in any number of ways — but you need that early incident to get the audience hook, line, and sinker.
4. Connect to your story’s themes
Every story has a theme — a universal concept or message that underscores the narrative. And the inciting incident should reflect that theme in one way or another, even if only very subtly.
Think about the inciting incident in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies: a wartime evacuation results in a plane crash, and a group of young boys become stranded on an island. This leads them to create their own makeshift society, which quickly crumbles into violence — the same sort of violence that caused the war they were trying to escape in the first place.
Drawing parallels between your incident and the climactic point of your story can be especially powerful. To return to another previous example, in The Hunger Games , Katniss’ sacrifice for her sister clues readers into her later sacrifice for Peeta with the nightlock berries. Even though the Capitol stops them, this scene still evokes emotions from the scene with Prim, reminding us how Katniss is willing to do anything for those she loves.
All this might be a lot to take in — just remember that at the end of the day, the only absolutely, 100% necessary quality of an inciting incident is that your story has one. Hopefully, this guide has given you some pointers on what it should do, how to structure it, and which elements can make it more effective.
But the nature of your inciting incident is really up to you — just write the scene that your story requires. You’ll likely find it comes easier than you think.
What's the inciting incident in your story? Share it with us in the comments!
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[ kat -l-ist ]
- Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.
- something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected.
His imprisonment by the government served as the catalyst that helped transform social unrest into revolution.
- a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic.
/ ˈkætəlɪst /
- a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical change Compare inhibitor
- a person or thing that causes a change
/ kăt ′ l-ĭst /
- A substance that starts or speeds up a chemical reaction while undergoing no permanent change itself. The enzymes in saliva, for example, are catalysts in digestion.
- In chemistry , a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.
Other Words From
- self-cata·lyst noun
- semi·cata·lyst noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of catalyst 1
Example Sentences
South Africa provides 84% of the platinum group metals needed for fuel cells and automotive catalysts.
That time spent in Ghana and across West and sub-Saharan Africa became my catalyst for starting Tala, and I regularly encourage my team members to take on a “figure it out!”
Floyd’s death was the catalyst for this year’s earlier protests, and Blake’s shooting reignited the demonstrations.
So, more than anything, the endorsement was a catalyst for us to actually say let’s do something, we don’t have to sit around and wait on what are we going to do, endorse or not endorse.
Brittney Sykes is a defensive catalyst for the Sparks and dramatically improved her efficiency from two.
But the copper performs another important function: working as a catalyst in the distillation process.
Brunch is a catalyst, brunch is the enforcer of different-rules-for-the-weekend.
We are proud that our film could be a catalyst for even a small change in the ways these boys are treated in China.
Other non-design services, like Adobe Business Catalyst, which hosts email fundraising campaigns and e-commerce, also went down.
And that question is the catalyst for all the ambiguity throughout the film.
This simple act may have been the catalyst which gave Burl the solution to the problem.
We may, then, compare the catalyst to what is known as "a good mixer" in society.
The tactful hostess, the salon leader, is a social catalyst.
When hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with a catalyst, such as permanganate of potash, it breaks down into oxygen and water.
The catalyst which was necessary for the final reaction would be brought to him by Polter.
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catalyst noun
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What does the noun catalyst mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun catalyst . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the noun catalyst ?
| 1900 | 0.62 |
| 1910 | 1.4 |
| 1920 | 2.9 |
| 1930 | 5.8 |
| 1940 | 7.1 |
| 1950 | 7.9 |
| 1960 | 7.4 |
| 1970 | 8.4 |
| 1980 | 9.2 |
| 1990 | 9.3 |
| 2000 | 8.8 |
| 2010 | 8.5 |
How is the noun catalyst pronounced?
British english, u.s. english, where does the noun catalyst come from.
Earliest known use
The earliest known use of the noun catalyst is in the 1900s.
OED's earliest evidence for catalyst is from 1902, in Nature: a weekly journal of science .
catalyst is formed within English, by derivation.
Etymons: cata- prefix , analyst n.
Nearby entries
- cataloguize, v. 1609–
- Catalonian, adj. & n. 1707–
- catalpa, n. 1731–
- catalpic, adj. 1885–
- catalpin, n. 1888–
- catalysator, n. 1893–
- catalyse, v. 1890–
- catalysis, n. 1655–
- catalysor, n. 1901–
- catalysotype, n. 1853–
- catalyst, n. 1902–
- catalytic, adj. & n. 1836–
- catalytical, adj. 1889–
- catalytically, adv. 1845–
- catalytic converter, n. 1955–
- catalytic cracker, n. 1951–
- catalytic cracking, n. 1927–
- catamaran, n. 1697–
- catamaran, v. 1820–
- catamenia, n. 1764–
- catamenial, adj. 1851–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for catalyst, n..
catalyst, n. was first published in 1933; not yet revised.
catalyst, n. was last modified in July 2023.
Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:
- corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
- new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.
Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into catalyst, n. in July 2023.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
A Supplement to the New English Dictionary (1933)
- Find out more
OED Second Edition (1989)
- View catalyst in OED Second Edition
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Citation details
Factsheet for catalyst, n., browse entry.
 "literary definition catalyst"){kind=logo}
How To Use Catalyst In A Sentence
Published May 3, 2021. Updated March 15, 2023.
This helpful guide will show you how to use catalyst in a sentence. It will show you the definition of catalyst , as well as synonyms, antonyms, and the type of connotation that the word can carry.
Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing grammar check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.
Usage for catalyst
Definition: a substance, person, or event that ignites or accelerates activity or change
Part of speech: noun
Antonyms: hindrance; obstacle; blockage
Synonyms: stimulant; impetus; incentive
Here are but a few sample sentences of the word in action!
- The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the catalyst that would eventually lead to World War I.
- I think hearing “When the Ship Comes In” by Bob Dylan was the catalyst that made me fall in love with folk music.
- Who knew that the Iron Man movie would be the catalyst to launch comic books into the mainstream?
- I’m sorry, but we can’t have an affair. I will not be the catalyst for your divorce.
- A well-structured movie requires an original catalyst , an inciting incident that puts the entire plot into motion.
- I think it was attending that packed concert on Saturday that was the catalyst for my getting even sicker.
- The catalyst for our candidate’s victory was definitely her endorsement by the sitting president. Without that, I don’t think she would’ve stood a chance.
- Closing that Henderson deal was just the catalyst I needed to finally get the promotion.
- You can’t just wait and hope some magical catalyst will jumpstart your career! You have to go out there and make it happen for yourself.
- The catalyst for Leonardo DiCaprio’s famed career was definitely when he starred in the blockbuster hit Titanic .
- Visiting Yosemite National Park for the first time was the catalyst I needed to finally take that cross-country road trip.
- It looks like the fire started in the kitchen. A frayed wire was the catalyst that started it all.
- You have to go to college! I believe that it’s the catalyst that turns children into adults.
- Anthony always serves as our catalyst for a fun night out. Before he shows up it’s rather dull.
- Before I saw the movie Scoop , I actually loved Scarlett Johansson. But that was the catalyst for my love turning to hatred.
Visit these additional guides to see specific word usage in different example sentences.
Use X in a Sentence
- Camaraderie
- Constitutional
- Indigenous People
- Introspection
- Perfunctory
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- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Derived terms
- 1.3.2 Translations
- 1.4 See also
From catalysis + -ist .
Pronunciation
- ( UK ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈkæt.əl.ɪst/
- ( US ) IPA ( key ) : /ˈkæt.ə.lɪst/
| Audio ( ): | ( ) |
catalyst ( plural catalysts )
- 1988 , Lubert Stryer , Biochemistry , 3rd edition, page 177 : Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations.
- 1978 , Ernest George Schwiebert, Trout , volume 2: It was a morning baptized by my first cup of coffee, freshly brewed over a gravel-bar fire, while they celebrated with the stronger catalyst of sour-mash whiskey in their fishing-vest cups.
- 2004 , Michael B. Oren, Six Days of War: June 1967 and the making of the modern Middle East , page 76 : Israel's fear for the reactor—rather than Egypt's of it—was the greater catalyst for war.
- 2006 , The Freedom Writers, with Erin Gruwell, The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change Themselves and the World Around Them , Diary 74 Rosa Parks was a true catalyst for change and she was only one person. Hearing about Rosa Parks and her protest showed me that there is hope for me and all the students in Ms. G's classes to truly be catalysts for change.
- 2014 August 8, Rupert Christiansen , “The truth about falsettos [print version: 12 August 2014, p. R8]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Review) [1] : He [countertenor Anthony Roth Constanzo] also enjoys being the catalyst whereby opera fertilises other art forms: recently, he's collaborated with Japanese kabuki actors, and a project with dancers from New York City Ballet is in the offing.
- 2022 January 26, John Crosse, “When the tide turned to a safer railway...”, in RAIL , number 949 , page 53 : The catalyst was the introduction of the Health & Safety at Work Act in 1974. While it applied to all workplaces, it gradually brought about a sea change in the attitude towards death and injury. Accidents were no longer accepted as 'inevitable'.
- 2023 December 11, Rory Hearne, “Ireland’s housing crisis is a disaster for its people – and a gift to far-right fearmongers”, in The Guardian [2] , →ISSN : The housing crisis is now a “ catalyst ” for anti-immigrant sentiment, an Irish parliamentary committee warned in November.
- 2023 May 31, Tammy Samuel, Fergus McLaverty, “The political picture: what lies ahead for Britain's railways?”, in RAIL , number 984 , page 31 : The current view by both Labour and Conservative politicians is that the state of the UK railway is unsustainable, and the pandemic acted as a catalyst in exposing its weaknesses.
- ( automotive ) A catalytic converter .
- ( fantasy ) An object that facilitates the casting of a spell (such as a magic wand ).
Derived terms
- Adams's catalyst
- catalyse , catalyze
- Grubbs' catalyst
- Lindlar catalyst
- phase-transfer catalyst
- stereospecific catalyst
- triphase catalyst
- Vandenberg catalyst
- Ziegler catalyst
- Ziegler-Natta catalyst
Translations
| (ḥaffāz) (katalizator) (katalizátar) (katalizátor) ／ (chùméi), ／ (cuīhuàjì) (ḳaṭalizaṭori) (katalýtis) (uddīpak) (utprerak) , , (しょくばい, shokubai) (örşıtkı) (chongmae) (katalizator) , , (kâtâlizgar) (katalizátor) (katalizator) (qatalizator) (utprērakaṁ) , , (katalizátor) |
| (katalizátar) (katalizátor) , , , , , , , (katalýtis) (katalizátor) , , , , , (katalizátor) |
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Meaning of catalyst in English
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- amphiprotic
- balanced equation
- chemical equation
- electrolyte
- endocrine disruptor
- endothermic
- epitaxially
- latent heat
- nonchemical
- nonelectrolyte
- nonreactive
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
catalyst | American Dictionary
Catalyst | business english, examples of catalyst, translations of catalyst.
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Word of the Day
an expression of surprise or feeling sorry about a mistake or slight accident
Fakes and forgeries (Things that are not what they seem to be)
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Literary Devices and Terms
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/ˈkætəlɪst/.
Other forms: catalysts
A catalyst is an event or person causing a change. Getting kicked out of your parents' house might be a catalyst for becoming more independent.
The noun catalyst is something or someone that causes a change and is derived from the Greek word katalύein , meaning "to dissolve." It can be somewhat ordinary, like when moving to a warmer climate was the catalyst for getting a short, sporty haircut. Or it can be major, like how the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is said to be a catalyst of World War I.
- noun (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected synonyms: accelerator see more see less antonyms: anticatalyst (chemistry) a substance that retards a chemical reaction or diminishes the activity of a catalyst types: show 46 types... hide 46 types... biocatalyst a biochemical catalyst such as an enzyme enzyme any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions platinum black a fine black powder of platinum; used as a catalyst in chemical reactions ADA , adenosine deaminase an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia amylase any of a group of proteins found in saliva and pancreatic juice and parts of plants; help convert starch to sugar cholinesterase an enzyme that hydrolyses acetylcholine (into choline and acetic acid) coagulase an enzyme that induces coagulation collagenase any enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of collagen and gelatin complement one of a series of enzymes in the blood serum that are part of the immune response catalase enzyme found in most plant and animal cells that functions as an oxidative catalyst; decomposes hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water Cox , cyclooxygenase either of two related enzymes that control the production of prostaglandins and are blocked by aspirin decarboxylase any of the enzymes that hydrolize the carboxyl group de-iodinase an enzyme that removes the iodine radical disaccharidase an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of disaccharides into monosaccharides elastase a pancreatic enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of elastin enterokinase enzyme in the intestinal juice that converts inactive trypsinogen into active trypsin histaminase enzyme that acts as a catalyst in converting histidine to histamine Hyazyme , hyaluronidase , spreading factor an enzyme (trade name Hyazyme) that splits hyaluronic acid and so lowers its viscosity and increases the permeability of connective tissue and the absorption of fluids isomerase an enzyme that catalyzes its substrate to an isomeric form kinase an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of a proenzyme to an active enzyme lipase an enzyme secreted in the digestive tract that catalyzes the breakdown of fats into individual fatty acids that can be absorbed into the bloodstream lysozyme , muramidase an enzyme found in saliva and sweat and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain bacteria MAO , monoamine oxidase an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of many body compounds (e.g., epinephrine and norepinephrine and serotonin) nitrogenase an enzyme of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms that catalyzes the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia nuclease general term for enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of nucleic acid by cleaving chains of nucleotides into smaller units oxidase any of the enzymes that catalyze biological oxidation oxidoreductase an enzyme that catalyzes oxidation-reduction papain a proteolytic enzyme obtained from the unripe papaya; used as a meat tenderizer beta-lactamase , penicillinase enzyme produced by certain bacteria that inactivates penicillin and results in resistance to that antibiotic pepsin an enzyme produced in the stomach that splits proteins into peptones pepsinogen precursor of pepsin; stored in the stomach walls and converted to pepsin by hydrochloric acid in the stomach phosphatase any of a group of enzymes that act as a catalyst in the hydrolysis of organic phosphates fibrinolysin , plasmin an enzyme that dissolves the fibrin of blood clots polymerase an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of new DNA and RNA from an existing strand of DNA or RNA peptidase , protease , proteinase , proteolytic enzyme any enzyme that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller peptide fractions and amino acids by a process known as proteolysis reductase an enzyme that catalyses the biochemical reduction of some specified substance chymosin , rennin an enzyme that occurs in gastric juice; causes milk to coagulate secretase a set of enzymes believed to snip pieces off a longer protein producing fragments of amyloid protein that bunch up and create amyloid protein plaques in brain tissue (the pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's) streptodornase an enzyme produced by some hemolytic strains of streptococcus that dissolves fibrinous secretions from infections; used medicinally (often in combination with streptokinase) streptokinase an enzyme produced by some strains of streptococcus that can liquefy blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin; used medicinally in some cases of myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism SOD , superoxide dismutase an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of superoxide into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen telomerase an enzyme in eukaryotic cells that can add telomeres to the ends of chromosomes after they divide transferase any of various enzymes that move a chemical group from one compound to another compound trypsin an enzyme of pancreatic origin; catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins to smaller polypeptide units urease an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into carbon dioxide and ammonia; is present in intestinal bacteria zymase a complex of enzymes that cause glycolysis; originally found in yeast but also present in higher organisms type of: activator (biology) any agency bringing about activation; a molecule that increases the activity of an enzyme or a protein that increases the production of a gene product in DNA transcription
- noun something that causes an important event to happen “the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country” see more see less type of: causal agency , causal agent , cause any entity that produces an effect or is responsible for events or results
Vocabulary lists containing catalyst
Learn these words derived from the Greek root kata- , which has a range of meanings including "down," "through," "against" "across," "along with," and "wrongly."
Liesel Meminger is a foster child living in Nazi Germany in 1939. Surrounded by violence, hardship, and war, Liesel is watched over by Death, who narrates her story.
No time to scour the headlines or watch the news? No problem! We’ve rounded up the top words heard, read, debated, and discussed this week. This week was all about cooperating and not cooperating. After tumultuous negotiations, Angela Merkel built enough of a coalition in Germany to secure another term as Chancellor. Cooperation eludes politicians in Italy, where there will be much wrangling before an agreement is reached on the new government. Finally, President Trump's insistence on his tariff plan means that top economic advisor Gary Cohn will not cooperate within the White House anymore; the issue was the catalyst for Cohn's resignation this week. Take a look back at the week that was, vocabulary style.
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How to Use catalyst in a Sentence
- The bombing attack was the catalyst for war.
- She was proud to be a catalyst for reform in the government.
Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catalyst.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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noun as in something which incites activity
Strongest matches
impetus , incentive , motivation , stimulant
Strong matches
adjuvant , agitator , enzyme , goad , impulse , incendiary , incitation , incitement , reactant , reactionary , spur , synergist
Weak matches
radical stimulus , spark plug , wave maker
Example Sentences
South Africa provides 84% of the platinum group metals needed for fuel cells and automotive catalysts.
That time spent in Ghana and across West and sub-Saharan Africa became my catalyst for starting Tala, and I regularly encourage my team members to take on a “figure it out!”
Floyd’s death was the catalyst for this year’s earlier protests, and Blake’s shooting reignited the demonstrations.
So, more than anything, the endorsement was a catalyst for us to actually say let’s do something, we don’t have to sit around and wait on what are we going to do, endorse or not endorse.
Brittney Sykes is a defensive catalyst for the Sparks and dramatically improved her efficiency from two.
But the copper performs another important function: working as a catalyst in the distillation process.
Brunch is a catalyst, brunch is the enforcer of different-rules-for-the-weekend.
We are proud that our film could be a catalyst for even a small change in the ways these boys are treated in China.
Other non-design services, like Adobe Business Catalyst, which hosts email fundraising campaigns and e-commerce, also went down.
And that question is the catalyst for all the ambiguity throughout the film.
This simple act may have been the catalyst which gave Burl the solution to the problem.
We may, then, compare the catalyst to what is known as "a good mixer" in society.
The tactful hostess, the salon leader, is a social catalyst.
When hydrogen peroxide comes in contact with a catalyst, such as permanganate of potash, it breaks down into oxygen and water.
The catalyst which was necessary for the final reaction would be brought to him by Polter.
Related Words
Words related to catalyst are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word catalyst . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.
noun as in stimulus
noun as in stimulus, force
noun as in throb, stimulus
- augmentation
noun as in drive, resolve
- disposition
- extemporization
- inclination
- inspiration
- spontaneity
Viewing 5 / 23 related words
On this page you'll find 45 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to catalyst, such as: impetus, incentive, motivation, stimulant, adjuvant, and agitator.
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
What is the definition of catalyst in literature?
A catalyst is something that causes an important event to happen.
Add your answer:
What is the definition of British literature?
it is literature from briten
What would be the definition for a naturally occurring catalyst found in cells?
What is the definition of homogeneous catalysis.
In homogeneous catalysis the reactants and the catalyst are dispersed in a single phase, usually liquid.
What is the definition of time and space in postmodernist literature?
What is concise and precise definition of literature as a social science subject.
Literature is classed as a subset of language study, not social science study.
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Definition of catalyst noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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Kate Malone
Content Warning: This section discusses child death and domestic abuse.
Kate Malone is the novel’s narrator and protagonist . She is 18 years old, a senior at Merryweather High School, the daughter of a preacher, and an honors student who is certain she’ll be attending MIT. She is also a champion cross-country runner and has a boyfriend who has been accepted at Harvard. Kate is popular, with a group of wealthy college-bound friends. Despite her excellence, she struggles, running from her anxieties and fears as much as for her track conditioning. She admits that she feels like two people: Good Kate, “Miss Perfect” (4), the dutiful preacher’s daughter committed to her education, and Bad Kate, who wants to rebel. Even when Kate struggles, she feels she must always wear the reluctant mask of Good Kate.
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The literary catalyst can take many forms. You certainly noticed it in the books you read. Sometimes it's as simple as two characters meeting and their encounter is permanently altering their destiny and engaging them in unimaginable adventures. Or sometimes it's a mysterious crime that determines a surprising array of scenes, entangling ...
If your novel is a calm ocean, the catalyst is the vengeful sea wraith exploding from the watery depths. It's an unexpected event that stirs the serene waters and propels your protagonist into the heart of the story. The catalyst, also known as the inciting incident, typically lands in Act One, accounting for around 5% of your novel's word ...
catalyst: [noun] a substance that enables a chemical reaction to proceed at a usually faster rate or under different conditions (as at a lower temperature) than otherwise possible.
The Inciting Incident: Definition, Examples & Writing Tips. The inciting incident is the event that ignites the story's plot and starts the protagonist's transformative journey. Typically, it serves as a catalyst in the protagonist's ordinary life and introduces conflict they must confront. There's a great deal of uncertainty surrounding ...
CATALYST meaning: 1. something that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly without itself being changed 2. an…. Learn more.
Catalyst definition: a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.. See examples of CATALYST used in a sentence.
Literature. This glossary of literary terms is a list of definitions of terms and concepts used in the discussion, classification, analysis, and criticism of all types of literature, such as poetry, novels, and picture books, as well as of grammar, syntax, and language techniques. For a more complete glossary of terms relating to poetry in ...
Synonyms for CATALYST: stimulus, fuel, tool, trigger, cause, mechanism, impetus, spark; Antonyms of CATALYST: disincentive, counterincentive
corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates; new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates. Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into catalyst, n. in July 2023.
catalyst (for something) a person or thing that causes a change I see my role as being a catalyst for change. The riots were later seen as the catalyst for the new political developments.
Definition: a substance, person, or event that ignites or accelerates activity or change. Part of speech: noun. Antonyms: hindrance; obstacle; blockage. Synonyms: stimulant; impetus; incentive. Here are but a few sample sentences of the word in action! The assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the catalyst that would ...
catalyst (plural catalysts) ( chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process . 1988, Lubert Stryer, Biochemistry, 3rd edition, page 177: Enzymes, the catalysts of biological systems, are remarkable molecular devices that determine the pattern of chemical transformations.
CATALYST definition: 1. something that makes a chemical reaction happen more quickly without itself being changed 2. an…. Learn more.
literary devices refers to the typical structures used by writers in their works to convey his or her messages in a simple manner to the readers. When employed properly, the different literary devices help readers to appreciate, interpret and analyze a literary work. Below is a list of literary devices with detailed definition and examples.
catalyst: 1 n (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected Synonyms: accelerator Antonyms: anticatalyst (chemistry) a substance that retards a chemical reaction or diminishes the activity of a catalyst Types: show 46 types... hide 46 types... biocatalyst a biochemical catalyst such as ...
noun. The bombing attack was the catalyst for war. She was proud to be a catalyst for reform in the government. The raid on Smith's shop was one of the catalysts for change. Kapler called Belt a catalyst and a key to the team's record the past week. Lane has been the main catalyst for the spiciness in the two games.
Find 24 different ways to say CATALYST, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com.
In literature, a catalyst is a character or event that sparks change or conflict within the story. This catalyst often propels the plot forward by setting in motion a chain of events that impact ...
Definition of catalyst noun in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... 2 catalyst (for something) a person or thing that causes a change I see my role as being a catalyst for change.
Kate Malone is the novel's narrator and protagonist. She is 18 years old, a senior at Merryweather High School, the daughter of a preacher, and an honors student who is certain she'll be attending MIT. She is also a champion cross-country runner and has a boyfriend who has been accepted at Harvard. Kate is popular, with a group of wealthy ...
definition 1: a substance that produces or speeds up a chemical reaction without being affected itself. An enzyme is an organic catalyst. definition 2: an agent that causes an interaction between persons or forces without being affected itself. The verdict of the trial was the catalyst for the riot. related words:
2 meanings: 1. a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself suffering any permanent chemical.... Click for more definitions.
Definition of catalyst in the Definitions.net dictionary. Meaning of catalyst. What does catalyst mean? Information and translations of catalyst in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. ... Definitions; Grammar; Literature; Lyrics; Phrases; Poetry; Quotes; References; Rhymes; Scripts; Symbols; Synonyms; Zip Codes ...
A panel of jurists selected Niu's I Would Define the Sun, a collection of poems about resisting scarcity through language. The inaugural prize drew more than 300 submissions and honors ...