catalyze

/ˈkætəlaɪz/
verb
  1. To cause or speed up a chemical reaction by adding a substance that is not changed itself.
    • Enzymes in the body catalyze the digestion of food.
    • The scientist added a metal to catalyze the reaction in the lab.
    • Certain bacteria catalyze the breakdown of organic matter in compost.
  2. To cause an important change or event to happen more quickly or easily.
    • The new law catalyzed a wave of environmental reforms across the country.
    • The invention of the internet catalyzed a global shift in how people communicate.
    • Her speech catalyzed a community effort to clean up the local park.
What does "catalyze" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean