[kat-l-ist] 
| 1. | Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected. |
| 2. | something that causes activity between two or more persons or forces without itself being affected. |
| 3. | a person or thing that precipitates an event or change: His imprisonment by the government served as the catalyst that helped transform social unrest into revolution. |
| 4. | a person whose talk, enthusiasm, or energy causes others to be more friendly, enthusiastic, or energetic. |
| cat·a·lyst (kāt'l-ĭst) n.
[From catalysis.] |
In chemistry, a substance that causes a chemical reaction to occur but is not itself involved in the reaction.
Note: The term catalyst is often used to refer to the prime agent of any change: “She was the catalyst for the reorganization.”
Catalyst
Something that initiates or causes an important event to happen. Originally a term used in chemistry for the volatile (active) chemical in a formula.
Investopedia Commentary
Quite often you will hear someone say that a stock needs a catalyst. This means that the stock needs some good news or a press release to get people interested in the stock again.
See also: Press Release
catalyst cat·a·lyst (kāt'l-ĭst)
n.
A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.
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