Catalyst vs. Reagent

Catalystnoun

(chemistry) A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Reagentnoun

(chemistry) A compound or mixture of compounds used to treat materials, samples, other compounds or reactants in a laboratory or sometimes an industrial setting.

Catalystnoun

Someone or something that encourages progress or change.

‘Economic development and integration are working as a catalyst for peace.’;

Reagentnoun

A substance capable of producing with another a reaction, especially when employed to detect the presence of other bodies; a test.

Catalystnoun

(literature) An inciting incident that sets the successive conflict into motion.

Reagentnoun

a chemical agent for use in chemical reactions

Catalystnoun

(automotive) A catalytic converter.

Reagent

A reagent is a substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction, or added to test if a reaction occurs. The terms reactant and reagent are often used interchangeably—however, a reactant is more specifically a substance consumed in the course of a chemical reaction.

Catalystnoun

a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected; as, thousands of enzymes serve in concert as calaysts to produce the sequence of reactions we call "life"; the industrial production of cheap ammonia depended on finding a good catalyst.

Catalystnoun

something that serves as a precipitating occasion for an event; as, the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country.

Catalystnoun

something or someone that causes events to happen with itself being changed.

Catalystnoun

(chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected

Catalystnoun

something that causes an important event to happen;

‘the invasion acted as a catalyst to unite the country’;

Catalystnoun

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change

‘chlorine acts as a catalyst promoting the breakdown of ozone’;

Catalystnoun

a person or thing that precipitates an event

‘the prime minister's speech acted as a catalyst for debate’;