Of or relating to a catalyst; having properties facilitating chemical reaction or change.
"The catalytic converter in the car efficiently reduces harmful emissions by accelerating chemical reactions within its core components."
In plain English: Something that is catalytic helps start a reaction without being used up itself.
"The new technology has been catalytic in changing how we approach renewable energy."
Usage: This term is almost exclusively used in scientific contexts to describe agents that speed up reactions without being consumed, so avoid applying it metaphorically to general social changes unless mimicking specific technical jargon. Do not confuse the adjective with "catalyst," which refers to the noun itself rather than its properties.