1.
to hold, to host, to organize
To plan and carry out an event, gathering, or ceremony.
パーティーを催す。
Hold a party.
学校で文化祭が催された。
A cultural festival was held at the school.
地域の住民が協力して夏祭りを催した。
The local residents worked together to hold a summer festival.
2.
to feel, to experience (a physical or emotional urge)
To feel a bodily sensation or emotional impulse such as drowsiness, nausea, or the urge to cry.
眠気を催す。
Feel drowsy.
吐き気を催して横になった。
I felt nauseous and lay down.
その映画を見ていたら涙を催した。
Watching that movie brought me to tears.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 催しを開く (hold an event)
- 眠気を催す (feel drowsy)
- 吐き気を催す (feel nauseous)
- 涙を催す (be moved to tears)
The sense 1 meaning is more commonly seen in formal or written contexts. The noun form 催し means "event" or "function." The sense 2 meaning describes involuntary physical or emotional sensations.