phenomenon

[fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn]

noun

plural

phenomena, phenomenons 

1. a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable.

   to study the phenomena of nature.

   Synonyms: incident, event

2. something that is impressive or extraordinary.

   Synonyms: miracle, marvel

3. a remarkable or exceptional person; prodigy; wonder.

   Synonyms: miracle, marvel

4. Philosophy.

   1. an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience.

   2. Kantianism.,  a thing as it appears to and is constructed by the mind, as distinguished from a noumenon, or thing-in-itself.

phenomenon

/ fɪˈnɒmɪnən /

noun

1. anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact by the senses

2. any remarkable occurrence or person

3. philosophy

   1. the object of perception, experience, etc

   2. (in the writings of Kant) a thing as it appears and is interpreted in perception and reflection, as distinguished from its real nature as a thing-in-itself Compare noumenon

Usage

Although phenomena is often treated as if it were singular, correct usage is to employ phenomenon with a singular construction and phenomena with a plural: that is an interesting phenomenon (not phenomena ); several new phenomena were recorded in his notes

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenomenon¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainómenon “appearance,” noun use of neuter of phainómenos, present participle of phaínesthai “to appear, become visible,” passive of phaínein “to show, bring to light, make known”

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenomenon¹

C16: via Late Latin from Greek phainomenon, from phainesthai to appear, from phainein to show

Example Sentences

“This case is familiar to the Court and involves the increasingly familiar and untenable phenomenon of lower courts disregarding this Court’s orders on the emergency docket,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Spawning not one but two soundtrack releases, the film had the air of a cultural phenomenon about it and anointed Anderson as a generational talent, earning him his first Academy Award nomination for the screenplay.

From Los Angeles Times

The GOP doesn’t have much practice in dealing with such an unusual phenomenon.

From Salon

In addition to becoming a social media phenomenon, film crews also have an affinity for the city’s barely shaded streets.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most sympathetic reason Williams gave for the glass cliff phenomenon is that sometimes an institution wants to signal they’re shaking things up by promoting someone who isn’t a cookie-cutter white guy.

From Salon

Related Words

• anomaly 
• aspect 
• circumstance 
• episode 
• event 
• experience 
• fact 
• incident 
• miracle 
• paradox 
• reality 
• sensation 

When To Use

What does phenomenon mean?

Phenomenon most generally refers to an observable occurrence or circumstance. For example, a hurricane is a kind of weather phenomenon.Phenomenon is also commonly used to refer to an extraordinary event or something that becomes the subject of widespread interest and attention, as in The movie has become a worldwide phenomenon.Sometimes, phenomenon refers to a person with an extraordinary talent or ability, especially a relatively young person who is considered a prodigy. The word phenom (a shortened form of phenomenon) is commonly used to mean the same thing, as in She became an internationally known chess phenom when she was just 14 years old.The plural of phenomenon is phenomena.The adjective phenomenal is most commonly used to mean highly extraordinary or exceptional, as in It was a phenomenal display of skill. It can also be used more generally to mean relating to phenomena in some way, as in My philosophy paper deals with the phenomenal qualities of existence.Example: Halley’s comet is a phenomenon that occurs every 76 years.