phenomena

Phenomena is the plural of phenomenon, which most generally refers to an observable occurrence or circumstance. For example, hurricanes and tornadoes are two kinds of weather phenomena.

Phenomenon is also commonly used to refer to an extraordinary event or something that becomes the subject of widespread interest and attention, as in Both films have become worldwide phenomena.

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. This sense of phenomenon is not commonly pluralized as phenomena.

Example: Scientists are struggling to explain these strange phenomena, saying they’ve never seen anything like them.

The first records of the word phenomena come from the 1580s. It is the plural of phenomenon, which comes from the Greek phainómenon, from the verb phaínesthai, meaning “to appear, become visible,” from phaínein, “to show, bring to light, make known.”

Most senses of phenomenon deal with things that are visible or observable or that have become well-known. In science, the word phenomena is typically used to refer to things that occur naturally and can be observed, such as a weather phenomena or a cosmic phenomena. In philosophy, it’s used more broadly to refer to objects of perception or experience.

What are some other forms related to phenomena?

• phenomenon (singular)
• phenomenal (adjective)

What are some synonyms for phenomena?

• occurrences
• spectacles

What are some words that share a root or word element with phenomena? 

• phenom
• phenomenology

What are some words that often get used in discussing phenomena?

• natural
• weather
• rare
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• talent
• worldwide
• international
• remarkable

Phenomena is a somewhat formal word, but it can be used in all kinds of contexts, including serious scientific ones and ones involving pop culture.

A theory of everything would be the crowning achievement of 2,000 years of science, capable of unifying all known phenomena into a single equation. Not surprisingly, it is also the most controversial, with Nobel Laureates taking opposite positions on this fundamental question.

— Dr. Michio Kaku (@michiokaku) February 1, 2021

Eye in the sky views of events from the past year. #Landsat captured natural phenomena and hazards, upgrades to the inventory, and significant milestones to its archive. Cheers to a year of Landsat in review.🛰️📡 #YearInReview pic.twitter.com/QOy9tCw3Q3

— USGS Landsat Program (@USGSLandsat) December 31, 2020

Noctilucent clouds- very rare phenomena, and extremely high- between 82-85km in altitude. pic.twitter.com/O7zmr6GWj7

— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) May 27, 2015

True or False?

Lightning and hail are both examples of weather phenomena.