phenomena

American  

[fi-nom-uh-nuh] / fɪˈnɒm ə nə /

noun

1. a plural of phenomenon.

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phenomena British  

/ fɪˈnɒmɪnə /

noun

1. a plural of phenomenon

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Usage

As with other plurals of Latin or Greek origin, like media and criteria, there is a tendency to use the plural phenomena as a singular ( This phenomena will not be seen again ), but such use occurs infrequently in edited writing. The plural form phenomenas, though occasionally seen, has even less currency.

Etymology

Origin of phenomena

First recorded in 1580–90 with spelling phænomena

Example Sentences

Welikala had stumbled upon one of L.A.’s more unlikely cultural phenomena: Public Assembly theater.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026

The Fed research and similar papers try to put some numbers on these phenomena.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

In January Macleod's eldest daughter captured her first images of the phenomena.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

While Morocco is no stranger to extreme weather events, scientists say climate change driven by human activity has made phenomena like droughts and floods more frequent and intense.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Studies have been done, in fact, in which experts in a given field have analyzed such random phenomena and come up with cogent “explanations” for the patterns.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos