phenomenon

American  

[fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn] / fɪˈnɒm əˌnɒn, -nən /

noun

phenomena, plural phenomenons plural

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.

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phenomenon British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of phenomenon

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”

Explanation

A phenomenon is an extraordinary occurrence or circumstance. In the 1950s, rock-n-roll was considered a new cultural phenomenon, while today we think of crop circles as a mysterious phenomenon. Like many words with Greek roots, phenomenon started out as a science term. Scientists used it (and still do) to describe any event or fact that could be observed, amazing or not. An earthquake, for example, was a phenomenon, because you could see it (and hear it and feel it). Phenomenon is an example of a word having a specific meaning for one group of people that gets changed when used by the general public.

Example Sentences

"Our new study begins to provide a mechanistic explanation for a phenomenon widely seen during aging, which is increased aggregation and dysfunction in the processes that make proteins."

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

Rodri was a phenomenon at the heart of City's midfield against Inter - alongside John Stones, Pep couldn't resist some tinkering - and scored a fine winning goal in Istanbul.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

The top earners being restricted by a salary cap is a phenomenon that has occurred in professional sports leagues, too.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

In a new trailer, below, “Primetime” puts a suspenseful spin on the heyday of NBC’s cultural phenomenon “To Catch a Predator.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

We knew of the phenomenon called the Bradley effect, named for an African American candidate, Tom Bradley, who’d run for governor in California in the early 1980s.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

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