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

He’s an extreme case of a phenomenon that has an official name: post-founder syndrome.

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But Mr. Sullivan freshens the familiar with shrewd diversions and, above all, the phenomenon of a relentlessly logical investigator confronting a mystery rooted in love and loyalty.

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"Instead of happening in that area where people are first settling down with agriculture, it looks like it is much more of an Egyptian phenomenon," said Prof Larson.

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I’ve learned that, by God’s grace, what I thought was an extraordinary phenomenon 30 years ago around that table near Sarajevo turns out to be the most common thing in the world.

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He said the team noticed an aerodynamic phenomenon known as "porpoising", where a car bounces up and down into the ground, "from the early laps of the race".

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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.