phenomenon
Americannoun
plural
phenomena, phenomenons-
a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable.
to study the phenomena of nature.
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something that is impressive or extraordinary.
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a remarkable or exceptional person; prodigy; wonder.
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Philosophy.
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an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience.
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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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noun
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anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact by the senses
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any remarkable occurrence or person
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philosophy
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the object of perception, experience, etc
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(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”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
None of these summer-style temperatures in early spring bodes well for the actual summer ahead, in which a “Super El Niño” is predicted to unleash itself, a weather phenomenon some are calling “Godzilla El Niño.”
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
They’re a crazy phenomenon with plenty of uses—some legitimate, many illegal.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The team turned to the Talbot effect, a classical optics phenomenon first described in 1836 by Henry Fox Talbot.
From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026
Some are mentally soothed by repeating specific words or phrases, a phenomenon known as echolalia, which can be misinterpreted by someone unfamiliar with the trait as mocking or uncooperative.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
It is not possible to write a relatively short book that explores all aspects of the phenomenon of mass incarceration and its implications for racial justice.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
