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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• phenomena
  plural
• phenomenons
  plural

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

See Examples For:

phenomenon phenomena phenomenons

Although Deussing, a research group leader and experienced neurobiologist, had observed the phenomenon many times, he did not know exactly what type of cells were involved.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world, experts in California say the disease appears to be becoming more of a summer rather than a winter phenomenon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Between 18:20 and 20:10 BST, the Moon caused a near-total eclipse of the Sun, giving people across the UK their best chance to witness the phenomenon since 1999.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The Arctic is warming several times faster than the global average, a phenomenon known as "Arctic amplification" -- and the effects aren't confined to the North Pole.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

That is, everything about the Clovis phenomenon and its spread through the Americas corresponds to findings for other, unquestioned virgin-land colonizations in history.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Martin Griffith, the director of Brecon Beacons Observatory, in Wales, described the eclipse as "one of the great phenomena of nature".

From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026

"There are moments when nature and the intensity of weather phenomena surpass any human planning and any operational capability."

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

One of the phenomena examined in “Out of Time” is why more Pompeiians didn’t flee during or after the foreshadowing earthquakes, and that’s a fascinating area of study all its own.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The phenomena were observed earlier this month thanks to monsoon moisture coming from the south and bringing midlevel clouds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

With a background in math and physics, she brought to the job an understanding of the physical phenomena behind the calculations she worked on.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

The regional deluge was caused by the combined effect of two weather phenomenons, El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, said Nazanine Moshiri, a climate analyst at the International Crisis Group.

From Reuters ● Nov. 8, 2023

To better understand some of these new-sounding weather phenomenons, Times staff dived into the archives to see how long these phrases have made the news, and asked experts about their scientific origins and true meaning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 31, 2023

The former president scored a nod for outstanding narrator for his work on Netflix’s “Our Great National Parks,” a five-part docuseries that spans five continents and the natural phenomenons that make them beautiful.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 12, 2022

But the story’s been somewhat different from other global phenomenons like Squid Game, whose English subtitles came under fire for being woefully inaccurate.

From The Verge ● May 19, 2022

Their disappearances were phenomenons that happened every time Hyacinth gave Franz a bath.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser

Related Words

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