phenomena

noun

phe·​nom·​e·​na fi-ˈnä-mə-nə How to pronounce phenomena (audio)
-ˌnä
plural phenomenas
nonstandard
Can phenomena be used as a singular?: Usage Guide

Phenomena has been in occasional use as a singular since the early 18th century, as has the plural phenomenas. Our evidence shows that singular phenomena is primarily a speech form used by poets, critics, and professors, among others, but one that sometimes turns up in edited prose.

Although it seemed like a fad a few years ago, Twitter has evolved into a phenomena with more than 200 million users … Myron P. Medcalf

It is etymologically no more irregular than stamina and agenda, but it has nowhere near the frequency of use that they have, and while they are standard, phenomena is still rather borderline.

Examples of phenomena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web From its breathtaking landscapes and cascading waterfalls to its unique geothermal phenomena and dancing northern lights, Iceland's natural wonders are largely accessible for free. David Nikel, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But those trends appeared across the entire venture funding universe, and were more likely related to the run-up in interest rates and fears of a recession than to any California-centric phenomena. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Frogman Festival Celebrating the mythical Loveland Frogman, this festival boasts more than 50 unique vendors, circus sideshows and speakers specializing in cryptids, the paranormal, unexplained phenomena, folklore, UFOs and more. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 In the course of dissecting the fundamental nature of quantum fate, the physicists involved have discovered previously unknown quantum phenomena that threaten the stability of great hordes of particles. Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024 Although total solar eclipses and bright comets are each relatively rare phenomena, Comet 12P wouldn’t be the first to make an appearance during totality. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 23 Feb. 2024 To have not known the cause of the phenomena would have been very disconcerting. Bill Bowden, arkansasonline.com, 18 Feb. 2024 The Lofoten Islands, Norway The northern lights are one of the world’s most beautiful natural phenomena, but seeing it with your own eyes is all down to timing and a pinch of good luck. Laura Hampson, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Feb. 2024 The phenomena, whether naturally occurring or human-triggered, accounts for an average of 25 to 30 deaths across the country annually, the Avalanche Center says. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'phenomena.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phenomena was in 1708

Dictionary Entries Near phenomena

Cite this Entry

“Phenomena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomena. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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