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 Carmakal, the Mandiant CTO, said in prepared remarks that the experience with Colonial shows how ransomware has moved from a strictly online phenomena to one that has serious implications for the lives of everyday people. — Washington Post, 9 June 2021 Nevertheless, this observation offers a fantastic potential for understanding three phenomena all within a unified framework for the first time. — Ethan Siegel, Forbes, 8 June 2021 Science Storms also demonstrates lightening, fire and other natural phenomena. — Doug George, chicagotribune.com, 4 June 2021 Some were inspired by sunlight and phenomena like the Big Bang, while others imitate the colors and textures of flower petals and butterfly wings. — CNN, 3 June 2021 They were beloved among the public who believed in such phenomena. — Susan Dunne, courant.com, 2 June 2021 Mellon said the stigma associated with reporting such phenomena has long kept witnesses quiet — a sentiment echoed by Lt. Cmdr. — NBC News, 17 May 2021 According to the Western Australian Museum, Pliny was a scholar with an interest in natural phenomena, as well as the commander of the Roman naval base at Misenum, on the Bay of Naples. — Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2021 The cause of these mysterious millisecond-long radio blasts in space has eluded scientists since the phenomena was discovered in 2007. — Ashley Strickland, CNN, 20 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phenomena.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.