A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
[formal]
...scientific explanations of natural phenomena.
This form of civil disobedience isn't a particularly new phenomenon.
More Synonyms of phenomenon
phenomenon in British English
(fɪˈnɒmɪnən)
nounWord forms: plural-ena (-ɪnə) or -enons
1.
anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact by the senses
2.
any remarkable occurrence or person
3. philosophy
a.
the object of perception, experience, etc
b.
(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 origin
C16: via Late Latin from Greek phainomenon, from phainesthai to appear, from phainein to show
phenomenon in American English
(fəˈnɑmənən; fəˈnɑməˌnɑn)
nounWord forms: pluralpheˈnomena (fəˈnɑmənə) or pheˈnomeˌnons
1.
any event, circumstance, or experience that is apparent to the senses and that can be scientifically described or appraised, as an eclipse
2.
in Kantian philosophy, a thing as it appears in perception as distinguished from the thing as it is initself independent of sense experience
see also noumenon
3.
any extremely unusual or extraordinary thing or occurrence
4. Informal
a person with an extraordinary quality, aptitude, etc.; prodigy
Word origin
LL phaenomenon < Gr phainomenon, neut. prp. of phainesthai, to appear, akin to phainein: see fantasy
COBUILD Collocations
phenomenon
cultural phenomenon
explain the phenomenon
global phenomenon
natural phenomenon
rare phenomenon
strange phenomenon
temporary phenomenon
universal phenomenon
weather phenomenon
worldwide phenomenon
Examples of 'phenomenon' in a sentence
phenomenon
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Yet he remained convinced that psychic phenomena exist.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
To some degree, this is one small part of a global phenomenon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet, this is not a new phenomenon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Were aware that their own ideas about real world phenomena were changing.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
The answer has to be that natural phenomena are useful in their proper place.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
The multiplication of images has changed the nature of the phenomenon.
Christianity Today (2000)
It is in this context that more general global phenomena will be explored.
Tom Cannon Basic Marketing. Principles and Practice (1986)
It does not look for the factors that might account for an observed phenomenon.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
The same phenomenon exists in societies that are not based on one and only one language.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
This is not exactly a new phenomenon is it?
The Sun (2014)
What they need to find out now is whether the same phenomenon happens in the atmosphere.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Used concepts presented in the text to explain real world phenomena.
Pressley, Michael & McCormick, Christine Advanced Educational Psychology For Educators, Researchers and Policymakers, (1995)
It could be an entirely new natural phenomenon.
The Sun (2009)
One of the most mysterious phenomena in nature is the human mind itself.
Porush, David A Short Guide to Writing About Science (1995)
It has grown over the years to become something of a global phenomenon.
The Sun (2009)
Critical social research does not set out to find the "causes" of observed social phenomena.
Lee Harvey Critical Social Research (1990)
This is not an entirely new phenomenon.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And accidental fires caused by this phenomenon happen quite often.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Environmental hazards result from natural phenomena as well as human activities.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
That social science does not examine a phenomenon does not compel us to conclude that the phenomenon does not exist.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
They became something of a phenomenon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There's also a welcome return to the comforting phenomenon of eating things on toast.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was in fact a Victorian phenomenon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's a mystery why some things become internet phenomena.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Researchers hope to establish whether it is a purely social phenomenon or something more Darwinian.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Watching The Hangover sequel helps you experience the same phenomenon.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
phenomenon
British English: phenomenon NOUN
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
...scientific explanations of natural phenomena.
American English: phenomenon
Brazilian Portuguese: fenômeno
Chinese: 现象
European Spanish: fenómeno
French: phénomène
German: Phänomen
Italian: fenomeno
Japanese: 現象
Korean: 현상
European Portuguese: fenómeno
Latin American Spanish: fenómeno
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'phenomenon'
phi-phenomenon
the illusion that when two lights are rapidly turned on and off in succession something appears to move backwards and forwards between them while the lights stay stationary
rare phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
global phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
natural phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
strange phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
weather phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
autokinetic phenomenon
the apparent movement of a fixed point of light when observed in a darkened room. The effect is produced by small eye movements for which the brain is unable to compensate , having no other reference points
cultural phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
Raynaud's phenomenon
a secondary circulatory disorder , often associated with a primary vascular disease, characterized by changes of blood flow resulting in white, bluish , or red hands and feet
temporary phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
universal phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
worldwide phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
explain the phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
figure-ground phenomenon
the division of the perceptual field into background and objects that appear to stand out against it. The concept was evolved by the Gestalt psychologists, who invented ambiguous figures in which the same part could be seen either as figure or ground
Chinese translation of 'phenomenon'
phenomenon
(fəˈnɔmɪnən)
Word forms:plphenomena
n(c)
现(現)象 (xiànxiàng) (种(種), zhǒng)
a natural phenomenon自然现(現)象 (zìrán xiànxiàng)
1 (noun)
Definition
anything that can be perceived as an occurrence or fact
scientific explanations of this natural phenomenon
Synonyms
occurrence
Traffic jams are now a daily occurrence.
happening
plans to hire freelance reporters to cover the latest happenings
fact
He was sure the gun was planted after the fact.
event
in the wake of recent events in Europe
incident
They have not based it on any incident from the past.
circumstance
I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of the disappearance.
episode
an unhappy episode in my life
2 (noun)
Definition
any remarkable occurrence or person
The Loch Ness monster is not the only bizarre phenomenon that bookmakers take bets on.
Synonyms
wonder
a fascinating lecture on the wonders of nature
sensation
spectacle
the bizarre spectacle of an actor desperately demanding an encore
sight
I am going to show you the sights of our wonderful city.
exception
miracle
It's a miracle no one was killed.
marvel
A new technological marvel was invented there – the electron microscope.
prodigy
people performing prodigies of superhuman endurance
rarity
nonpareil
black swan
Usage note
Although phenomena is often treated as a singular, this is not grammatically correct. Phenomenon is the singular form of this word, and phenomena the plural; so several new phenomena were recorded in his notes is correct, but that is an interesting phenomena is not.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of circumstance
Definition
an occurrence or condition that accompanies or influences a person or event
I'm making inquiries about the circumstances of the disappearance.
Synonyms
detail,
fact,
event,
particular,
respect,
factor
in the sense of episode
Definition
an event or series of events
an unhappy episode in my life
Synonyms
event,
experience,
happening,
matter,
affair,
incident,
circumstance,
adventure,
business,
occurrence,
escapade
in the sense of event
Definition
a planned and organized occasion
in the wake of recent events in Europe
Synonyms
incident,
happening,
experience,
matter,
affair,
occasion,
proceeding,
fact,
business,
circumstance,
episode,
adventure,
milestone,
occurrence,
escapade
Synonyms of 'phenomenon'
phenomenon
Explore 'phenomenon' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fact
Definition
an event or thing known to have happened or existed
He was sure the gun was planted after the fact.
Synonyms
event,
happening,
act,
performance,
incident,
deed,
occurrence,
fait accompli
in the sense of happening
Definition
an event that often occurs in a way that is unexpected or hard to explain
plans to hire freelance reporters to cover the latest happenings
Synonyms
event,
incident,
occasion,
case,
experience,
chance,
affair,
scene,
accident,
proceeding,
episode,
adventure,
phenomenon,
occurrence,
escapade
in the sense of incident
Definition
an occurrence or event, esp. a minor one
They have not based it on any incident from the past.
Synonyms
happening,
event,
affair,
business,
fact,
matter,
occasion,
circumstance,
episode,
occurrence,
escapade
in the sense of marvel
Definition
something that causes wonder
A new technological marvel was invented there – the electron microscope.
Synonyms
wonder,
phenomenon,
miracle,
portent
in the sense of miracle
Definition
a marvellous example of something
It's a miracle no one was killed.
Synonyms
wonder,
phenomenon,
sensation,
marvel,
amazing achievement,
astonishing feat
in the sense of prodigy
Definition
anything that is a cause of wonder
people performing prodigies of superhuman endurance
Synonyms
wonder,
phenomenon,
miracle,
sensation,
marvel,
one in a million,
rare bird (informal)
in the sense of sight
Definition
anything worth seeing
I am going to show you the sights of our wonderful city.
Synonyms
attraction,
place of interest,
view,
wonder,
landmark,
monument,
curiosity,
marvel
in the sense of spectacle
Definition
a strange, interesting, or ridiculous scene
the bizarre spectacle of an actor desperately demanding an encore