phe·nom·e·non
(fĭ-nŏḿə-nŏń, -nən)
[Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon from neuter present participle of phainesthai, to appear.]
noun: pl., -na (-nə)
- An occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses.
- An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.
- A remarkable or outstanding person; a paragon. See synonyms at wonder
- Philosophy In the philosophy of Kant, an object as it is perceived by the senses, as opposed to a noumenon.
- Physics An observable event.
usage note
Usage Note: Phenomenon is the only singular form of this noun; phenomena is the usual plural. Phenomenons may also be used as the plural in nonscientific writing when the meaning is “extraordinary things, occurrences, or persons”: They were phenomenons in the history of music.
