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Definition of phenomenon - 5 dictionary results

phe⋅nom⋅e⋅non

  [fi-nom-uh-non, -nuhn]
Use phenomenon in a Sentence
–noun, plural -na  [-nuh] or, especially for 3, -nons.
1. a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable: to study the phenomena of nature.
2. something that is impressive or extraordinary.
3. a remarkable or exceptional person; prodigy; wonder.
4. Philosophy.
a. an appearance or immediate object of awareness in experience.
b. Kantianism. a thing as it appears to and is constructed by the mind, as distinguished from a noumenon, or thing-in-itself.
Origin:
1595–1605; < LL phaenomenon < Gk phainómenon appearance, n. use of neut. of phainómenos, prp. of phaínesthai to appear, pass. of phaínein to show

Synonyms:
1. event, incident. 2, 3. marvel, miracle.

Usage note:
As with other plurals of Latin or Greek origin, like media and criteria, there is a tendency to use the plural phenomena as a singular (This phenomena will not be seen again), but such use occurs infrequently in edited writing. The plural form phenomenas, though occasionally seen, has even less currency.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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phe·nom·e·non   (fĭ-nŏm'ə-nŏn', -nən)   
n.   pl. phe·nom·e·na (-nə)

  1. An occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses.

  2. pl. phe·nom·e·nons

    1. An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.

    2. A remarkable or outstanding person; a paragon. See Synonyms at wonder.

  3. Philosophy In the philosophy of Kant, an object as it is perceived by the senses, as opposed to a noumenon.

  4. Physics An observable event.


[Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon, from neuter present participle of phainesthai, to appear; see bhā-1 in Indo-European roots.]
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

phenomenon 
1576, "fact, occurrence," from L.L. phænomenon, from Gk. phainomenon "that which appears or is seen," noun use of neut. prp. of phainesthai "to appear," passive of phainein (see phantasm). Meaning "extraordinary occurrence" first recorded 1771. Plural is phenomena. Phenomenal "of the nature of a phenomenon" is a hybrid coined 1825 by Coleridge, with suffix from L. -alis; meaning "extraordinary" is first attested 1850. Shortened form phenom is baseball slang, first recorded 1890.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: phe·nom·e·non
Pronunciation: fi-'näm-&-"nän, -n&n
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural phe·nom·e·na /-n&, -"nä/
1 : an observable fact or event
2 a : an object or aspect known through the sensesrather than by thought or intuition b : a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible of scientific description and explanation
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

phenomenon phe·nom·e·non (fĭ-nŏm'ə-nŏn', -nən)
n. pl. phe·nom·e·na (-nə)

  1. An occurrence, a circumstance, or a fact that is perceptible by the senses, especially one in relation to a disease.

  2. pl. phenome·nons An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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