phenomena

[ fi-nom-uh-nuh ]

noun

1. a plural of phenomenon.

phenomena

/ fɪˈnɒmɪnə /

noun

1. a plural of phenomenon

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of phenomena¹

First recorded in 1580–90 with spelling phænomena

Example Sentences

In a statement, the trade union Intersindical attacked the decision, saying that “by prioritising short-term interests, they contribute to environmental decay and aggravate the effects of extreme weather phenomena”.

From BBC

White edges turn the pulsing shapes into suggestions of natural phenomena — blossoming flower petals and breaking ocean waves — but neither one is realistically described.

From Los Angeles Times

While there has been ample previous research on related phenomena like ice melt and sea ice melt, the scientists behind the new paper bluntly declare that “this trend echoes a wider pattern of greening in cold-climate ecosystems in response to recent warming, suggesting future widespread changes in the Antarctic Peninsula’s terrestrial ecosystems and their long-term functioning.”

From Salon

And while Murphy and the episode's writers, Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, do a very watchable job of providing viewers with a crash course on liminal spaces and the "backroom" phenomena, TikTok does it better.

From Salon

“The intensity of these hazards… is changing,” says Ms Kimani, noting that satellite data that could be updated as frequently as every five minutes, or less, would help meteorologists track such phenomena.

From BBC