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 …
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Myron P. Medcalf
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
The European Space Agency even says that one week of radiation on the ISS is one year's worth of exposure to radiation on Earth (depending on the number of solar flares and other sun phenomena that occur).
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
This framework helps explain phenomena like visual illusions and the continuity between dreaming and wakefulness.
—Gabriel Snyder, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
However, as research delves deeper into quantum physics and macroscopic phenomena like black holes, the need to unify these theories has become increasingly clear.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
In separate research works, scientists previously used Einstein’s field equation and entropy to explain how gravity, spacetime, and other macroscopic phenomena can be described using quantum mechanics.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
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Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
This framework helps explain phenomena like visual illusions and the continuity between dreaming and wakefulness.
—Gabriel Snyder, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
However, as research delves deeper into quantum physics and macroscopic phenomena like black holes, the need to unify these theories has become increasingly clear.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
In separate research works, scientists previously used Einstein’s field equation and entropy to explain how gravity, spacetime, and other macroscopic phenomena can be described using quantum mechanics.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
Cite this Entry
“Phenomena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomena. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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