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
Pettit is widely admired as an accomplished photographer, spending much of his spare time aboard the International Space Station photographing astronomical phenomena, auroral displays and life aboard the orbiting lab complex.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025
Schumer took up the mantle for calling for greater transparency for government records on UFOs from the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who sponsored a project to investigate incidents surrounding unexplained aerial phenomena.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
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William Harwood, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2025
Schumer took up the mantle for calling for greater transparency for government records on UFOs from the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who sponsored a project to investigate incidents surrounding unexplained aerial phenomena.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 23 Jan. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for phenomena
Cite this Entry
“Phenomena.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomena. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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