phenomenon

4 definitions • 6 examples

something that exists and can be seen, felt, tasted, etc., especially something unusual or interesting:

Gravity is a natural phenomenon.

Do you believe in the paranormal and other psychic phenomena?

There's evidence to suggest that child abuse is not just a recent phenomenon.

someone or something that is extremely successful, often because of special qualities or abilities:

The Beatles were a phenomenon - nobody had heard anything like them before.

anything that is or can be experienced or felt, esp. something that is noticed because it is unusual or new:

We discussed the ever-growing popularity of talk radio, and wondered how to explain this phenomenon.

someone or something special, esp. because it is completely different or extremely unusual:

He was a kind of phenomenon, an actor running for president.