'phenomenon' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'phainomenon', where 'phaino-' meant 'to show' or 'to appear'.

'phainomenon' transformed into the Latin word 'phaenomenon', and eventually became the modern English word 'phenomenon'.

Initially, it meant 'that which appears or is seen', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an observable event or occurrence'.