unidentified flying object

noun

plural unidentified flying objects
: a mysterious flying object in the sky that is sometimes assumed to be a spaceship from another planet : UFO
Three unidentified flying objects shot down from North American airspace could turn out to be balloons used for research or commercial purposes that posed no direct threat to the U.S., a White House spokesman said Tuesday.Candy Woodall et al.

called also UAP, unidentified aerial phenomenon, unidentified anomalous phenomenon

Examples of unidentified flying object in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Identifying the mystery drones Concerns over unidentified flying objects have increased after several waves of mystery drones were spotted in New England, with New Jersey officials sighting flying along the coast. Theo Burman, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 The unidentified flying objects, according to the federal government, do not appear to be operating nefariously. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 The deployment of Robin technology could come as a relief to residents in the New York and New Jersey areas who have been rattled by the bright, unidentified flying objects hovering above their homes almost every night for weeks. Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 16 Dec. 2024 Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, have yet to corroborate or provide any clear answers about the unidentified flying objects spotted across the skies of Maryland, New York and New Jersey. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unidentified flying object 

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unidentified flying object was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near unidentified flying object

Cite this Entry

“Unidentified flying object.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unidentified%20flying%20object. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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