UFO

noun

ˌyü-(ˌ)ef-ˈō How to pronounce UFO (audio)
ˈyü-(ˌ)fō
plural UFO's or UFOs ˌyü-(ˌ)ef-ˈōz How to pronounce UFO (audio)
ˈyü-(ˌ)fōz
: a mysterious flying object in the sky that is sometimes assumed to be a spaceship from another planet : unidentified flying object
"All right." The President sighed. "Is there anybody around this table who thinks UFOs and this signal from Vega have anything to do with each other?"Carl Sagan
In 1966, the first UFO "abduction" was described in journalist John G. Fuller's book The Interrupted Journey.Keay Davidson

called also UAP, unidentified aerial phenomenon, unidentified anomalous phenomenon

Examples of UFO in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Not a single such document lends credence to the idea that a UFO or alien bodies were recovered in the New Mexico desert. WIRED, 14 Nov. 2023 The movie has been acquired for Italy (I Wonder), France (UFO), Germany (Salzgeber), Austria (Filmladen), Spain (Karma), Benelux and Israel (Cinemien), Switzerland (Xenix), Sweden (Lucky Dogs), Greece (Cinobo), Ukraine (Arthouse Traffic) and Czech Republic and Slovakia (Film Europe). Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 6 Nov. 2023 During a total solar eclipse the lighting grows decidedly eerie—equal parts post-apocalyptic (as if a UFO were overtaking our local star) and photographic (like an underexposed print viewed in a darkroom). Maya Silver, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2023 For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode. PODCAST PICK: America's UFO hotspot, voice cloning scams & incognito mode tricks Plus, not a fan of smiling for photos? Fox News, 27 Oct. 2023 However, the footage still falls within the dubious genre of Bigfoot videos, which are about as credible as your Uncle Kenny’s latest UFO sighting. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 10 Oct. 2023 From San Diego County and skateboarding to punk rock and the paranormal, the movie includes many of DeLonge’s passions, as well as the research that put him and his company, To The Stars, at the forefront of recent UFO/UAP revelations. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Oct. 2023 The structure resembles a planet itself — or a UFO — and is a unique way to spend an afternoon. 23 of 25 Appreciate art in a museum or two. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2023 Brynn is eventually abducted into a UFO, and during a study, she’s forced to relive her traumatic memories before finally forgiving herself. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'UFO.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

unidentified flying object

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of UFO was in 1953

Dictionary Entries Near UFO

Cite this Entry

“UFO.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/UFO. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

plural UFO's or UFOs -ˈōz How to pronounce UFO (audio)
: an unidentified flying object
especially : flying saucer

More from Merriam-Webster on UFO

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