unidentified anomalous phenomenon

noun

plural unidentified anomalous phenomena

: a mysterious phenomenon (especially an unidentified aerial phenomenon) that is sometimes assumed to be a spaceship from another planet : uap

—used especially as an alternative to UFO or unidentified flying object

Unidentified anomalous phenomena, or UAP, "are events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena from a scientific perspective," according to NASA. The term UAP, originally meaning unidentified aerial phenomena, was changed by the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law in December, [Dan] Evans said. The change occurred in recognition of the fact that the search for UAP should include near space and undersea phenomena as well, he said.

—Ashley Strickland

The director of the Pentagon's new UFO office shot down hopes that the buzz over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) supports claims of extraterrestrial visitation.

—Brett Tingley

Examples of unidentified anomalous phenomenon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The analysis was conducted by the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which Congress created in 2022 to investigate reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena, also known as UAP. — Collin Binkley, Fortune, 15 June 2026

The Department of War has released a third batch of declassified records tied to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), adding 72 files that describe unexplained sightings reported by military personnel, federal agents, and foreign observers. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026

The analysis was conducted by the Pentagon’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which Congress created in 2022 to investigate reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena, also known as UAP. — ABC News, 12 June 2026

Stratton was the top figure in the government's modern investigation of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and non-human intelligent life. — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 3 June 2026

On Friday, the Pentagon released its second batch of files documenting unidentified anomalous phenomena. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

The site, which contains newly declassified government documents on unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) — the more modern term for what were traditionally called UFOs — launched on Friday morning, May 8. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026

The Pentagon has started releasing files related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), also called UFOs. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 8 May 2026

The documents form part of a broader federal effort to release records related to unidentified anomalous phenomena. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

2020, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unidentified anomalous phenomenon

• agamemnon
• automaton
• diencephalon
• panopticon
• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon