UFO

noun

ˌyü-(ˌ)ef-ˈō 

ˈyü-(ˌ)fō

plural UFO's or UFOs ˌyü-(ˌ)ef-ˈōz 

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

One night, their horses exhibit strange behavior and come to discover a UFO hovering near their ranch, which proceeds to consume the horses. —and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024

As both lawmakers pointed out, potential UFO sightings near nuclear sites predate drones. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 13 June 2024

People are afraid to report UFO sightings, U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman says. —Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 11 June 2024

The Connecticut Cryptid and UFO Convention is coming to Trumbull Marriott this weekend, according to organizers. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 June 2024

After the conclusion of The Vampire Diaries in 2017, Malarkey became a main cast member of the History Channel’s drama Project Blue Book (2019–2020) based on the U.S. Air Force’s UFO investigation, along with a recurring role on the Crackle crime series The Oath (2018–2019). —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 June 2024

The stage included two towering turrets at over 30 meters tall, perfectly framing the UFO bridge behind it, which itself was adorned with lights and lasers. —Dave Brooks, Billboard, 16 May 2024

Between anecdotes about pulling a muscle while playing a Police cover and pretending to be a UFO expert, Grohl keeps things absurdly fun and reliably wholesome. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 8 May 2024

Between 2020 and 2022, the unincorporated community north of Yucca Valley — historically known as a meeting spot for UFO enthusiasts — saw the biggest jump in typical home values of anywhere in California, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

unidentified flying object

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

UFO

noun

ˌyü-(ˌ)ef-ˈō 

plural UFO's or UFOs -ˈōz 

: an unidentified flying object

especially : flying saucer