UAP

plural UAPs

1. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of unidentified anomalous phenomenon. The umbrella category for all environments.
   1. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of unidentified aerial phenomenon or unexplained aerial phenomenon.

      Near-synonyms: UFO, unidentified flying object (synonymous in its broad sense)

      5 more examples

      During World War II (and probably before), high flying pilots were reported to have observed unexplained aerial phenomena (UAP), often now called transient luminous events (TLE’s), particularly in the vicinity of thunderstorms.

      2012 September 17, Don Lipman, “Red sprites, blue jets, and elves What are these mysterious, elusive phenomena?”, in The Washington Post, Washington, D.C.: The Washington Post Company, →ISSN, →OCLC

      “You know, there’s a new name,” Mrs. Clinton said in the March appearance. “It’s unexplained aerial phenomenon,” she said. “U.A.P. That’s the latest nomenclature.”

      2016 May 10, Amy Chozick, “Hillary Clinton Gives U.F.O. Buffs Hope She Will Open the X-Files”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC

      The founders say they believe “there is sufficient credible evidence of UAP [unidentified aerial phenomenon] that proves exotic technologies exist that could revolutionize the human experience.”

      2017 December 16, Bryan Bender, “The Pentagon’s Secret Search for UFOs”, in Politico Magazine, →ISSN

      This is an effort that I believe is rare and timely given current events, such as the apparent increase in UAP incidents through official military channels.

      2019 October 23, M J Banias, “This Silicon Valley Startup Is Dedicated to Detecting UFOs Off the California Coast”, in Vice Magazine, →ISSN

      The spokesman at the time said UAP was preferred over UFO because of the stigma surrounding the latter term.

      2020, Jordan Culver, Adrianna Rodriguez, “Pentagon declassifies 3 leaked US Navy UFO videos”, in USA Today

      Synonyms: UFO, unidentified flying object

2. abbreviationinitialismInitialism of unlicensed assistive personnel (plural) or unlicensed assistive personnel member (plural).

1. archaicArchaic form of Yap (“an island”).