What does USS stand for in naval terminology?

USS stands for "United States Ship." This designation is used to formally identify commissioned ships of the United States Navy. The prefix "USS" is an important designation that indicates a vessel is part of the naval fleet and is operationally recognized by the U.S. government. Each ship that carries this designation has a unique name and is usually followed by the ship's name, highlighting its status as an official naval asset.

Other options like "United States Submarine," "United States Service," and "United States Squadron" do not accurately represent the formal terminology used in naval contexts. While submarines are indeed part of the Navy and have their own specific classifications, the designation for general naval vessels is specifically "United States Ship." "United States Service" is too vague and does not pertain to ships specifically, and "United States Squadron" refers to a grouping of naval vessels, not the individual ship designation.