HMS is a common abbreviation used in the United Kingdom and other countries with ties to the British military. It stands for Her Majesty's Ship and is used to indicate a vessel that is owned and operated by the British navy. While HMS is the most commonly used term for these ships, there are several synonyms that are sometimes used interchangeably. These include His Majesty's Ship (HMS), Her Majesty's Vessel (HMV), His Majesty's Vessel (HMV), and Royal Navy Ship (RNS). These terms all refer to the same type of vessel and are used to describe military ships that serve under the British flag.