| Abbreviation | Definition |
|---|---|
| CH | Helicopter-carrying Cruiser |
| CHI | Coastal, Harbor, and Inland Waterway Boat |
| CL | Light Cruiser |
| CLG | Guided-missile Light Cruiser |
| CM | Cruiser Minelayer |
| CMB | Coastal Motor Boat |
| CNG/V | Compressed Natural Gas Cargo Ship |
| COW | Crude Oil Washing |
| CRBB | Crystal River Boat Builders |
| CS | Scout Cruiser |
| CT | Training Cruiser |
| CTS | Cadet Training Ship |
| CVA | Attack Aircraft Carrier (Cruiser, heaVier-than-air aircraft, Attack) |
| CVAN | Nuclear-powered Attack Aircraft Carrier (Carrier Vessel, Attack, Nuclear) |
| CVB | Large Aircraft Carrier (Cruiser, heaVier-than-air, Big) |
| CVE | Combustible, Vulnerable, and Expendable |
| CVE | Escort Carrier (Cruiser, heaVier-than-air aircraft, Escort) |
| CVL | Light Aircraft Carrier |
| CVN | Nuclear-powered Aircraft Carrier (Cruiser, heaVier-than-air aircraft, Nuclear) |
| CVS | Anti-Submarine Aircraft Carrier (Cruiser, heaVier-than-air, anti-Submarine) |