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I was working on one of my armies' background. They're suppose to be specialized in ship-to-ship combat and boarding action. To avoid the annoying repeating of "ship-to-ship combat and boarding action", i was thinking to simplify their tactics in "naval warfare". However, i'm not sure if "naval" is a term used in 40k to talk about spaceships. Is "naval" the right term or is it too reminiscent of common waterborne ships? If it's not adequate, what word would it be? Am i just worrying way too much over a word?

Naval is generally the word used to describe spaceships and naval terms are used in the same context.

The Imperial military branch that deals with spaceships is called the Navy and has Admirals and such like. Collections of ships are "fleets". So yes, naval warfare is fine to use.

In sci fi settings there is usually a distinction between "wet navy" and "space navy" but both are commonly termed navy. Therefore any combat involving a space navy would also be naval warfare, so you're correct.

Yep, the fleets of the Astra Mil....Imperial Guard are referred to collectively as the Imperial Navy.

Also, Spacemarine - another naval reference.

Naval is perfectly fine, as the warships are part of the "Imperial Navy". You could also use other terms, such as "void combat".

However, you have to remember that the Imperial Navy and Imperial Guard are very strictly separate forces, to reduce the threat of traitors gaining too much power. It is easy enough to write around though, such as having a regiment seconded to the Navy or something. The important thing is that the Navy and Guard are never part of each others direct chain of command.

The meaning of the word in greek and latin where it is derived from means essentially - "pertaining to ships" and "fleet of ships" - so I think the term will extend to space.

Yep, Navy is correct.

Space-ships are in the space-navy.
Life on a spaceship would be very similar to sea ships:
Needing specialists, such as navigators,
Long periods between ports,
Similar daily routines aboard ship,
The chance to go overboard or be shipwrecked,
Getting a hull breach is bad news.

So, calling it the Imperial Navy is very apt.

As a Lord of the Fleet and ex-Emperor Class Battleship, I can indeed confirm that naval is the correct term when referring to the most divine Imperial service known as the Imperial Navy.