HTML 4.x, XHTML 1.x
This technique relates to:
The objective of this technique is to provide the definitions of words or phrases by presenting them in a definition list. The list is marked up using the dl
element. Within the list, each term is put in a separate dt
element, and its definition goes in the dd
element directly following it. The title
attribute can be used to provide additional information about the definition list.
Using dl
, dt
, and dd
ensures that relationships between terms and their definitions are preserved if the presentation format changes and that the list of terms and definitions is treated as a unit.
Definition lists are easiest to use when the definitions are put in alphabetical order. Definition lists are typically used in a glossary.
A list of definitions of nautical terms used on a Website about sailing.
<dl title="Nautical terms"> <dt>Knot</dt> <dd> <p>A <em>knot</em> is a unit of speed equaling 1 nautical mile per hour (1.15 miles per hour or 1.852 kilometers per hour).</p> </dd> <dt>Port</dt> <dd> <p><em>Port</em> is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the left side of a ship, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel).</p> </dd> <dt>Starboard</dt> <dd> <p><em>Starboard</em> is the nautical term (used on boats and ships) that refers to the right side of a vessel, as perceived by a person facing towards the bow (the front of the vessel).</p> </dd> </dl>
Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.
For any set of words and their definitions that have the appearance of a list:
Check that the list is contained within a dl
element.
Check that each word defined in the list is contained within a dt
element.
Check that the definition for each word appears in the dd
element immediately following the word's dt
element .
All checks above are true.