HTML Definition Lists

In HTML, a definition list is used to present a collection of terms and their explanations. It works much like a glossary or dictionary, pairing each term with its description.

Purpose of a Definition List

When you need to display technical terms, product features, or any data that comes in term – definition pairs, a definition list is the best choice. Unlike ordered or unordered lists, this type of list emphasizes the relationship between items, rather that their sequence or grouping.

Basic Syntax

A definition list uses three types of tags:

<dl> wraps the entire list (short for definition list).
<dt> holds the term being defined (definition term).
<dd> provides the explanation (definition description).

				
					<h1>HTML Definition List</h1>

<dl>
  <dt>HTML</dt>
  <dd>HyperText Markup Language: The standard language for creating web pages.</dd>

  <dt>CSS</dt>
  <dd>Cascading Style Sheets: A language used to style HTML documents.</dd>

  <dt>JavaScript</dt>
  <dd>A scripting language used to create interactive effects within web browsers.</dd>
</dl>

Explanation

In this example:

The <dl> element wraps the whole list.
Each <dt> is a term like “HTML” or “CSS”.
Each <dd> gives the definition or explanation for the term just above it.

This format keeps your content clean and easy to understand – ideal for help pages, glossaries, FAQs, and documentation

Conclusion

The definition list structure in HTML provides a semantic and readable way to prevent terms with their meanings. Using <dl>, <dt>, and <dd>, you can create well – organized content that’s both user – friendly and easy for search engines to interpret.