HTML Tutorial

HTML Definition Lists

HTML Definition Lists (<dl>) are used to define terms and provide their definitions. This is particularly useful when you want to present information in a structured way, such as glossaries or dictionaries. In this tutorial, we’ll cover the basics of creating definition lists in HTML.

Understanding the Structure of a Definition List

A definition list consists of three main elements:

  • <dl>: This is the container element that holds the entire definition list.
  • <dt>: This stands for “definition term” and is used to define the term being described.
  • <dd>: This stands for “definition description” and contains the actual definition of the term.

Creating the Definition List Container

To start a definition list, you use the <dl> element. It acts as a wrapper for the entire list.

Here’s an example:

<dl>
  <!-- Definition terms and descriptions will go here -->
</dl>

Adding Definition Terms

Inside the <dl> element, you use the <dt> element to define terms. Each <dt> is followed by a corresponding <dd> element for the definition.

Example:

<dl>
  <dt>HTML</dt>
  <dd>HyperText Markup Language</dd>

  <dt>CSS</dt>
  <dd>Cascading Style Sheets</dd>

  <!-- You can add more terms and definitions as needed -->
</dl>
Try It Yourself

Nesting Definition Lists

You can also nest definition lists within one another to represent hierarchical relationships.

Example:

<dl>
  <dt>Web Technologies</dt>
  <dd>
    <dl>
      <dt>HTML</dt>
      <dd>HyperText Markup Language</dd>

      <dt>CSS</dt>
      <dd>Cascading Style Sheets</dd>
    </dl>
  </dd>

  <!-- You can add more top-level terms and definitions as needed -->
</dl>
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Styling Definition Lists with CSS

You can use CSS to style your definition lists to enhance their visual presentation. For instance, you can add margins, colors, or other styles to make them more appealing.

Example:

<style>
    dl {
      margin-bottom: 20px;
    }

    dt {
      font-weight: bold;
    }

    dd {
      margin-left: 20px;
    }
</style>
<dl>
    <dt>HTML</dt>
    <dd>HyperText Markup Language</dd>
    
    <dt>CSS</dt>
    <dd>Cascading Style Sheets</dd>
</dl>
Try It Yourself

Feel free to experiment with this example and customize it to suit your specific needs. Definition lists are a versatile way to present information in a clear and organized manner on your web pages.