Definition List (<dl>
, <dt>
, <dd>
)
A Definition List in HTML is used to display a list of terms and their corresponding descriptions. It is commonly used for glossaries, dictionaries, FAQs, or to present metadata.
It consists of three main tags:
-
<dl>
(Definition List): The container that holds the entire list. -
<dt>
(Definition Term): Defines the term or name. -
<dd>
(Definition Description): Provides the definition or explanation of the term.
Example:
<h3>Technical Terms</h3>
<dl>
<dt>HTML</dt>
<dd>- A markup language for creating web pages.</dd>
<dt>CSS</dt>
<dd>- A stylesheet language for designing web pages.</dd>
<dt>JavaScript</dt>
<dd>- A programming language to add interactivity.</dd>
</dl>
Output :
Nested Lists
A nested list means placing one list inside another.
This is useful for showing categories with subcategories.
Example:
<h3>Subjects</h3>
<ul>
<li>Science
<ol>
<li>Physics</li>
<li>Chemistry</li>
<li>Biology</li>
</ol>
</li>
<li>Mathematics</li>
<li>English</li>
</ul>
Output :
Quick Comparison Table
List Type | Tag(s) Used | Purpose | Example Use |
---|---|---|---|
Ordered List | <ol> <li> | Numbered items | Steps, rankings |
Unordered List | <ul> <li> | Bulleted items | Features, groceries |
Definition List | <dl> <dt> <dd> | Term + definition | Glossary, FAQ |
Nested List | <ul>/<ol> inside <li> | Hierarchical lists | Menus, outlines |