HTML <dt> element

The <dt> element represents a name or term inside a <dl> description list. It is the part being described, defined, answered, or given a value.

In a glossary, the <dt> is the word being explained. In a metadata list, it is the label. In a question-and-answer list, it can be the question. The exact wording depends on the kind of association being made.

Each group begins with one or more <dt> elements, followed by one or more <dd> elements giving their descriptions or values. The names come first, then the descriptions.

Several <dt> elements can appear before one <dd> when several names share the same description. This is useful for synonyms, aliases, or equivalent labels.

A <dt> belongs directly inside <dl>, or inside a <div> that groups an entry directly within the list. It can contain text and markup such as links, abbreviations, or emphasis, but must not contain headings, sectioning elements, <header>, or <footer>.

The <dt> element identifies a name; it does not by itself declare that the name is being defined. In a glossary, place <dfn> around the term inside <dt> to mark that defining occurrence. The example below does this for selector, with its definition in the following <dd>.

Attributes: GLOBALS.

Typical layout:
<dl>
  <dt><dfn>selector</dfn></dt>
  <dd>The part of a CSS rule that chooses elements.</dd>
</dl>

Visual representation: