<dfn>

Summary

The HTML <dfn> element (or HTML Definition Element) represents the defining instance of a term.

• Content categories Flow content, phrasing content, palpable content.
• Permitted content Phrasing content, but no <dfn> element must be a descendant.
• Tag omission None, both the starting and ending tag are mandatory.
• Permitted parent elements Any element that accepts phrasing content.
• DOM interface HTMLElement

Attributes

This element includes the global attributes.

In HTML5, the title attribute has special meaning, as noted above.

Examples

The following examples are valid in HTML5.

<!-- Define "The Internet" -->
<p><dfn id="def-internet">The Internet</dfn> is a global system of interconnected networks that use the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide.</p>

Later in the same document:

<dl>
  <!-- Define "World-Wide Web" and reference definition for "the Internet" -->
  <dt>
    <dfn>
      <abbr title="World-Wide Web">WWW</abbr>
    </dfn>
  </dt>
  <dd>The World-Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed on <a href="#def-internet">the Internet</a>.</dd>
</dl>

Result

The Internet is a global system of interconnected networks that use the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide.

WWW

The World-Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed on the Internet.

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Elements related to definition lists: <dl>, <dt>, <dd>
• <abbr>