dt – description list topic
dt
For technical reasons, the title of this article is not the text used to call this API. Instead, use dt
Summary
The dt element indicates a definition term within a definition list (dl).
A ****dt**** (topic) is usually followed by one or more dd (definition) elements. Several consecutive ****dt**** are attributed to the dd element that immediately follows the group.
Overview Table
| Permitted contents | [flow content](/w/index.php?title=html/concepts/flowContent&action=edit&redlink=1), but with no [header](/html/elements/header), [footer](/html/elements/footer), [sectioning content](/w/index.php?title=html/concepts/sectioningContent&action=edit&redlink=1), or [heading content](/w/index.php?title=html/concepts/headingContent&action=edit&redlink=1) descendants. |
|---|---|
| Permitted parents | [dl](/html/elements/dl). |
The example shows a simple definition list with two item/description pairs.
<dl>
<dt>Coffee</dt>
<dd>A popular hot drink.</dd>
<dt>Coca Cola</dt>
<dd>One of the leading brands of a popular cold fizzy drink.</dd>
</dl>
The example shows a definition list with a single item but multiple descriptions for that item.
<dl>
<dt>Coffee</dt>
<dd>A popular hot drink.</dd>
<dd>A mid brown colour</dd>
<dd>A common social invitation</dd>
</dl>
The example shows a definition list with a single description and multiple items fitting that description.
<dl>
<dt>Coffee</dt>
<dt>Tea</dt>
<dt>Vimto (in the North of England)</dt>
<dd>A popular hot drink.</dd>
</dl>
Typical browser default CSS properties for the dt element.
display: block;
Notes
The dt element itself, when used in a dl element, does not indicate that its contents are a term being defined, but this can be indicated using the dfn element.
While HTMLDTElement is the defined DOM interface for this element, most browsers currently use HTMLElement instead.
Related specifications
See also
Other articles
External resources
Attributions
Microsoft Developer Network: [Windows Internet Explorer API reference Article]