<dfn>

The HTML <dfn> element signifies the term being defined in a document, commonly used with definitions to emphasize the described term.

<dfn> Tag

The <dfn> HTML element identifies a term that is being defined. It should be used within a complete definition statement, such as:

  • A paragraph containing the definition (often inside a <p> element)
  • A <dt>/<dd> pair
  • The closest section ancestor of the <dfn> element

Syntax

index.html
<dfn>Term</dfn>

<dfn> Demo

The dfn Element

HTML is the standard markup language for creating web pages.

index.html
<h1>The dfn Element</h1>
<p><dfn>HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>

Definition and Usage

The <dfn> tag, short for "definition element," is used to highlight a term that will be defined within the surrounding content.

The closest parent element of the <dfn> tag should include the definition or explanation of the term.

The <dfn> tag marks a term that is being defined within the content. The definition should appear in the nearest parent element to provide context.

Attributes

Conclusion

The <dfn> element in HTML is used to indicate a term that is being defined in the content. It should be placed within a complete definition statement, such as a <p> or a <dt>/<dd> pair. This tag enhances content clarity, particularly in educational or technical documents, by highlighting key terms and their definitions.