When to use definition lists
Definition lists, created using the DL element, generally consist of a series of term/definition pairs (although definition lists may have other applications).
Thus, when advertising a product, one might use a definition list:
- Lower cost
- The new version of this product costs significantly less than the previous one!
- Easier to use
- We’ve changed the product so that it’s much easier to use!
- Safe for kids
- You can leave your kids alone in a room with this product and they won’t get hurt (not a guarantee).
Lists may also be nested and different list types may be used together, as in the following example, which is a definition list that contains an unordered list (the ingredients) and an ordered list (the procedure):
- The ingredients:
-
- 100 g. flour
- 10 g. sugar
- 1 cup water
- 2 eggs
- salt, pepper
- The procedure:
-
- Mix dry ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour in wet ingredients.
- Mix for 10 minutes.
- Bake for one hour at 300 degrees.
- Notes:
- The recipe may be improved by adding raisins.
The exact presentation of the three list types depends on the user agent. Try not to use lists purely as a means of indenting text.
This is a stylistic issue and is properly handled by style sheets. Using padding, margin, or text-indent.
