Definition Lists

If you need it, HTML has one more type of list available to you: the definition list, which uses the <dl> tag. Rather than using the usual <li> tag to specify the items in the list, this type of list uses the <dt> tag (for definition terms) and the <dd> tag for their definitions. Following is an example of the HTML for a definition list, and Figure 6.3 shows how the Web browser formats a definition list.

<dl><dt>The Definition Term</dt> <dd>Is defined below the term.</dd></dl>

Figure 6.3. A definition list displayed in the browser.

Table 6.2 lists the HTML tags that were discussed in this lesson.

Table 6.2. HTML Tags Used in This Lesson

HTML Tag	Closing	Description of Use
<dl>	</dl>	Definition list.
<li>	</li>	List item. Used with <ol> and <ul> tags.
<dt>	</dt>	Definition term. The list item of a <dl>.
<dd>	</dd>	Definition data. Describes definition terms.
<ol>	</ol>	Ordered, or numbered/lettered, list.
<ul>	</ul>	Unordered, or bulleted, list.

In this lesson, you've learned:

• HTML recognizes three different list types: unordered (bulleted), ordered (numbered), and definition.

• Rather than the default bullet style (a solid circle), style sheets enable you to select three other bullet types: a square, a hollow circle, or an image of your own.

• The value attribute of the <ol> tag sets the beginning number for your list.