# HTML <dfn> Tag

## Example

Mark up the defining instance of a term:

<p><dfn>HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>
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## Definition and Usage

The <dfn> tag represents the defining instance of a term in HTML.

The defining instance is often the first use of a term in a document.

The nearest parent of the <dfn> tag must also contain the definition/explanation for the term inside <dfn>.

The term inside the <dfn> tag can be any of the following:

1. The content of the <dfn> element (without a title attribute):

## Example

<p><dfn>HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>
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2. The title attribute of the <dfn> tag:

## Example

<p><dfn title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>
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3. The title attribute of an <abbr> tag inside the <dfn> element:

## Example

<p><dfn><abbr title="HyperText Markup Language">HTML</abbr></dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>
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You can also add an id attribute to the <dfn> element. Then, whenever a term is used, it can refer back to the definition using an <a> tag:

## Example

<p><dfn id="html-def">HTML</dfn> is the standard markup language for creating web pages.</p>
<p>This is some text...</p>
<p>This is some text...</p>
<p>Learn <a href="#html-def">HTML</a> now.</p>
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## Browser Support

Element |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
<dfn> | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes

## Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

NONE.

## Global Attributes

The <dfn> tag also supports the Global Attributes in HTML.

## Event Attributes

The <dfn> tag also supports the Event Attributes in HTML.

## Related Pages

HTML tutorial: HTML Quotation Elements

HTML DOM reference: DFN Object

## Default CSS Settings

Most browsers will display the <dfn> element with the following default values:

## Example

dfn {
font-style: italic;
}
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