A definition list pairs one or more terms with their definitions. The term appears on a line of its own; each definition follows on the next line prefixed with : and a space. This structure maps to the HTML <dl>, <dt>, and <dd> elements and is used for glossaries, FAQs, and reference lists.
Sourdough
: A bread leavened by a fermented starter rather than commercial yeast.
Biga
: An Italian pre-ferment made from flour, water, and a small amount of yeast, used to develop flavour.
Hydration
: The ratio of water to flour in a dough, expressed as a percentage.
: A higher hydration produces a more open crumb structure but a stickier, harder-to-handle dough.
Sourdough : A bread leavened by a fermented starter rather than commercial yeast.
Biga : An Italian pre-ferment made from flour, water, and a small amount of yeast, used to develop flavour.
Hydration : The ratio of water to flour in a dough, expressed as a percentage. : A higher hydration produces a more open crumb structure but a stickier, harder-to-handle dough.
Best Practice
- Use definition lists for genuine term–definition relationships — glossaries, Q&A sections, and reference lookups.
- A single term can have multiple definitions by repeating the
:prefix on consecutive lines. - Do not use definition lists as a style substitute for bold labels followed by text; use a description or the correct semantic structure for the content type.
Notes
Multiple Terms, One Definition
A single definition can follow multiple terms:
Autumn
Fall
: The season between summer and winter.
Blank Lines Between Entries
Adding a blank line between entries produces a 'loose' definition list where each definition is wrapped in a <p> tag, adding vertical space. Omitting blank lines produces a tight list. Either is valid — choose based on the length and density of your entries.
Markdown Flavour Support
Not in CommonMark or GFM; supported by Pandoc, MultiMarkdown, and Kramdown.
Flavour Support Detail
| Flavour | Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original Markdown | No | Not defined in the original spec. |
| CommonMark | No | Not part of the CommonMark spec. |
| GitHub Flavored Markdown | No | Not supported. |
| Pandoc Markdown | Yes | Supported via the definition_lists extension, enabled by default. |
Practical Examples
- Glossary page for a baking blog: Define technical terms once in a dedicated glossary so posts can link to it instead of re-explaining each term.
## Glossary
Autolyse
: A rest period after mixing flour and water, before adding salt and yeast, that allows gluten to develop with less kneading.
Lamination
: A technique of folding fat into dough in layers, used for croissants and pains au chocolat.
Proofing
: The final rise of shaped dough before baking.
Glossary
Autolyse : A rest period after mixing flour and water, before adding salt and yeast, that allows gluten to develop with less kneading.
Lamination : A technique of folding fat into dough in layers, used for croissants and pains au chocolat.
Proofing : The final rise of shaped dough before baking.
- FAQ section on an events page: Present questions as terms and answers as definitions for a clean, structured Q&A layout.
## Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the event held?
: The main hall at the village community centre, St Mary's Road.
Is parking available?
: Yes — the car park behind the hall holds 40 cars and is free on Saturdays.
Can I bring children?
: Absolutely. The event is family-friendly and under-16s enter free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the event held? : The main hall at the village community centre, St Mary's Road.
Is parking available? : Yes — the car park behind the hall holds 40 cars and is free on Saturdays.
Can I bring children? : Absolutely. The event is family-friendly and under-16s enter free.
- Plant reference card in a gardening journal: List each plant with its key care details as definitions for quick reference.
Lavender (*Lavandula angustifolia*)
: Full sun. Well-drained soil. Prune after flowering. Hardy to −15°C.
Rosemary (*Salvia rosmarinus*)
: Full sun. Sandy or chalky soil. Drought tolerant once established.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) : Full sun. Well-drained soil. Prune after flowering. Hardy to −15°C.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) : Full sun. Sandy or chalky soil. Drought tolerant once established.