Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# H54: Using the `dfn` element to identify the defining instance of a word

## Applicability

HTML and XHTML

This technique relates to:

- Success Criterion 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)
  - How to Meet 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 3.1.3 (Unusual Words)

## Description

The objective of this technique is to use the `dfn` to mark the use of a word or phrase where it is defined. The `dfn` element is used to indicate the defining instance of the enclosed term. In other words, it marks the occurrence of the term where the term is defined. Note that it encloses the term, not the definition. This technique would be used in combination with G112: Using inline definitions to provide the definition.

## Examples

### Example 1

The following code snippet demonstrates the use of the `dfn` element.

Example Code:

    <p>The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines require that non-text content
    has a text alternative. <dfn>Non-text content</dfn> is content that is not a sequence
    of characters that can be programmatically determined or where the sequence is
    not expressing something in human language; this includes ASCII Art (which is a
    pattern of characters), emoticons, leetspeak (which is character substitution), and
    images representing text .</p>

## Resources

Resources are for information purposes only, no endorsement implied.

- HTML 4.01 DFN Element

## Related Techniques

- G112: Using inline definitions

## Tests

### Procedure

1. Identify all words that are defined inline in the text, that is, where the definition occurs in a sentence near an occurrence of the word.

2. Check that each word that is defined inline is contained in a `dfn` element.

### Expected Results

- Check #2 is true.

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