---
title: p.dl.entry, p.dl.head, p.dl.term, p.dl.definition
description: "## Syntax **p.dl.entry** **p.dl.head** **p.dl.term**(level) level nesting level for the list, any integer **p.dl.definition**(level) level nesting level for the list, any integer ## Purpose A definition list is a list of terms and corresponding definitions. Here is a sample list…"
url: "https://www.stilo.com/docs/migrate/lists/p-dl-entry-p-dl-head-p-dl-term-p-dl-definition/"
updated: "2021-04-28"
category: Annotations / Lists
tags:
  - Annotations
---

# p.dl.entry, p.dl.head, p.dl.term, p.dl.definition

## Syntax

**p.dl.entry**

**p.dl.head**

**p.dl.term**(level)

level

nesting level for the list, any integer

**p.dl.definition**(level)

level

nesting level for the list, any integer

## Purpose

A definition list is a list of terms and corresponding definitions.

Here is a sample list with a header:

Term - Definition
 IO
 Input Output
 FIFO
 First In First Out
 LIFO
 Last In First Out
 SQL
 Structured Query Language
 TTY
 Teletype

Since the terms and definitions are in different paragraphs, you will need to use the annotations *p.dl.term()* and *p.dl.definition()* to mark up the paragraphs. You can also use the annotation *p.dl.head* for the header line.

This is what your rules may look like.

[![Rules for paragraph-level definition list terms and definitionsRules for paragraph-level definition list header](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-paragraph-style-annotation.png)](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-paragraph-style-annotation.png)[![](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-header-paragraph-annotation.png)](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-header-paragraph-annotation.png)

Your output may look like this.

```
<dl>
  <dlhead>
    <dthd>Term - Definition</dthd>
  </dlhead>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>IO</dt>
    <dd><p>Input Output</p></dd>
  </dlentry>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>FIFO</dt>
    <dd><p>First In First Out</p></dd>
  </dlentry>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>LIFO</dt>
    <dd><p>Last In First Out</p></dd>
  </dlentry>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>SQL</dt>
    <dd><p>Structured Query Language</p></dd>
  </dlentry>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>TTY</dt>
    <dd><p>Teletype</p></dd>
  </dlentry>
</dl>
```

Definition lists can also be nested, as in this example below.

Computer peripherals

Electronic equipment connected, usually by cable, to the CPU of a computer. Such devices include:

Keyboard

A set of keys used to input text and numbers into a computer.

Mouse

A hand-controlled pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion

Monitor

A screen on which the computer’s output is displayed

Touchscreen

A touch-sensitive screen that can act as both input and output for a system

CPU

Central Processing Unit

This is what your rules may look like.

[![Rules for nested definition list](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-nested-list-annotation.png)](https://www.stilo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/definition-list-nested-list-annotation.png)

This is what your output may look like.

```
<dl>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>Computer peripherals</dt>
    <dd><p>Electronic equipment connected, usually
    by cable, to the CPU of a computer. Such devices include:
        </p>
        <dl>
          <dlentry>
            <dt>Keyboard</dt>
            <dd>
               <p>A set of keys used to input text and 
                  numbers into a computer.</p>
            </dd>
          </dlentry>
          <dlentry>
            <dt>Mouse</dt>
            <dd>
              <p>A hand-controlled pointing device that detects 
                 two-dimensional motion</p>
            </dd>
          </dlentry>
          <dlentry>
            <dt>Monitor</dt>
            <dd>
              <p>A screen on which the computer’s output is displayed</p>
            </dd>
          </dlentry>
          <dlentry>
            <dt>Touchscreen</dt>
            <dd>
              <p>A touch-sensitive screen that can act as both input 
                 and output for a system</p>
            </dd>
          </dlentry>
        </dl>
    </dd>
  </dlentry>
  <dlentry>
    <dt>CPU</dt>
    <dd>
      <p>Central Processing Unit</p>
    </dd>
  </dlentry>
</dl>
```