![4.6 abbr, cite, dfn](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8fiuCOjn5x0n2XDNkQP26p3FcEtJCpVPkg7B48NbhkBavdZb4fkTfLRv53NtX7tm56f-Gb_ii-Kq8GPRzAljMzGpMpQeMlSVv5AX-bA1YNDYnJUimPprUmR3us6qq4fglEqEc3BKat7GAfzWhUaBuVBA1BMUvVY7mgnQ_hxRRKpml3sVFY3s0cia4zc/s1600-rw/too-muchv2.png)
Table of Contents
In HTML, the elements <abbr>, <cite>, and <dfn> are used to define and indicate specific types of content within a document, such as abbreviations, citations, and definitions.
1. <abbr> Element
The <abbr> element represents an abbreviation or acronym. It is used to mark up abbreviated forms of words or phrases, providing additional context or clarification.
Example:
<p>The <abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> was founded in 1948.</p>
![The abbr](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7PjDsH6zCoEVgIfSoMU9skznxSbsQjo69U3IpUbAqrsNUItin9xOsCw4FBk1ubxLwzXtCLLYecZgA0Ix4m_3kxHOIQTn8pr1vGTmOT4scO66sEWs0Q12geT-c-FlR07XKu6gNZzq29KlW2Tvjwu5KD3T4SEZ2GYzaZFA1Bfd-1xIeIKBVO9UDreTAV4/s1600-rw/Recording%202024-07-03%20070054.gif)
In this example, "WHO" is the abbreviated form, and the title attribute provides the full expansion "World Health Organization" as a tooltip.
2. <cite> Element
The <cite> element defines the title of a work (e.g., a book, a paper, a song) and optionally the author or source from which the title is taken. It is used to mark up citations within text.
Example:
<p>In the article <cite>Lorem Ipsum</cite>, the author discusses the origins of the text.</p>
![The cite](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9QeydEdPB9QY-yBBvRHt0rm5F4bosje7r_adNXiabGaUqlz2qiesMZIGdk1VWMZ_Sfm3v1EhMP_6ygthl0tD5Lsw5gDyM6_8WJ8FeVzkstdVel46YxC4gCuvbVt_N1B0RDBHTin1LRdau-uO-dTPcXNZvaNW4sUnaTdGERDtAtgbxssQbFzkidXFJXA/s1600-rw/Recording%202024-07-03%20070819.gif)
In this example, "Lorem Ipsum" is cited within the <cite> element to indicate the title of the article or work being referenced.
3. <dfn> Element
The <dfn> element represents the defining instance of a term. It is used to mark up the defining instance of a term within a document, typically the first occurrence, to provide its definition or meaning.
Example:
<p>The <dfn>HTML</dfn> stands for HyperText Markup Language.</p>
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSFunPO-V-2YJj9SDvtKBgHknxDefSMAwLIy_CU6OtMy5pY94JFzvhEhihDxq542PHyKyMGVW5XO6y6Y4-kEGiVfa9PN2fxbc1Feedt-ZQONOUhM3LzduM0x2zgt024o3QKzk3OWO-dNImKqNQAYxS1Sg9RWmYG1N7LGoLKmL_dBaFJhjcwXYtpdp-vk/s1600-rw/Recording%202024-07-03%20070952.gif)
In this example, "HTML" is marked up with the <dfn> element to indicate its definition as "HyperText Markup Language".
Summary
These HTML elements—<abbr>, <cite>, and <dfn>—are used to define and provide additional context to abbreviations, citations, and definitions within a document, enhancing accessibility and clarity of content.
To learn more about HTML, click here: HTML