Skip to content

Technique H28:Providing definitions for abbreviations by using the abbr element

About this Technique

This technique relates to 3.1.4: Abbreviations (Sufficient when used with G102: Providing the expansion or explanation of an abbreviation).

This technique applies to HTML.

Description

The objective of this technique is to provide expansions or definitions for abbreviations by using the abbr element. It is always appropriate to use the abbr element for any abbreviation, including acronyms and initialisms.

Examples

Example 1: Using abbr element to expand abbreviations

<p>Sugar is commonly sold in 5 <abbr title="pound">lb.</abbr> bags.</p>
<p>Welcome to the <abbr title="World Wide Web">WWW</abbr>!</p>

Example 2: Using dfn and abbr element to define abbreviations

<p>Tasini 
  <dfn id="etal"><abbr title="and others">et al.</abbr></dfn>
  <abbr title="versus">v.</abbr>
  The New York Times <abbr title="and others">et al.</abbr> is the landmark lawsuit 
  brought by members of the National Writers Union against ...
</p>

Example 3: Using the abbr element to expand an acronym

<p>Recent updates to the <abbr title="Cascading Style Sheets">CSS</abbr> color module ...</p>

Example 4: Using the abbr element to expand an initialism

<p><abbr title="British Broadcasting Corporation">BBC</abbr></p>

Related Resources

No endorsement implied.

Tests

Procedure

  1. Check that an expansion or definition is provided for each abbreviation via abbr.

Expected Results

  • Check #1 is true.
Back to Top