ARIA: term role

The term role can be used for a word or phrase with an optional corresponding definition.

Description

The term role can be used for a word or phrase with an optional corresponding definition. It is equivalent in semantics to the HTML <dfn> element and the definition term (<dt>) element within a definition list (<dl> ).

The term role is used to explicitly identify a word or phrase for which a definition has been provided by the author or is expected to be provided by the user. If there is an existing definition, or a form or form control to enter a definition, authors SHOULD set aria-details to point to the related element.

Don't use the role="term" on interactive elements like links because it can interfere with assistive technology users ability to interact with the element. Also, the term itself is the accessible name, so do not use aria-label or aria-labelledby.

Warning: The accessible name should be the term itself, so DO NOT use aria-label or aria-labelledby.

Associated WAI-ARIA roles, states, and properties

None.

Keyboard interactions

None.

Required JavaScript features

None.

Examples

<p>
  <span role="term">Mansplaining</span>, <span role="definition">a portmanteau of "man" and "explain", is the patronizing act of explaining without being asked to do so, to someone already learned on the topic, often after someone has already explained it</span>. 
</p>

Including better semantics, the above could also be written:

<p>
  <dfn role="term">Mansplaining</dfn>, <span role="definition">a portmanteau of "man" and "explain", is the patronizing act of explaining without being asked to do so, to someone already learned on the topic, often after someone has already explained it</span>. 
</p>

or without any ARIA (but possibly not how you want it presented)

<dl>
  <dt>Mansplaining</dt>
  <dd>A portmanteau of "man" and "explain", is the patronizing act of explaining without being asked to do so, to someone already learned on the topic, often after someone has already explained it.</dd> 
</dl>

Accessibility Concerns

Don't use the role="term" on interactive elements such as links as it can interfere with the assistive technology user's ability to interact with the element.

Best Practices

Allow the term itself to define the accessible name. Do not use aria-label or aria-labelledby.

Prefer HTML

Specifications

Specification Status
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) 1.1
The definition of 'ARIA: term role' in that specification.
Recommendation
WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices 1.2
The definition of 'term role' in that specification.
Working Draft

See Also