This check finds definition-list content whose <dt> or <dd> elements are not correctly contained by a <dl>, or a <dl> whose direct children do not form valid term-and-description groups.
Why this matters
Correct semantics let browsers and assistive technologies communicate the relationship between a term and its definition. Invalid wrappers can also produce inconsistent DOM repair across browsers.
How to fix it
- Use
<dl>for name-value groups, glossaries, metadata, and other term-description relationships. - Place each
<dt>and its related<dd>elements directly in the list, or use an allowed grouping<div>around complete groups. - Do not use definition-list elements only for visual indentation.
- Use
<ul>or<ol>when the items are not term-description pairs.
When the finding appears across many URLs, fix the shared component or layout that produces it instead of patching generated HTML page by page. Recheck representative templates and responsive states after deployment so the correction does not create a regression elsewhere.
How to verify the fix
Inspect the final DOM after the framework renders it and validate that every term has an appropriate description within the same list. Confirm the reading order remains logical without CSS.
Keep before-and-after evidence for the affected URL, original output, correction, and verification method. If markup changes after load, test consent states, localization, responsive variants, and client-side navigation because the initial HTML and rendered DOM can differ.