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DefinedTerm

A Schema.org Type

This term is in the "new" area - implementation feedback and adoption from applications and websites can help improve our definitions.
A word, name, acronym, phrase, etc. with a formal definition. Often used in the context of category or subject classification, glossaries or dictionaries, product or creative work types, etc. Use the name property for the term being defined, use termCode if the term has an alpha-numeric code allocated, use description to provide the definition of the term.
PropertyExpected TypeDescription
Properties from DefinedTerm
inDefinedTermSet DefinedTermSet  or
URL
A DefinedTermSet that contains this term.
termCode Text A code that identifies this DefinedTerm within a DefinedTermSet.
Properties from Thing
additionalType Text  or
URL
An additional type for the item, typically used for adding more specific types from external vocabularies in microdata syntax. This is a relationship between something and a class that the thing is in. Typically the value is a URI-identified RDF class, and in this case corresponds to the use of rdf:type in RDF. Text values can be used sparingly, for cases where useful information can be added without their being an appropriate schema to reference. In the case of text values, the class label should follow the schema.org style guide.
alternateName Text An alias for the item.
description Text  or
TextObject
A description of the item.
disambiguatingDescription Text A sub property of description. A short description of the item used to disambiguate from other, similar items. Information from other properties (in particular, name) may be necessary for the description to be useful for disambiguation.
identifier PropertyValue  or
Text  or
URL
The identifier property represents any kind of identifier for any kind of Thing, such as ISBNs, GTIN codes, UUIDs etc. Schema.org provides dedicated properties for representing many of these, either as textual strings or as URL (URI) links. See background notes for more details.
image ImageObject  or
URL
An image of the item. This can be a URL or a fully described ImageObject.
mainEntityOfPage CreativeWork  or
URL
Indicates a page (or other CreativeWork) for which this thing is the main entity being described. See background notes for details.
Inverse property: mainEntity
name Text The name of the item.
potentialAction Action Indicates a potential Action, which describes an idealized action in which this thing would play an 'object' role.
sameAs URL URL of a reference Web page that unambiguously indicates the item's identity. E.g. the URL of the item's Wikipedia page, Wikidata entry, or official website.
subjectOf CreativeWork  or
Event
A CreativeWork or Event about this Thing.
Inverse property: about
url URL URL of the item.

Instances of DefinedTerm may appear as a value for the following properties
PropertyOn TypesDescription
assesses CreativeWork  or
EducationEvent  or
LearningResource
The item being described is intended to assess the competency or learning outcome defined by the referenced term.
biologicalRole BioChemEntity A role played by the BioChemEntity within a biological context.
certificationIdentification Certification Identifier of a certification instance (as registered with an independent certification body). Typically this identifier can be used to consult and verify the certification instance. See also gs1:certificationIdentification.
chemicalRole ChemicalSubstance  or
MolecularEntity
A role played by the BioChemEntity within a chemical context.
competencyRequired EducationalOccupationalCredential  or
LearningResource
Knowledge, skill, ability or personal attribute that must be demonstrated by a person or other entity in order to do something such as earn an Educational Occupational Credential or understand a LearningResource.
creativeWorkStatus CreativeWork The status of a creative work in terms of its stage in a lifecycle. Example terms include Incomplete, Draft, Published, Obsolete. Some organizations define a set of terms for the stages of their publication lifecycle.
credentialCategory EducationalOccupationalCredential The category or type of credential being described, for example "degree”, “certificate”, “badge”, or more specific term.
educationalLevel CreativeWork  or
EducationEvent  or
EducationalOccupationalCredential  or
LearningResource
The level in terms of progression through an educational or training context. Examples of educational levels include 'beginner', 'intermediate' or 'advanced', and formal sets of level indicators.
educationalUse CreativeWork  or
LearningResource
The purpose of a work in the context of education; for example, 'assignment', 'group work'.
expressedIn Gene Tissue, organ, biological sample, etc in which activity of this gene has been observed experimentally. For example brain, digestive system.
financialAidEligible Course  or
EducationalOccupationalProgram
A financial aid type or program which students may use to pay for tuition or fees associated with the program.
hasDefinedTerm DefinedTermSet  or
Taxon
A Defined Term contained in this term set.
hasMolecularFunction BioChemEntity Molecular function performed by this BioChemEntity; please use PropertyValue if you want to include any evidence.
industry JobPosting The industry associated with the job position.
isInvolvedInBiologicalProcess BioChemEntity Biological process this BioChemEntity is involved in; please use PropertyValue if you want to include any evidence.
isLocatedInSubcellularLocation BioChemEntity Subcellular location where this BioChemEntity is located; please use PropertyValue if you want to include any evidence.
jobTitle Person The job title of the person (for example, Financial Manager).
keywords CreativeWork  or
Event  or
Organization  or
Place  or
Product
Keywords or tags used to describe some item. Multiple textual entries in a keywords list are typically delimited by commas, or by repeating the property.
learningResourceType CreativeWork  or
LearningResource
The predominant type or kind characterizing the learning resource. For example, 'presentation', 'handout'.
measurementMethod DataCatalog  or
DataDownload  or
Dataset  or
Observation  or
PropertyValue  or
StatisticalVariable
A subproperty of measurementTechnique that can be used for specifying specific methods, in particular via MeasurementMethodEnum.
measurementTechnique DataCatalog  or
DataDownload  or
Dataset  or
Observation  or
PropertyValue  or
StatisticalVariable
A technique, method or technology used in an Observation, StatisticalVariable or Dataset (or DataDownload, DataCatalog), corresponding to the method used for measuring the corresponding variable(s) (for datasets, described using variableMeasured; for Observation, a StatisticalVariable). Often but not necessarily each variableMeasured will have an explicit representation as (or mapping to) an property such as those defined in Schema.org, or other RDF vocabularies and "knowledge graphs". In that case the subproperty of variableMeasured called measuredProperty is applicable.

The measurementTechnique property helps when extra clarification is needed about how a measuredProperty was measured. This is oriented towards scientific and scholarly dataset publication but may have broader applicability; it is not intended as a full representation of measurement, but can often serve as a high level summary for dataset discovery.

For example, if variableMeasured is: molecule concentration, measurementTechnique could be: "mass spectrometry" or "nmr spectroscopy" or "colorimetry" or "immunofluorescence". If the variableMeasured is "depression rating", the measurementTechnique could be "Zung Scale" or "HAM-D" or "Beck Depression Inventory".

If there are several variableMeasured properties recorded for some given data object, use a PropertyValue for each variableMeasured and attach the corresponding measurementTechnique. The value can also be from an enumeration, organized as a MeasurementMetholdEnumeration.
pattern CreativeWork  or
Product
A pattern that something has, for example 'polka dot', 'striped', 'Canadian flag'. Values are typically expressed as text, although links to controlled value schemes are also supported.
physicalRequirement JobPosting A description of the types of physical activity associated with the job. Defined terms such as those in O*net may be used, but note that there is no way to specify the level of ability as well as its nature when using a defined term.
potentialUse ChemicalSubstance  or
MolecularEntity
Intended use of the BioChemEntity by humans.
programType EducationalOccupationalProgram The type of educational or occupational program. For example, classroom, internship, alternance, etc.
sensoryRequirement JobPosting A description of any sensory requirements and levels necessary to function on the job, including hearing and vision. Defined terms such as those in O*net may be used, but note that there is no way to specify the level of ability as well as its nature when using a defined term.
size CreativeWork  or
Product
A standardized size of a product or creative work, specified either through a simple textual string (for example 'XL', '32Wx34L'), a QuantitativeValue with a unitCode, or a comprehensive and structured SizeSpecification; in other cases, the width, height, depth and weight properties may be more applicable.
skills JobPosting  or
Occupation
A statement of knowledge, skill, ability, task or any other assertion expressing a competency that is desired or required to fulfill this role or to work in this occupation.
taxonomicRange BioChemEntity The taxonomic grouping of the organism that expresses, encodes, or in some way related to the BioChemEntity.
teaches CreativeWork  or
EducationEvent  or
LearningResource
The item being described is intended to help a person learn the competency or learning outcome defined by the referenced term.
valueReference PropertyValue  or
QualitativeValue  or
QuantitativeValue
A secondary value that provides additional information on the original value, e.g. a reference temperature or a type of measurement.
variesBy ProductGroup Indicates the property or properties by which the variants in a ProductGroup vary, e.g. their size, color etc. Schema.org properties can be referenced by their short name e.g. "color"; terms defined elsewhere can be referenced with their URIs.

More specific Types

Source

https://github.com/schemaorg/schemaorg/issues/894


Examples

Example 1
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Example notes or example HTML without markup.
Systems Research Engineer at a Software Publishers (NAICS code 511210)
Example encoded as JSON-LD in a HTML script tag.
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org/",
  "@type": "JobPosting",
  "title": "Systems Research Engineer",
  "industry": {
    "@type": "DefinedTerm",
    "termCode": "511210",
    "name": "Software Publishers",
    "url": "https://www.naics.com/naics-code-description/?code=511210",
    "inDefinedTermSet": "NAICS (North American Industry Classification System)"
  }
}
</script>
Structured representation of the JSON-LD example.
Example 2
Copied
Example notes or example HTML without markup.
<div>
   <h1>Library of Congress Resource Type: <b>Manuscript</b></h1>
   Code: <b>Man</b>
</div>
Example encoded as Microdata embedded in HTML.
<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/DefinedTerm">
   <h1>Library of Congress Resource Type: <b><span itemprop="name">Manuscript</span></b></h1>
   Code: <b><span itemprop="termCode">Man</span></b>
   <link itemprop="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/resourceTypes"/>
</div>
Example encoded as RDFa embedded in HTML.
<div vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="DefinedTerm">
   <h1>Library of Congress Resource Type: <b><span property="name">Manuscript</span></b></h1>
   Code: <b><span property="termCode">Man</span></b>
   <link property="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/resourceTypes"/>
</div>
Example encoded as JSON-LD in a HTML script tag.
{
 "@context": "https://schema.org/",
 "@type": "DefinedTerm",
 "termCode": "Man",
 "inDefinedTermSet": "http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/resourceTypes"
}
Structured representation of the JSON-LD example.
Example 3
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Example notes or example HTML without markup.
<div>
	<div>
	 <h1><a href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine">Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary</a></h1>
	</div>
	<div>
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		Name: calendar year<br/>
		Description: The period from January 1st to December 31st, inclusive, of any year.<br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
	</div>
	<div>
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		Name: schema<br/>
		Description: A representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or model.<br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
	</div>
</div>
Example encoded as Microdata embedded in HTML.
<div>
	<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/DefinedTermSet">
	<link itemprop="additionalType" href="https://schema.org/Book">
	 <h1><a itemprop="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine"><span itemprop="name">Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary</span></a></h1>
	</div>
	<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/DefinedTerm">
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		<link itemprop="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/calendar-year"/>
		Name: <span itemprop="name">calendar year</span><br/>
		Description: <span itemprop="description">The period from January 1st to December 31st, inclusive, of any year.</span><br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
		<link itemprop="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine">
	</div>
	<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/DefinedTerm">
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		<link itemprop="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/schema"/>
		Name: <span itemprop="name">schema</span><br/>
		Description: <span itemprop="description">A representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or model.</span><br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
		<link itemprop="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine">
	</div>
</div>
Example encoded as RDFa embedded in HTML.
<div  vocab="https://schema.org/">
	<div typeof="DefinedTermSet Book">
	 <h1><a property="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine"><span property="name">Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary</span></a></h1>
	</div>
	<div typeof="DefinedTerm">
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		<link property="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/calendar-year"/>
		Name: <span property="name">calendar year</span><br/>
		Description: <span property="description">The period from January 1st to December 31st, inclusive, of any year.</span><br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
		<link property="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine">
	</div>
	<div typeof="DefinedTerm">
		<h2>Dictionary term</h2>
		<link propery="url" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/schema"/>
		Name: <span property="name">schema</span><br/>
		Description: <span property="description">A representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or model.</span><br/>
		In Dictionary: Ballentine&apos;s Law Dictionary
		<link property="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine">
	</div>
</div>
Example encoded as JSON-LD in a HTML script tag.
[
	{
		"@context": "https://schema.org/"
	},
	{
		"@type": ["DefinedTermSet","Book"],
		"@id": "http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine",
		"name": "Ballentine's Law Dictionary"
	},
	{
		"@type": "DefinedTerm",
		"@id": "http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/calendar-year",
		"name": "calendar year",
		"description": "The period from January 1st to December 31st, inclusive, of any year.",
		"inDefinedTermSet": "http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine"
	},
	{
		"@type": "DefinedTerm",
		"@id": "http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine/term/schema",
		"name": "schema",
		"description": "A representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or model.",
		"inDefinedTermSet": "http://openjurist.org/dictionary/Ballentine"
	}
]
Structured representation of the JSON-LD example.
Example 4
Copied
Example notes or example HTML without markup.
<div>
	<h1>Occupation Term defined by <a href="http://onetonline.org">O*Net Online</a></h1>
	<h2>51-6042.00 - Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders</h2>
	Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.
</div>
Example encoded as Microdata embedded in HTML.
<div itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/DefinedTerm">
	<h1>Occupation Term defined by <a itemprop="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://onetonline.org">O*Net Online</a></h1>
	<h2><span itemprop="termCode">51-6042.00</span> - <span itemprop="name">Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders</span></h2>
	<span itemprop="description">Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.</span>
</div>
Example encoded as RDFa embedded in HTML.
<div vocab="https://schema.org/" typeof="DefinedTerm">
	<h1>Occupation Term defined by <a property="inDefinedTermSet" href="http://onetonline.org">O*Net Online</a></h1>
	<h2><span property="termCode">51-6042.00</span> - <span property="name">Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders</span></h2>
	<span property="description">Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.</span>
</div>
Example encoded as JSON-LD in a HTML script tag.
{
 "@context": "https://schema.org/",
 "@type": "DefinedTerm",
 "name": "Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders",
 "termCode": "51-6042.00",
 "description": "Operate or tend a variety of machines to join, decorate, reinforce, or finish shoes and shoe parts.",
 "inDefinedTermSet": "http://onetonline.org"
}
Structured representation of the JSON-LD example.