meta tag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical, Professional
Quick answer
What does “meta tag” mean?
An HTML element that provides metadata about a web page.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An HTML element that provides metadata about a web page.
A snippet of code in a web page's header that describes content for search engines, social media platforms, or browsers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences. Spelling of related terms may vary (e.g., 'optimise' vs. 'optimize').
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equal frequency in professional and technical contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “meta tag” in a Sentence
VERB + meta tag (add, insert, write)ADJECTIVE + meta tag (relevant, accurate, missing)meta tag + VERB (describes, contains, helps)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in digital marketing and SEO strategy meetings.
Academic
Appears in computer science, information studies, or media communications papers.
Everyday
Rarely used outside web-related professions or hobbies.
Technical
Core term in web development, search engine optimization, and content management systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meta tag”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meta tag”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meta tag”
- Using 'meta tag' to refer to any HTML tag (it's specific to the <meta> element).
- Misspelling as 'metatag' (standard form is two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard to write it as two separate words: 'meta tag'.
The meta description tag is often considered the most important for influencing user clicks from search engine results pages (SERPs), though the title tag is also critical.
Not directly for most keywords. Their primary role is to accurately describe content for search engines and entice users to click the link in search results.
Yes, a single webpage typically uses several different meta tags (for description, keywords, viewport settings, open graph data, etc.).
An HTML element that provides metadata about a web page.
Meta tag is usually technical, professional in register.
Meta tag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmetə tæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmetə tæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a META TAG as a name TAG for your webpage's data – it tells search engines what your page is about.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIBRARY CARD CATALOGUE ENTRY for a web page.
Practice
Quiz
Where is a meta tag typically placed in an HTML document?