Breadcrumb Glossary Definition

Term Breadcrumb
Definition

A breadcrumb is a navigation trail that shows a user's current location within a website, application, or documentation hierarchy.

Breadcrumb is a Web or Internet protocol concept used when clients and servers exchange requests, responses, metadata, or real-time messages.
Context & Usage

Documentation portals and online help systems use breadcrumbs to help readers understand context and move back to broader sections. Breadcrumb labels must match the information architecture so users can orient themselves quickly.

Additional Resource: Smashing Magazine breadcrumb navigation article.

Developers, administrators, and security teams use this concept when troubleshooting traffic, designing APIs, configuring servers, or documenting Web behavior.

Related concepts include Hypertext Transfer Protocol and URL.

Additional Resource: MDN Web Docs Glossary.
Categories Technical Writing and Documentation, Software Development and Programming, Web, Database, Cloud, and DevOps Technologies, Enterprise Applications, CRM, and Contact Center Systems, Artificial Intelligence, General Technology and Miscellaneous