# Ubiquitous language

Copy as Markdown[View as Markdown](/docs/development/guides/domains/ownership-and-language/adding-ubiquitous-language.md)

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**Added in** `eventcatalog@2.16.0`

Ubiquitous Language is a shared language that is used by all stakeholders in a project/domain to improve communication and reduce misunderstandings.

In EventCatalog you can define a dictionary of ubiquitous language terms for your domain, this can help your teams understand the language used in your domain and models used in your architecture.

## Using ubiquitous language in EventCatalog[​](#using-ubiquitous-language-in-eventcatalog "Direct link to Using ubiquitous language in EventCatalog")

To add a ubiquitous language dictionary, create a new file within your domain folder with the name `ubiquitous-language.mdx`.

* `/domains/{Domain Name}/ubiquitous-language.mdx`

The contents of the file should be a list of terms used in your domain.

Each term should have a name, summary, description and icon. The icon is optional and can be used to visually represent the term. You can find a list of icons [here](https://lucide.dev/).

/domains/Orders/ubiquitous-language.md

```
---
dictionary:
  - id: Purchase Order
    name: Purchase Order
    summary: "A mystical document issued by a buyer to a seller, here indicating the types, quantities, and agreed prices for enchanted products or services."
    description: |
      A purchase order (PO) is a magical document that initiates the buying process between mystical entities. It protects both buyer and seller by clearly documenting the transaction details. Key components include:

      - Unique PO number for tracking
      - Detailed item specifications and quantities
      - Agreed prices and payment terms
      - Delivery requirements and timelines
      - Terms and conditions of the purchase

      POs are essential for budget control, audit trails, and inventory management. They help prevent unauthorized purchases and provide a clear record for accounting and reconciliation purposes.
    icon: FileText 
  - id: Order Line
    name: Order Line
    summary: "An individual enchanted item within a purchase order, representing a specific magical product or service being ordered."
    description: |
      Order lines are the fundamental building blocks of any purchase order. Each line represents a distinct item or service and contains critical information for order fulfillment:

      - Product identifier (SKU or part number)
      - Quantity ordered
      - Unit price and total line value
      - Special handling instructions
      - Required delivery date

      Order lines drive warehouse picking operations, shipping processes, and financial calculations. They are essential for tracking partial shipments and managing order modifications.
    icon: ListOrdered
---
```

### Viewing the ubiquitous language in EventCatalog[​](#viewing-the-ubiquitous-language-in-eventcatalog "Direct link to Viewing the ubiquitous language in EventCatalog")

When you add a ubiquitous language dictionary to your domain, it will automatically appear in the sidebar of the domain.

![Example](/assets/images/ubiquitous-lang-sidebar-9f08c4f029fb475bbea1293ac0904032.png) [View demo](https://demo.eventcatalog.dev/docs/domains/Orders/language)

Clicking on a term in the Domain Language explorer will open that term in a new page.