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Domain name glossary: terms explained simply

Every domain term you're likely to meet, in plain English.

Auth code (EPP code)A password from your current registrar that lets you transfer a domain to another registrar.
Auto-renewA setting that renews your domain automatically before it expires.
BackorderA request to grab a domain the moment it becomes available after expiring.
ccTLDCountry-code top-level domain, like .in (India), .uk or .au.
CNAME recordA DNS record that points one name to another name, like www to your main domain.
DNSDomain Name System: the internet's phone book that turns names into IP addresses.
DNSSECA security extension that protects DNS answers from being forged.
Domain parkingShowing a placeholder or ad page on a domain that has no website yet.
DropWhen an expired domain is deleted and becomes available to register again.
EscrowA neutral service that holds the money until a domain sale is completed safely.
Expiry dateThe date your registration ends unless you renew.
Forwarding (redirect)Sending visitors from one domain to another address automatically.
gTLDGeneric top-level domain, like .com, .net, .org, .online or .store.
Grace periodTime after expiry when you can still renew at the normal price, typically a few weeks.
ICANNThe organisation that coordinates the global domain system and accredits registrars for generic domains.
IDNInternationalized domain name, written in non-Latin scripts, such as .भारत.
IP addressThe numeric address of a computer on the internet.
KYCKnow Your Customer: identity verification NIXI requires for .in domain owners.
MX recordA DNS record that says which server receives email for your domain.
Name serversServers that hold your domain's DNS records; you change them to point your domain at a host.
NIXINational Internet Exchange of India, the registry that runs .in.
Premium domainA name the registry or owner prices higher because it's short or valuable.
PropagationThe time (minutes to 24 hours) for DNS changes to reach everyone.
RDAPThe modern replacement for WHOIS, used to look up registration data.
Redemption periodA period after the grace period when an expired domain can be restored for an extra fee.
RegistrantThe legal owner of a domain registration: make sure it's you.
RegistrarA company accredited to sell domain registrations, like GoDaddy or BigRock.
Registrar lockA setting that stops your domain being transferred without your approval.
RegistryThe organisation that runs an extension, like NIXI for .in or Verisign for .com.
Second-level domainThe part right before the extension, like sharmasweets in sharmasweets.in.
SSL certificateEnables https:// and the padlock; most hosts provide one free.
SubdomainA prefix you create, like shop.yourname.in.
TLDTop-level domain: the ending, like .in or .com.
TransferMoving a domain from one registrar to another.
TXT recordA DNS record holding text, used to verify ownership and set email security (SPF, DMARC).
TyposquattingRegistering misspellings of popular names to catch mistyped traffic. Avoid it; it can lead to legal disputes.
UDRP / INDRPDispute processes for taking a domain from someone who registered it in bad faith. INDRP is India's version for .in.
WHOISThe traditional lookup for who registered a domain and when.

Last updated October 18, 2026.

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