BDSM is several different normally erotic methods or roleplaying involving bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and also other linked interpersonal dynamics. Specified the big selection of techniques, several of which can be engaged in by those who will not look at by themselves to get practising BDSM, inclusion inside the BDSM Neighborhood or subculture frequently is alleged to count on self-identification and shared practical experience.

The initialism BDSM is initially recorded in the Usenet submit from 1991, and it is interpreted as a combination of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Willpower), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is currently utilized as a capture-all phrase covering a wide range of things to do, sorts of interpersonal associations, and distinct subcultures. BDSM communities frequently welcome everyone using a non-normative streak who identifies Using the Group; this might consist of cross-dressers, system modification lovers, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Other people.

Things to do and associations in BDSM tend to be characterised through the contributors' taking up roles that are complementary and require inequality of energy; So, the concept of educated consent of the two the associates is crucial. The conditions submissive and dominant tend to be applied to distinguish these roles: the dominant lover ("dom") requires psychological Regulate more than the submissive ("sub"). The phrases major and bottom also are utilized; the highest is definitely the instigator of an motion though the bottom would be the receiver of the action. The two sets of phrases are subtly different: as an example, another person may elect to work as base to a different individual, by way of example, by remaining whipped, purely recreationally, without any implication of becoming psychologically dominated, and submissives could possibly be purchased to therapeutic massage their dominant partners. Although the bottom carries out the action and the highest gets it, they may have not essentially switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are often employed in place of submissive and dominant. In some cases the feminine-specific terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilized to describe a dominant lady, as an alternative to the from time to time gender-neutral time period dom. People who transform concerning top/dominant and base/submissive roles—whether or not from connection to romantic relationship or in a presented romance—are identified as switches. The exact definition of roles and self-identification is a typical matter of debate amongst BDSM individuals.