BDSM is a range of normally erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, self-discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and various similar interpersonal dynamics. Given the big selection of tactics, many of which can be engaged in by folks who never take into consideration them selves being practising BDSM, inclusion from the BDSM Local community or subculture usually is said to depend on self-identification and shared experience.

The initialism BDSM is first recorded inside of a Usenet article from 1991, which is interpreted as a combination of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Discipline), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM has become applied being a catch-all phrase masking a wide array of actions, forms of interpersonal interactions, and unique subcultures. BDSM communities usually welcome any one that has a non-normative streak who identifies With all the community; this could incorporate cross-dressers, human body modification enthusiasts, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and Many others.

Pursuits and relationships in BDSM will often be characterized via the members' taking on roles which might be complementary and include inequality of ability; Hence, the thought of knowledgeable consent of both of those the companions is critical. The phrases submissive and dominant will often be employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant spouse ("dom") can take psychological Manage about the submissive ("sub"). The terms best and base can also be applied; the top may be the instigator of the action although The underside is the receiver in the motion. The 2 sets of terms are subtly distinct: such as, somebody may possibly prefer to act as bottom to another man or woman, for example, by getting whipped, purely recreationally, with no implication of remaining psychologically dominated, and submissives might be requested to massage their dominant companions. Even though the base carries out the motion and the top receives it, they've got not automatically switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are commonly made use of as opposed to submissive and dominant. Often the feminine-precise conditions mistress, domme, and dominatrix are made use of to explain a dominant woman, rather than the occasionally gender-neutral phrase dom. Individuals who modify amongst prime/dominant and base/submissive roles—irrespective of whether from relationship to relationship or within a offered partnership—are known as switches. The precise definition of roles and self-identification is a common subject of discussion among the BDSM contributors.