BDSM is a number of typically erotic techniques or roleplaying involving bondage, willpower, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, as well as other connected interpersonal dynamics. Provided the wide selection of methods, a few of which may be engaged in by individuals who usually do not contemplate themselves to be practising BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM Group or subculture normally is claimed to depend upon self-identification and shared practical experience.

The initialism BDSM is 1st recorded within a Usenet publish from 1991, and is interpreted as a mix of the abbreviations B/D (Bondage and Self-control), D/s (Dominance and submission), and S/M (Sadism and Masochism). BDSM is now used to be a capture-all phrase covering a wide range of things to do, kinds of interpersonal relationships, and distinctive subcultures. BDSM communities commonly welcome any individual having a non-normative streak who identifies with the Local community; this will include cross-dressers, overall body modification fanatics, animal roleplayers, rubber fetishists, and others.

Functions and relationships in BDSM will often be characterized by the members' taking on roles which have been complementary and entail inequality of power; As a result, the idea of knowledgeable consent of both the companions is essential. The phrases submissive and dominant are often employed to differentiate these roles: the dominant spouse ("dom") usually takes psychological Handle around the submissive ("sub"). The terms top rated and base may also be made use of; the top could be the instigator of an action when the bottom may be the receiver with the action. The two sets of phrases are subtly unique: for instance, an individual may opt to act as base to another human being, for instance, by currently being whipped, purely recreationally, with none implication of being psychologically dominated, and submissives could possibly be purchased to therapeutic massage their dominant associates. Although the bottom carries out the action and the very best receives it, they have got not essentially switched roles.

The abbreviations sub and dom are frequently utilized as an alternative to submissive and dominant. From time to time the feminine-unique terms mistress, domme, and dominatrix are utilized to describe a dominant lady, as opposed to the often gender-neutral expression dom. People who transform concerning top/dominant and bottom/submissive roles—whether or not from connection to romantic relationship or in a presented romance—are identified as switches. The specific definition of roles and self-identification is a typical matter of debate amid BDSM individuals.