An umbrella term for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism in consensual adult activities. It encompasses various practices involving power exchange and physical or psychological stimulation.
Modern English acronym formed from the initial letters of 'Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism.' The term emerged in the late 20th century as communities sought a more comprehensive and less clinical way to describe these practices than earlier medical terminology.
What's fascinating is that BDSM represents one of the most systematic attempts to create safe, consensual frameworks for exploring power dynamics that exist naturally in human relationships. The community developed elaborate protocols, safe words, and ethical guidelines decades before mainstream culture began seriously discussing consent culture.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.