This glossary of BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism) terms defines terms commonly used in the BDSM community. A collar is a common symbol in BDSM. Female bottom in bondage with leather monoglove BDSM is any of a number of related patterns of human sexual behavior. ...

BDSM activities are described as play in BDSM terminology.

The BDSM term is a portmanteau acronym intended to take in all of the following activities: Look up portmanteau word in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

• Bondage and Discipline play (B & D)
• Domination & submission play (D & S) (including "master and slave" role-playing scenarios or ongoing relationship structures)
• Sadism and Masochism (S & M)

A model in bondage cuffs with a leg spreader In the context of BDSM, bondage involves people being tied up or otherwise restrained for pleasure. ... Discipline is the use of rules and punishment to control overt behaviour in BDSM. Punishment can be pain caused physically (such as caning), humiliation caused psychologically (such as a public flagellation) or loss of freedom caused physically (such as chaining the controlee to the foot of a bed, for snoring). ... Domination and submission (also known as Dominance and submission, D&s, Ds or D/s) is a set of psychosexual behaviors, customs and rituals relating to the dominance of one individual over another. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ...

Some BDSM terminology:

• 24/7: A relationship in which protocols are in place continuously.
• Animal transformation fantasy: Fantasy in which the focus is on the sub entering the altered mindspace of a different species, typically a dog, pony or horse.
• Abrasion: Using something rough (such as sandpaper).
• Aftercare: The time after a BDSM scene or play session in which the participants calm down, discuss the previous events and their personal reactions to them, and slowly come back in touch with reality. BDSM often involves an endorphin high and very intense experience, and failure to engage in proper aftercare can lead to subdrop as these return to more everyday levels.
• Ageplay: Usually referring to Daddy/daughter or Mommy/baby role play. Does not usually include or imply aspects of incest, but rather the nurturing relationship of Parent/child or Teacher/student.
• Anal torture: The BDSM practice of inflicting pain on the anus.
• Animal Play: The sub acts or dresses like an animal (puppy, pony, cow, etc.).
• Auctioned off: Dom/me auctions off the Slave to the highest bidder (usually supervised and for temporary use).
• Bad pain: Good pain and bad pain are terms used lightheartedly by BDSM practitioners, signifying that whilst BDSM may include an element (often quite pronounced) consensual pain, there is a purpose to it, and some pain is consented to and accepted whilst other pain is not. "Bad pain" is pain which is outside hard limits, non-mutual or non-valued, not wished for, and of limited or no value in this context.
• BDSM: Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism
• Bondage: Acts involving the physical restraint of a partner. Bondage typically refers to total restraint, however it can be limited to a particular body part, such as Breast bondage.
• Bottom: submissive or one who gives up control, or simply one who receives physical sensation from a Top in a scene.
• Breast bondage: The act of tying female breasts so that they are either flattened against the chest or so that they bulge.
• Breath Control: The Dom controls the sub's breathing.
• Butt plug: Much like a dildo, only shaped slightly differently. The flared base allows for safe anal penetration. They come in a variety of sizes; some can vibrate.
• Chastity: a form of erotic sexual denial or orgasm denial whereby a person is prevented from access to, or stimulation of, their genitals, save at the whim or choice of their partner, usually by means of a device (called a chastity belt or sometimes for men a cock cage) that prevents contact and is controlled by means of a lock by the partner.
• CBT: Cock and ball torture
• Collared: Submissive or slave who is owned, usually (but certainly not exclusively) in a loving intimate relationship. A Dom(me) may have multiple persons collared
• Collaring: The formal acceptance by a dom, of a sub's service. Also the Ceremony when a Dom commits to a sub (much like a wedding or other contract).
• Consent: Mutual agreement to the terms of a scene or ongoing bdsm relationship.
• Consensual non-consensuality: A mutual agreement that within defined limits, or subject to a safe word or other restrictions, and common sense, consent will be given as read without foreknowledge of the exact actions planned. As such, it is a show of trust and understanding and usually undertaken only by partners who know each other well, or otherwise agree to set clear safe limits on their activities.
• Contract: A written-out agreement between the Dom/me & sub. It can be either formal or non, and is usually written after much negotiation by the Dom/me and the sub, outlining what structure, guidelines, rules and boundaries to the relationship are agreed upon by the two . It is NOT legally binding but should be taken seriously.
• DM: Dungeon Monitor, a person who volunteers to supervise the interactions between participants at a play party to ensure their safety.
• Dom: Man who takes control (from Dominant)
• Dominant (Dom/Domme) (also Dominatrix)
• Domme: Female who takes control (contraction of Dominatrix)
• D/s: Domination/submission
• Dungeon: Usually referring to a room or area with BDSM equipment and play space
• Edgeplay: SM play which pushes the limits of the persons involved. This can be particularly dangerous activities such as fire, electricity, or cutting, but often isn't dangerous at all.
• Endorphin rush: Endorphins are the chemicals responsible for the "high" people often get from activities such as sex, or high-risk sports, and is the body's response to heightened or intense experiences of certain kinds. BDSM activities, especially those incorporating a degree of sensation play often cultivate the endorphin rush as part of their "payoff" to the sub. But also see aftercare for the care needed to ensure that subdrop does not occur afterwards as the body returns to normal.
• Erotic sexual denial: keeping another person aroused while delaying or preventing resolution of the feelings, to keep them in a continual state of anticipatory tension and inner conflict, and heightened sensitivity. Also see tease and denial and chastity.
• Fetish: A specific obsession or delight in one object or experience.
• Fire play: Using flammable liquids to create quick, fleeting instances of flame on the skin of the bottom. Risk of injury is increased and the Top should be learned with fire play skills.
• Genitorture: Torture of the genitals
• Good pain: Good pain and bad pain are terms used lightheartedly by BDSM practitioners, signifying that whilst BDSM may include an element (often quite pronounced) of consensual pain, there is a purpose to it, and some pain is consented to and accepted whilst other pain is not. "Good pain" is therefore pain that is mutually agreed, desired or permitted by the submissive partner to be experienced, and seen by them as of enjoyment or value.
• Golden showers: Urinating on, or being urinated on by, another person.
• Gorean: A BDSM sub-genre based upon the rituals and practices created within the world of Gor in the erotic novels by John Norman.
• Gunplay: The practice of including actual (or simulated) firearms into a scene.
• Handkerchief codes: visible signs to indicate to others your area of BDSM interest
• Hard limits: What someone absolutely will not do, usually non-negotiable.
• Harem: A group of subs serving one or more Dom/mes.
• Impact play: Part of sensation play, dealing with impact such as whips, riding crops, paddles, floggers, etc.
• Infantilism: Parent/child or parent/baby role playing.
• Knife play: Slow, methodical sensation of the bottom with the edges and points of knives, usually without cutting the skin. Fear of the weapon plays a large part in the stimulus of the bottom.
• Limits: What someone "won't" do or is hesitant to do
• Masochism: Act of receiving pain for sensual/sexual pleasure.
• Masochist: Person who enjoys pain, usually sexually.
• Mummification: Immobilising the body by wrapping it up, usually with multiple layers of tight thin plastic sheeting. Breathing and other safety measures must be appropriately taken care of, often by leaving the face (or at least the mouth and nose) open. Body temperature (maintained to an extent by movement) may also be affected so a warm environment and warm aftercare may be important. Mummification is often used to enhance a feeling of total bodily helplessness, and incorporated with sensation play.
• Munch: A group of people that are into BDSM meeting at a vanilla place. Sometimes this is a club. You might see an announcement like, "This weekend's munch is at Denny's"
• Nyotaimori: Human platters
• Needle play: Temporary piercings done with sterile needles of varying gauges, usually only for the duration of a scene.
• Newbie: Someone new to BDSM.
• OTK: Over the knee (spanking).
• Painslut: A person who enjoys receiving a heavy degree of pain but may or may not necessarily enjoy submitting.
• Paraphilia
• Play party: A BDSM event involving many people engaging in Scenes.
• ProDom: Male professional dominant (charges money)
• ProDomme: Female professional dominant (charges money)
• Ponygirl or Ponyboy: Sub is dressed in a pony outfit, with mouth bit and anal plug with a tail. They are told to prance or behave like a pony.
• Puppy Play: Sub is made to act like a puppy. Sub barks, whines, eats from a bowl, etc. Such play is almost never sexual, but rather focuses on the altered mind-space of bottom/pup.
• RACK - Risk Aware Consensual Kink
• Rape fantasy: The pleasurable fantasy of inflicting or being a victim to an act of consensual play-rape.
• Sadism: The act of inflicting pain.
• Sadist: Person who enjoys inflicting pain, usually sexually.
• Safe, Sane and Consensual - SSC
• Safeword - When a participant utters a safeword, BDSM activity stops.
• Scat play: Feces play
• Scene: A time period of BDSM activities.
• Sensation play: BDSM play where the intent is to push people's sensory limits, thus exploring texture, sensory deprival, through to whips, flaggillation and edgeplay.
• Session: A time period of BDSM activities with a ProDom/me.
• Slave: Person who gives up a great degree of control in an ongoing D/s relationship, sometimes with few remaining limits. Often those who identify as "slave" have a great desire for being of service to their dominant, sometimes referred to as "service-oriented submission."
• Slave Position: Also called The Pleasure Position. Sub is kneeling, legs spread, head down and hands on thighs, with palms up
• Soft Limits: Something that someone is hesitant to do or nervous to try. They can sometimes be talked into the activity, or preferably it may be negotiated at a trial or beginner level into a scene.
• Subdrop: A physical condition, often with cold- or flu-like symptoms, experienced by a submissive after an intense session of BDSM play. This can last for as long as a week, and is best prevented by aftercare immediately after the session.
• submissive, or "sub" for short. Person that gives up control either all the time or only during a scene
• Subspace: A "natural high" that a sub gets during a scene or when being controlled. The sub may feel disconnected from time, space, and/or their body, and may have limited ability to communicate. It is critical that a Dom(me) be aware of their sub's wellbeing if they are in subspace.
• switch: Someone who likes being both Dominant and submissive, either in one scene or on different occasions.
• Taken in hand: 24/7 Male dominance in monogamous marriage, with or without BDSM aspects.
• Tease and denial: keeping another person aroused while delaying or preventing resolution of the feelings, to keep them in a continual state of anticipatory tension and inner conflict, and heightened sensitivity. Also see orgasm denial.
• Tit torture: The act of causing deliberate physical pain to the breasts and nipples.
• Top: Dominant person either all the time or only during a scene.
• Topping from the bottom: A submissive who nonetheless wants to direct the top.
• Training: Either referring to a short period of time (a scene) or an ongoing effort of the Dom/me teaching the sub how to act. Can either be a playful thing or a serious thing, depending on the couple.
• Vanilla: Someone who is not in the lifestyle. Alternatively, sexual behaviour which does not encompass BDSM activity. The term is sometimes used in a derogatory sense.
• Wannabe: Someone who thinks or claims to be knowledgeable about BDSM, but is not. Especially prevalent with new Doms.
• WIITWD: What it is that we do. A broad term referring to all forms of alternative sexuality.
• Wax play: The Dom drips hot wax on the sub.

Note that some people in the BDSM community begin dominant terms with an upper case, for example: Top, Master, Dom, Domme, etc, as well as to begin submissive terms with a lower case, even where normally incorrect, chiefly in acronyms and abbreviations, such as D/s for Dom/sub. In terms of a D/s relationship (Dominant and Submissive), this acronym stands for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ... Animal transformation fantasies are a common theme in fantasy and erotica. ... Abrasion on the palm of a right hand, shortly after falling Abrasions on elbow and lower arm, still healing. ... Aftercare is the process of attending to a submissive after a play scene. ... // Runners high redirects here. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Ageplay is a form of regressive roleplay in which a physical adult takes on the role of a child. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Anal torture is any torture applied to the anus, using such devices as a pear of anguish or a hot poker (widely rumoured to have been used to murder the allegedly homosexual English king Edward II without obvious external marks on the body). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Petplay. ... Look up sub, sub- in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A slave auction is a social event, usually run as a fundraiser for charity and as a way to meet new people in the BDSM scene. ... In human sexual behavior, a dominant is one who enjoys performing any of a variety of BDSM practices upon a submissive; or one who holds a dominant position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (DS). ... Slave is a term often used in BDSM to connote a specific form of submissive. ... Good pain and bad pain are terms used lightheartedly by BDSM practitioners, signifying that whilst BDSM may include an element (often quite pronounced) consensual pain, there is a purpose to it, and some pain is consented to and accepted whilst other pain is not. ... A collar is a common symbol in BDSM. Female bottom in bondage with leather monoglove BDSM is any of a number of related patterns of human sexual behavior. ... Look up bondage in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Breast bondage is a technique in BDSM play. ... This article is about the erotic activity. ... Breast bondage is a technique in BDSM play. ... Breath Control is the practice of consciosly controling ones intake and outtake of air. ... Butt plugs are sex toys that are designed to be inserted in the anus and rectum for sexual pleasure. ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... Erotic sexual denial, also known as orgasm denial, is a sexual practice where a person is kept in the plateau phase of the human sexual response cycle for an extended length of time. ... Orgasm denial is a sexual practice where a person is kept in the plateau phase of the human sexual response cycle for an extended length of time. ... Venetian chastity belt on display in the Doges palace. ... Venetian chastity belt on display in the Doges palace. ... Cock and ball torture (CBT) is a sexual activity involving torture of the male genitals. ... A BDSM-style collar buckles about the neck. ... A BDSM-style collar buckles about the neck. ... Consent within BDSM is an issue that attracts much attention in the field. ... Scene may refer to: Scene (fiction), an element of a larger fictional work such as a play Scene (film), a part of action in a single location in a TV or movie Scene (music), a collection of musical acts that play regularly in one location. ... Consent within BDSM is an issue that attracts much attention in the field. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... A dungeon monitor (sometimes referred to as a dungeon master or DM) is a person charged with supervising a playspace or dungeon at a BDSM play party or event. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... In human sexual behavior, a dominant is one who enjoys performing any of a variety of BDSM practices upon a submissive; or one who holds a dominant position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (DS). ... In human sexual behavior, a dominant is one who enjoys performing any of a variety of BDSM practices upon a submissive; or one who holds a dominant position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (DS). ... In human sexual behavior, a dominant is one who enjoys performing any of a variety of BDSM practices upon a submissive; or one who holds a dominant position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (DS). ... A dominatrix (from the Latin dominatrix, meaning a female ruler or mistress) or mistress is a woman who takes the dominant role in bondage and discipline, domination and submission or sado-masochistic sexual practices, which are commonly abbreviated as BDSM. The male equivalent is master. ... A dominatrix is a woman who takes the dominant role in sado-masochistic sexual practices. ... A dominatrix (from the Latin dominatrix, meaning a female ruler or mistress) or mistress is a woman who takes the dominant role in bondage and discipline, domination and submission or sado-masochistic sexual practices, which are commonly abbreviated as BDSM. The male equivalent is master. ... Domination and submission (also known as Dominance and submission, D&s, Ds or D/s) is a set of psychosexual behaviors, customs and rituals relating to the dominance of one individual over another. ... Slave Dani handcuffed and chained to a wall in a dungeon, wearing black PVC diapers only Slave Dani handcuffed, gagged and chained to a wall in a dungeon, wearing black PVC diapers only In BDSM (bondage/discipline, Dominance/submission, sadism/masochism) play, a dungeon is any space set aside for... In BDSM, edgeplay is a subjective term for types of sexual play that are on the edge of the traditional safe, sane and consensual creed. ... // Runners high redirects here. ... Sensation play is a BDSM term referring to exploring intense sensation, for erotic purposes. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Erotic sexual denial, also known as orgasm denial, is a sexual practice where a person is kept in the plateau phase of the human sexual response cycle for an extended length of time. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... The basic idea of sexual fetishism is sexual arousal and satisfaction through an inanimate object, the fetish. ... Fire play is a type of BDSM play that involves applying fire near to human skin. ... Physical punishment is the deliberate infliction of pain or other bodily suffering intended as correction or punishment (see that article for general considerations and alternatives). ... Good pain and bad pain are terms used lightheartedly by BDSM practitioners, signifying that whilst BDSM may include an element (often quite pronounced) consensual pain, there is a purpose to it, and some pain is consented to and accepted whilst other pain is not. ... This article or section should be merged with Watersports (BDSM) Urolagnia (also known as urophilia) is a paraphilia involving sexual attraction to urine. ... In the most general use of the word, Gorean means anything characteristic of the Gor science fiction novels by John Norman. ... Gor, the Counter-Earth, is the alternate-world setting for John Normans Chronicles of Gor, a series of 26 novels that combine philosophy, erotica and science fiction. ... John Norman, pen name of John Frederick Lange, Jr. ... In BDSM, gunplay is used to refer to the practice of including actual or sometimes simulated firearms into a scene. ... Scene may refer to: Scene (fiction), an element of a larger fictional work such as a play Scene (film), a part of action in a single location in a TV or movie Scene (music), a collection of musical acts that play regularly in one location. ... Handkerchief code, more commonly known as hanky code or flagging was a way of indicating, usually among gay male casual sex seekers or BDSM practitioners in the US and Canada, whether they were a top or bottom, and what kind of sex they were seeking, by wearing color-coded handkerchiefs... Although limits are things that are not done in a scene in BDSM, play is often used as a way to expand on such limits. ... Coming from the Arab tradition, the harîm حريم (compare haram) is the part of the household forbidden to male strangers. ... In this flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004 the top is using an advanced double flogger technique. ... Sensation play is a BDSM term referring to exploring intense sensation, for erotic purposes. ... Paraphilic infantilism is the desire to wear diapers and be treated as a helpless infant. ... Knife Play is form of consensual BDSM edgeplay involving knives, daggers, and swords as a source of physical and mental stimulation. ... A limit can be: Limit (mathematics), including: Limit of a function Limit of a sequence Net (topology) Limit (category theory) A constraint (mathematical, physical, economical, legal, etc. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... Mummification as a BDSM bondage practice involves restraining a living persons body in a non-damaging way by wrapping it head to toe, or neck to toe, in materials like saran wrap, clingfilm, cloth, bandages, rubber strips, plaster bandages, bodybags, or straitjackets. ... Sensation play is a BDSM term referring to exploring intense sensation, for erotic purposes. ... A munch is a low-pressure gathering for people involved in, or interested in, BDSM, usually at a restaurant. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Play piercing, needle play, or recreational acupuncture is body piercing done for the purpose of enjoying the experience rather than producing a permanent body decoration. ... Noob redirects here. ... Spanking (or smacking) is the most used form of Corporal punishment, consisting of one or more sharp smacks, usually with an open hand, applied on the buttocks. ... A person who enjoys receiving a heavy degree of pain but may or may not necessarily enjoy submitting. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... In BDSM, a scene is a complete encounter. ... A professional dominant or professional dominatrix is a sex worker who performs the dominant role in BDSM activities in exchange for money. ... A professional dominant or professional dominatrix is a person who performs the dominant role in BDSM activities in exchange for money. ... A professional dominant or professional dominatrix is a sex worker who performs the dominant role in BDSM activities in exchange for money. ... A professional dominant or professional dominatrix is a person who performs the dominant role in BDSM activities in exchange for money. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Petplay. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Petplay. ... Look up rack in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A rape fantasy is a sexual fantasy about participating in a rape, a fictional story about a rape, or an acted-out scene of pretend rape between consenting adults. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ... Safe, sane and consensual (SSC) is one of several phrases used by a large section of the BDSM and sexual bondage communities to describe themselves and their philosophies who regard SSC to be a watchword for safety. ... A safeword[1] is a codeword or series of codewords that are sometimes used in BDSM to mean that a submissive (or bottom) is reaching a physical, emotional or moral boundary or for the dominant (or top) to stop the sceneplay. ... Coprophilia is a paraphilia consisting of the condition of feeling sexual excitement focused on feces, often in conjunction with BDSM or infantilism. ... In BDSM, a scene is a complete encounter. ... Sensation play is a BDSM term referring to exploring intense sensation, for erotic purposes. ... In BDSM, edgeplay is a subjective term for types of sexual play that are on the edge of the traditional safe, sane and consensual creed. ... Look up Session in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In BDSM, servitude is performing tasks and following orders as an aspect of being submissive. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Submissiveness is the trait of being willing to yield to the will of another person or a superior force. ... In human sexual behavior, a submissive is one who enjoys having any of a variety of BDSM practices performed upon them by a Dominant; or one who holds a submissive position within a relationship based upon Dominance and submission (Ds or D/s). ... Screenshot (from SSCX Star Warzone). ... In the field of sexuality, a switch is someone who can change from one sexual role to another. ... // Taken in Hand Taken in Hand (sometimes referred to as TiH) in terms of sexual human relationships refers to a monogamous, heterosexual relationship which is male-led, and in which the female defers in matters of everyday life, as well as sexually, to her partner. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Orgasm denial is a sexual practice where a person is kept in the plateau phase of the human sexual response cycle for an extended length of time. ... Tit torture refers to any of several erotic BDSM activities focusing solely on inflicting pain on the female breast and/or nipples for sexual gratification. ... This article is about the erotic activity. ... Topping from the bottom is a BDSM term, meaning a person who wants to be dominated but simultaneously direct the top to do it according to their wishes. ... erendir A top with sides marked in Braille A top, or spinning top, is a childrens toy that can be spun on an axis, balancing on a point. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... Look up Wannabe in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In human sexual behavior, a dominant is one who enjoys performing any of a variety of BDSM practices upon a submissive; or one who holds a dominant position within a relationship based upon dominance and submission (DS). ... WIITWD is an acronym in the alternative sexualities community for What it is that we do. It is also sometimes written WIIWD (What it is we do). ... Wax play can create colorful and beautiful patterns on the subject Wax play is a form of sensual play involving warm or hot wax usually dripped from candles or ladled onto a persons naked skin. ...

In addition, high protocol refers to groups that adhere to strict roles and role-based rules of conduct, whereas low protocol refers to groups that are more relaxed. Old Guard refers to high protocol groups, particularly gay leather BDSM groups: see Old Guard leather. old guard leather ...

See also

• BDSM
• List of BDSM topics