BDSM

abbreviation or noun

ˌbē-ˌdē-ˌes-ˈem 

: sexual activity involving such practices as the use of physical restraints, the granting and relinquishing of control, and the infliction of pain

He provided a vivid insight into the life of a dedicated follower of bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism (BDSM) as he gave evidence to his trial at Guildford Crown Court.

—Sam Marsden

BDSM refers to a range of sexual preferences that generally relate to enjoyment of physical control, psychological control, and/or pain.

—Ali Hebert and Angela Weaver

Whatever one thinks of BDSM, given the pain and intensity associated with it, it certainly doesn't come across as a stress-reducing activity—to most outsiders, there wouldn't appear to be anything relaxing about whips and handcuffs.

—Roni Jacobson

BDSM communities have been quick to distance themselves from Fifty Shades, and, indeed, from any beliefs or behaviours incompatible with informed, enthusiastic and uncoerced consent.

—Emer O'Toole

Examples of BDSM in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In his feature directorial debut Pillion, writer-director Harry Lighton sets a beautifully heartbreaking love story against a modern world of BDSM. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 18 May 2025

Limits to what is permissible For those who engage in BDSM, there are limits to what is permissible, said a longtime member of the BDSM community known professionally as Imperatrix Nox. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

The allegations against Gaiman include nonconsensual BDSM. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Jan. 2025

Babygirl also climaxes to a close, with star Nicole Kidman, playing a tech manager who discovers a taste for BDSM, in a state of near or total undress throughout much of the movie. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2024

The franchise follows inexperienced college graduate Anastasia Steele and broody businessman Christian Grey, who introduces her to the world of BDSM. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 17 July 2023

Not your mom’s speed dating: From tantra to BDSM, there’s something for everyone in L.A. HBCUs brace for flood of applications after Supreme Court affirmative action decision. —Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2023

My mother once wrote that some desires of domination, for instance, might be a learned coping mechanism for dealing with pervasive misogyny—which is similar to the recasting involved in BDSM, where the person ostensibly being dominated is actually controlling the whole scenario. —Hazlitt, 9 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

bondage, discipline, sadism, masochism

Note: The d and s have also been taken to stand for dominance and submission.

First Known Use

1991, in the meaning defined above