Note: The d and s have also been taken to stand for dominance and submission. Accessed 31 Jan. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! See Definitions and Examples ». Cite this Entry Citation Share. Log In. BDSM abbreviation or noun. 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.
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. Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. First Known Use. Time Traveler.
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