Dominance and submission - meaning and definition
AlsoD/sD/sDsdom/subdom sub dynamicD/s relationship
Definition
The part of BDSM centred on a consensual dynamic in which one partner leads or controls and the other follows or yields.
At a glance
- D/s is the part of BDSM centred on a consensual leading-and-following dynamic.
- It is about roles and psychology more than any particular physical activity.
- It can show up as instructions, rituals or forms of address, with little physical kink at all.
- Partners agree what the dynamic covers, what is off-limits and how to pause it.
- The capital D and lowercase s in 'D/s' are a community convention reflecting the roles.
In detail
D/s is about roles and psychology more than any specific physical activity. It can show up as giving and following instructions, rituals, forms of address or a partner making certain agreed decisions. Some D/s relationships involve little physical kink at all.
Because D/s plays with control, clarity is essential. Partners usually agree what the dynamic covers, what is off-limits, how to pause it and how often to review it. The capital D and lowercase s in 'D/s' are a community convention reflecting the roles.
In a sentence
- Our D/s is mostly about small rituals, and we check in every few weeks about what's working.
- He's interested in D/s but wanted to talk about limits over coffee first.
Common questions
Is D/s the same as BDSM?
D/s is one part of BDSM. It focuses on the dynamic of leading and following, while other parts of BDSM focus on restraint or sensation. Some people enjoy D/s without any physical kink.
Why is it written D/s?
By community convention the capital D stands for the dominant and the lowercase s for the submissive, reflecting the roles in the dynamic.