Sadomasochism is a practice involving the giving and receiving of pain or humiliation for pleasure. It often occurs within a consensual relationship where participants agree on boundaries and safe words. This dynamic can include various activities, such as bondage, spanking, or role-playing, and is rooted in trust and communication. The term combines two concepts: sadism, which refers to deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, and masochism, which involves gaining pleasure from receiving pain. While often associated with the broader category of BDSM, sadomasochism specifically focuses on the interplay of power and pain between consenting partners.