A safeword is a code word or series of code words that are sometimes used in BDSM for a submissive or bottom to unambiguously communicate their physical or emotional state to a dominant or top, typically when approaching, or crossing, a physical, emotional, or moral boundary. safeword makes it possible for a submissive to say No or Stop and pretend as much as he or she wants without really meaning it while still having a safe way of indicating they seriously need the scene to stop.