Masochism/ˈmæsəkɪzəm/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Sensory Pleasure Relates to pleasure from feeling pain, not just emotional suffering. He found a strange masochism in the sting of the icy water. Pro Tip 2/3Not Only Sexual Masochism isn't always sexual; can be about any self-imposed hardship. She considered studying all night a form of intellectual masochism. Pro Tip 3/3Psychological Term Originally a medical term, used broadly in psychology and psychiatry. The therapist explained the concept of masochism to his patient.