Any form of permanent body art, although the term also encompasses more extreme voluntary modification like amputation. It can also mean temporary mods, like henna, but doesn't include things like haircuts. Body mods are usually obtained for aesthetic or emotional reasons, although some are practical or sexual.

Body Modification is a present art and commerce, and differs from the more technocentric bodmods which refer to the addition of objects to the body, usually electronic, in order to enhance its capability, although aesthetics are certainly one motivation. The objects in question, though, should typically perform a function through electronics or mechanism.