Such grounds, and even the definition of pornography, have differed in various historical, cultural, and national contexts.

Various groups within society have considered depictions of a sexual nature immoral, addictive, and noxious, labeling them pornographic, and attempting to have them suppressed under obscenity laws, censored or made illegal. The primary subjects of present-day pornographic depictions are pornographic models, who pose for still photographs, and pornographic actors who engage in filmed sex acts. The term does not include live exhibitions like sex shows and striptease. Pornography may be presented in a variety of media, including magazines, animation, writing, film, video, and video games. A distinction could be drawn between uncensored explicit or hardcore erotic art, and pornography. Pornography (often shortened to porn, or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. ' XXX' is often used to designate pornographic material.