The key terms surrounding steampunk both have varying definitions and solid definitions.

Steampunk: a reinterpretation of history through a science fiction and fantasy lens focusing during the Victorian Era, approximately 1840-1910, combining social practices of the era with re-imagined technology with an emphasis on steam power. This is a working definition as the term steampunk does not have an agreed upon definition (see: Definition).

Steampunk: a participant in the subculture of steampunk. Most often referred to in the plural, steampunks, to discuss the participants as a whole.

Modding: “is the term used to describe the act of modifying contemporary technology with the addition of an ornate steampunk exterior. Technology mods, as well as the crafting of other items of jewelery, accessories and even clothing, make use of recovered and deconstructed watches, clocks, typewriters, radios and other old devices” (Cherry & Mellins, 2012). Modding is most often associated with material that is refurbished and used to create new objects.

Fan Art: “Art of any form, usually electronic or drawn free hand, that uses characters or settings from a popular television show, novel, cartoon, anime, or movie as the subject” (Urban Dictionary, 2003). Fan art can evolve to include those original ideas inspired by multiple mediums but is entirely of the artists design.

Cosplay: shortened variation of ‘costume play’. Often times, but not always, it is the creation of a character and its physical realization in costume form.