forced labor

noun

1
: very hard physical work that someone is forced to do
The prisoners endured years of forced labor.
2
: a group of people who are made to work very hard for no money
also : a system that allows this
The railroad was built with/by forced labor.

Examples of forced labor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Throughout the Holocaust, the Nazis concentrated European Jews in urban ghettos, which were marked by horrific living conditions, forced labor and the threat of execution. Tom Dreisbach, NPR, 30 June 2025 The use of Uyghur forced labor in the supply chain is not a new allegation. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 Mack pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering, one count of racketeering conspiracy, admitted to state law extortion and forced labor for her role in DOS. Jessica Sager, People.com, 19 June 2025 The alleged Uyghur forced labor concerns the dire situation of the Uyghur community in the region. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for forced labor

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Cite this Entry

“Forced labor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forced%20labor. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

forced labor

noun
: the act of providing or obtaining the labor of a person by use of or threat of force, physical restraint, serious harm (as physical, psychological, financial, or reputational), or abuse of legal process
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