human trafficking

noun

: organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into sex work or involuntary labor)

Examples of human trafficking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Armed agents, who once apprehended migrants across the US’s borders and stopped drug and human trafficking operations, now stand sentinel over federal immigration facilities that are the sites of immigration protests. —Andy Rose 19 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025

This all comes as Boston continues to be hard hit by the opioid crisis at Mass and Cass, and the spillover from the drug and human trafficking zone. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 8 Nov. 2025

The regime that jails children also profits from drugs, human trafficking, and online scams. —Kim Aris, Time, 7 Nov. 2025

Now, with Harris’ child assault causing death and human trafficking case headed to trial, his defense attorney has taken aim at Doe’s credibility, calling her a serial liar who admitted telling numerous falsehoods to police along the way. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

human trafficking

noun

: organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or involuntary labor)

Legal Definition

human trafficking

noun

: the business of inducing a person to perform labor or engage in prostitution through force, fraud, or coercion see also labor trafficking, sex trafficking