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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Monaghan, a longtime San Mateo Police Department official and former Tiburon police chief, is currently leading a county initiative on human trafficking. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025 The officer called the human trafficking task force, and an investigation quickly began. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 25 Nov. 2025 His current whereabouts is unknown, and officials have issued an arrest warrant on human trafficking charges. Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025 Some scholars consider this a form of human trafficking, but that has been challenged by other scholarship. Julia Meszaros, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for human trafficking

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of human trafficking was in 1904

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Human trafficking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20trafficking. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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