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

Fliers listing call, text and scan options to contact the state attorney’s office for help, along with potential signs of human trafficking, that will be put around hotels and restaurants. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026

State leaders are celebrating the four-day operation to combat human trafficking in Southern California that led to the rescue as well as the arrests of seven people. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026

Chavez-Baltazar also faces a charge of human trafficking, court records show. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026

On Saturday, March 7, demonstrations will be held in cities nationwide, pushing for people of all walks of life to stand together in protecting and spreading awareness for victims of human trafficking. —Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

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