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

Captives of a human trafficking ring, their fight for survival turns even more desperate when a violent storm hurls their container into the ocean. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025

The Shrine, an oasis of faith in the heart of downtown, has a women’s clinic that helps with all that comes with addiction and human trafficking. —Joe Dwinell, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

Inside, a sign advertised spa services, and another ironically warned against human trafficking. —Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025

Those include the manufacture, distribution and use of drugs, firearm and weapons offenses, assault, murder, gambling, prostitution and human trafficking, among others. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 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