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

Puga was arrested as part of a human trafficking arrest of a Round Lake Beach woman. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

The bank dropped Epstein as a client in 2013 due to human trafficking concerns, the report says, but the bank didn't report suspicious transactions to the government until six years later, shortly after Epstein's arrest. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026

The ministry said Morocco remained committed to international cooperation against irregular migration and human trafficking. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Anyone who suspects human trafficking can contact Florida’s trafficking hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE. — Eric Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 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