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

Combs was cleared of the other charges (related to racketeering and human trafficking) and otherwise faces ire online and in the press today. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2025

Tren de Aragua's members are accused of a lengthy record of violent crimes, including murder, human trafficking, rape, kidnapping, bribery and racketeering. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Searching for another avenue to stay, Ruano learned about the trafficking victims' visa, or T visa, which required a person to be the victim of human trafficking and willing to cooperate with law enforcement. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 3 Dec. 2025

The suspect was also found at the hotel, police said, adding that she was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and other charges related to pimping and pandering. —Jason Green, Mercury News, 3 Dec. 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