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

Oakland councilmembers decided on Tuesday how to assign police resources during the Super Bowl, as the city says big events can bring an increase in human trafficking. —Amanda Hari, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

Armstrong has been charged by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit with single counts of human trafficking of a minor, pimping a minor over the age of 16 years and pandering with a minor over 16 years old — all felonies. —City News Service, Oc Register, 15 Jan. 2026

The nonprofit supports organ donation, gun buyback programs and fights youth homelessness and human trafficking. —Susan Young, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Méndez Aguilar has been accused of orchestrating an insidious human trafficking ring that started back in July targeting indigent pregnant women. —Kevin Maurer, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 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