forced labor

noun

1
: very hard physical work that someone is forced to do
The prisoners endured years of forced labor.
2
: a group of people who are made to work very hard for no money
also : a system that allows this
The railroad was built with/by forced labor.

Examples of forced labor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The code prohibits child labor or forced labor and sets out standards for time off and safe working conditions. Corina Vanek, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 Jung also discussed efforts to combat trafficking and forced labor at salt farms and other sites and the widespread abuse of migrant workers, which has fueled long-standing criticism of South Korea’s exploitation of some of Asia’s most vulnerable people. ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026 Other Latin American nations including Honduras and Jamaica have ended their Cuban doctor programs under U.S. pressure, with Washington calling the missions forced labor. Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026 In Germany, deportations to killing sites or forced labor camps were often carried out quickly, with limited public exposure. Danielle Wirsansky, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forced labor

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Cite this Entry

“Forced labor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forced%20labor. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.

Legal Definition

forced labor

noun
: the act of providing or obtaining the labor of a person by use of or threat of force, physical restraint, serious harm (as physical, psychological, financial, or reputational), or abuse of legal process
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