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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The judge ordered all six men held without bond on the human trafficking charges. — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 July 2026 These advocates accuse law enforcement and politicians of overstating the human trafficking problem on Figueroa in order to justify more police actions and the passage of harsher laws. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 NGOs, including Amnesty International, say many of the workers are victims of human trafficking. — Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 21 June 2026 The new attorney general did not rule out the possibility of legal action against Porras, who has several complaints against her, including one for human trafficking in irregular adoptions, and her associates. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for human trafficking

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of human trafficking was in 1904

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Browse Nearby Words

human shield

human trafficking

humanum est errare

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Human trafficking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20trafficking. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

human trafficking

noun

Examples of human trafficking in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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