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.
Listen to this article The two dozen Chinese migrants rounded up in a human trafficking bust in Coral Gables this week apparently were headed to Orlando, according to federal court documents filed Wednesday. Silas Morgan, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025 Police in the region reported the organization has victimized thousands through extortion, drug and human trafficking, kidnapping and murder. Rafael Romo, CNN, 29 Jan. 2025 Congressional reluctance to take a clear stand on the prevention of human trafficking has been underscored by its failure to reauthorize the latest iteration of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which has been languishing for more than three years despite bipartisan claims of support for it. Lori L. Cohen, New York Daily News, 28 Jan. 2025 Inside a cartel's human-smuggling operation The TBI received nearly 1,300 human trafficking tips in 2022, according to a report. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near human trafficking

Cite this Entry

“Human trafficking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20trafficking. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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