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 report details allegations of rape, child prostitution, forced labor and trafficking linked to mining camps throughout the Amazon. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026 It’s comprised of the U.S.’ biggest competitors including Russia, India and China—the nucleus of U.S. forced labor allegations. Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 May 2026 Trump’s administration declared in early 2021 that the Chinese government was committing a genocide against Muslim Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province, with crimes against humanity including torture, imprisonment, forced labor, and forced sterilization. Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 29 Apr. 2026 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 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 21 May. 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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