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.
Guzman’s arrest was part of an operation conducted by SJPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force and the FBI timed with Super Bowl week, when law-enforcement agencies and public officials historically increase attention on human trafficking and child exploitation. Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 The smear sites have alleged, without substantiation, that targets engaged in — among other activities — extortion, embezzlement, prostitution, drug dealing and human trafficking. Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 The Trust Act allows for local cooperation with ICE on certain criminal matters, like human trafficking, child exploitation, drug and weapons trafficking, and cybercrimes. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 Colorado is among the top ten states in the country for human trafficking and most of the victims here are children. Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 10 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Human trafficking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/human%20trafficking. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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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