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)
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Twenty Republicans on Wednesday voted against legislation that would reauthorize programs to combat human trafficking. 
Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 27 July 2022 Law enforcement said no such incident took place, and experts say human trafficking is not known to occur through such methods. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2022 The tragic reality of prostitution is that many individuals, even minors, are victims of human trafficking and even minors. Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 The gallery hosted up to four exhibitions a year with many of the shows were intended to raise awareness of human trafficking and gender inequality. Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Aug. 2022 Johnson's event focused on a surge of migration and problems with human trafficking and illicit drugs. Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2022 The administration also has launched measures aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and smuggling. Raul A. Reyes, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 Offering a précis of the plot could arguably do the movie a disservice, since the narrative pivots on human trafficking — specifically, the trafficking of prepubescent girls. Joe Leydon, Variety, 28 July 2022 Still, only 46 people were successfully prosecuted for human trafficking between 2019 and 2020. Mukelwa Hlatshwayo, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2022 See More
Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 27 July 2022 Law enforcement said no such incident took place, and experts say human trafficking is not known to occur through such methods. Brieanna J. Frank, USA TODAY, 27 Aug. 2022 The tragic reality of prostitution is that many individuals, even minors, are victims of human trafficking and even minors. Shelley Zimmerman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2022 The gallery hosted up to four exhibitions a year with many of the shows were intended to raise awareness of human trafficking and gender inequality. Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Aug. 2022 Johnson's event focused on a surge of migration and problems with human trafficking and illicit drugs. Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2022 The administration also has launched measures aimed at cracking down on human trafficking and smuggling. Raul A. Reyes, CNN, 14 Aug. 2022 Offering a précis of the plot could arguably do the movie a disservice, since the narrative pivots on human trafficking — specifically, the trafficking of prepubescent girls. Joe Leydon, Variety, 28 July 2022 Still, only 46 people were successfully prosecuted for human trafficking between 2019 and 2020. Mukelwa Hlatshwayo, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
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