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

The Los Angeles Police Department closed the 105 Freeway in South LA after a human trafficking suspect crashed during a pursuit on Thursday. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 July 2026

In another case, HSI agents in San Francisco, working with the FBI and local police, rescued two girls believed to be victims of human trafficking. — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026

The Tates were arrested in Romania in 2022 on charges of leading an organized crime group and human trafficking, and the case was set to head to trial, but a judge sent the indictment back to prosecutors citing procedural issues. — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Because of their arrests, Fernandez Rundle said 17 potential victims of human trafficking were rescued. — Kairi Lowery, Miami Herald, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

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