sex trafficking

American

[seks traf-i-king] / ˈsɛks ˌtræf ɪ kɪŋ /

noun

the illegal practice of procuring or trading in human beings for the purpose of prostitution or other sex work.

Etymology

Origin of sex trafficking

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Notably it does not protect them from federal criminal violations, intellectual property claims or violations of sex trafficking laws.

From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026

Federal prosecutors have successfully prosecuted cases of adult sex trafficking.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Eugenie co-founded the Anti-Slavery Collective, a charity whose focus includes victims of sex trafficking.

From BBC • Feb. 6, 2026

Hochman also criticized current state sex trafficking laws, which don’t consider incidents involving adults as serious, violent felonies, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

“The Committee did not obtain substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws,” the report notes.

From Salon • Dec. 24, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023