sex work
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of sex work
First recorded in 1930–35 in the sense “the academic study of sexual behavior,” and in 1980–85 for the current sense
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.
The officers the BBC spoke to said the Met needs to move away from criminalising women involved in street sex work – saying it's "not fair" when "they're just trying to survive".
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
When Amnesty International updated its policy in 2016 to consider sex work a matter of personal agency and implied consent, critics included Jimmy Carter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
Strangio, too, used Harris’ record on sex work to claim that Harris was no trans ally.
From Slate ● Jul. 29, 2024
At The Cupcake Girls, an anti-sex trafficking organization, we have done significant research on how the criminalization and stigma of sex work paves the way for further marginalization.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2024
In this conuco the adults of each sex work one hour in the morning and one in the evening.
From Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of America, During the Year 1799-1804 — Volume 1 by Thomasina Ross
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
