human trafficking: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Academic, Media
Quick answer
What does “human trafficking” mean?
The criminal practice of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The criminal practice of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.
A global, clandestine trade involving the illegal movement and exploitation of people, often viewed as a modern form of slavery. It can be for purposes of forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, or organ removal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows national conventions (e.g., 'harbouring' vs. 'harboring' in related texts).
Connotations
Identical serious, criminal connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in legal, media, and academic discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “human trafficking” in a Sentence
[verb] human traffickinghuman trafficking [for/of something]trafficking [in] humansVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “human trafficking” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gang was found to be trafficking humans across the Channel.
- She was trafficked for forced labour.
American English
- The ring trafficked humans for the sex trade.
- He was convicted of trafficking persons.
adverb
British English
- The victims were trafficked illegally into the country.
American English
- They were trafficked internationally for exploitation.
adjective
British English
- Human trafficking networks are sophisticated.
- The human trafficking legislation was updated.
American English
- Human trafficking victims need support.
- A major human trafficking investigation is underway.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports discussing supply chain risks.
Academic
Frequent in law, criminology, sociology, and human rights studies.
Everyday
Used in news reports and documentaries; a known term but not part of casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in international law (e.g., the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “human trafficking”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “human trafficking”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “human trafficking”
- Misspelling 'trafficking' with one 'f' or one 'c'.
- Using it interchangeably with 'human smuggling'.
- Incorrect article use: 'a human trafficking' (incorrect, typically non-count).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Human trafficking' is the process of recruiting and moving people for exploitation, while 'modern slavery' describes the exploitative condition they are held in. The terms are often used interchangeably in public discourse.
No. Trafficking can occur within a single country or even a single community (domestic trafficking). The key element is exploitation, not necessarily transnational movement.
Smuggling involves illegally moving a person across a border, usually with their consent, and the transaction typically ends upon arrival. Trafficking is based on exploitation (e.g., forced labour, sex work) and can happen with or without movement. A smuggling situation can turn into trafficking if the person is then exploited.
Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, can be a victim. Traffickers often target people in vulnerable situations due to poverty, lack of opportunity, political instability, or discrimination.
The criminal practice of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.
Human trafficking is usually formal, legal, academic, media in register.
Human trafficking: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhjuːmən ˈtræfɪkɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhjuːmən ˈtræfɪkɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A trade in misery”
- “The flesh trade (specifically for sexual exploitation)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'traffic' as the movement of cars; 'human trafficking' is the illegal movement of people, treating them like commodities in a cruel, congested trade.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN BEINGS ARE COMMODITIES / SLAVERY IS A TRADE / EXPLOITATION IS A MARKET.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a KEY distinguishing feature of 'human trafficking' as opposed to 'people smuggling'?