Formal or literary term for prostitution. In everyday language, 売春 (ばいしゅん) is more common.
Prostitution is illegal in many countries.
In history class, we learned about the realities of prostitution.
Compound of 売 (ばい, 'sell') and 笑 (しょう, 'smile'), referring to the act of selling smiles or companionship, a euphemism for prostitution. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.