A slot is a narrow notch, groove, or opening, as in a keyway in a piece of machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. It can also refer to a position in a group, series, sequence, or schedule: I could slot you in at 2 p.m.
A slot in the sense of a position or role is often associated with a profession: a lawyer, doctor, teacher, or even a sports team. It may also be a term used to describe the position of an employee or volunteer: “She was promoted to slot at the head of the department.”
In computer technology, a slot is an empty container on a Web page that waits to fill with dynamic content dictated by a scenario (or a targeter). A scenario uses an Add Items to Slot action or a Renderer to deliver the content for the slot. The slot is then positioned by the Scenario or Renderer to display it on the page.
In a casino, slot is the place where players insert cash or, in the case of “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode. The machine then pays out winning combinations based on its paytable. Modern slot games can have paylines in numerous directions, and they may include wild symbols that substitute for other symbols. These can increase the amount of a payline win or unlock bonus levels or jackpots.
Some people believe that a machine that hasn’t paid out recently is “due.” This is not true, however, and casinos do all sorts of things to encourage the flow of money in their slots. For example, they put high-paying machines at the end of rows or in aisles where more people will see them. They may also lower the payback percentage of a machine when crowds are large and demand higher.
Another type of slot is an air traffic authorization for a particular airport at a specified time. Air traffic controllers use slots to avoid air congestion, which can cause lengthy delays and wasteful aircraft fuel burn.
In ice hockey, slot is the area in front of an opposing player’s goal that allows the player to move freely without being challenged by a defender. A slot often gives the player a great advantage, especially when combined with skill.
A slot is the place in a computer to store data and code, and it’s usually referred to by its name (for instance, “C Drive” or “Disk Drive”). It can also refer to a specific folder location within a drive, such as “C: