A slit or narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or letter. Also, the position in a series or sequence that someone has, as in a job or in an order of things: She was waiting for her slot on the committee.

In a slot machine, the player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode, which is then activated by a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen). The reels then spin and stop to rearrange the symbols. If the symbols line up in a winning combination, the player receives credits according to the pay table. The symbols vary by game, but classics include bells and stylized lucky sevens. Many games have a theme, and bonus features and other aspects of the game play usually align with that theme.

The term slot is also used to refer to a specific time and place for an airplane to take off or land, as allocated by an air-traffic control authority: “We’re waiting on a flight from Miami in the high slot.” In hockey, the high slot is an unmarked area directly in front of the goal between the face-off circles, from which a defenseman can rip a blistering slap shot. Also see slat1 (def. 1).