A slot (or slit, aperture, hole, pocket, or spot) is an opening into which something may be inserted. The opening is often narrow and is surrounded by a wall of metal or other material, as on an electrical socket. A slot may also refer to:
A machine that pays out credits based on combinations of symbols appearing on a pay line that runs across the reels. Symbols vary from machine to machine, but classics include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot machines have one or more paylines, with some having as many as 100 different possible ways to win. A player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a slot, activates the machine by pressing a lever or button (either physical or virtual), and then spins the reels. If the symbols match a winning combination on the pay table, the player receives credits based on the amount specified by that machine’s pay table.
The time period in which an aircraft is scheduled to land or take off from a congested airport, allocated by an airline’s slot coordinator. Airlines seek slots to avoid costly delays and fuel burn. Slots are especially valuable during times of intense congestion, as during the coronavirus pandemic.
A position on an ice hockey team, located in the center of the face-off circle, which gives a faster or shiftier player the advantage of being able to step forward and get to the puck without worrying about getting grabbed. A good player can use the slot to create a scoring opportunity for himself or his teammates.