A slot is a narrow depression, perforation or slit, especially one for receiving something like a coin or a letter. It is also a period of time or position within a schedule or sequence: I’ve scheduled your haircut for the two o’clock slot.
A slit or aperture in a body part: The nurse inserted the needle into the patient’s vein through his groin slot.
In a game of chance, a space in which to place money or tokens. A machine that accepts such money or tokens, and pays out according to the numbers it displays: The woman slid her credit card into the slot of the ATM.
Computer software that generates random numbers for a game of chance: The program ran the dice through its slots until it stopped at a winning number.
In aviation, the authorized time for an airplane’s departure or arrival at an airport. This is distinct from air traffic control clearance and similar authorizations. Slots are particularly important at busy airports, where overlapping operations can cause delays and gridlock.
A device with a mechanical spindle for accepting coins or paper tickets: The bus left the station in the first slot of the day.
The space in which a coin or ticket is placed, or the opening of such a device: The man slotted the money into the vending machine.
(sports) A hole or area in front of the goal between the face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.
A slit or aperture, especially one for receiving something like a letter or a coin: I sent the message through the post office’s slot.
To put into a slot: She slipped the disk into its slot in the dash.
From Middle English slot, from Old French esclot, perhaps from Old Norse slod (“track”). Compare sleuth.
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The Symbols on a Slot Machine
Slot machines are deceptively simple at a glance. All you have to do is pull the lever or press a button and hope that three matching symbols line up in a row. But there is much more going on behind the scenes that can influence your odds of winning.
The secret to playing a slot machine is understanding the role of the reels, which are the columns that make up the spinning wheel. Reels can have anywhere from three to nine symbols, and different slots have different paylines. The more matching symbols you hit, the higher your payout will be. Some slots even have wild symbols, which can substitute for any other symbol on the reels to create a winning combination. Other types of slots, called progressives, allow you to win more frequently but usually require a larger initial investment. Some progressives feature a progressive jackpot, which can grow to thousands of times your original wager.