A slot is a narrow notch, groove, or opening, such as one that receives a coin in a vending machine. The word is also used to describe a position in a group, series, or sequence; for example, a time slot on the calendar or schedule. The slot in the chair is just the right size for my leg. If you slot something in, you put it into place easily. The car seat belt fit into the slot perfectly.
The first definition is probably the most familiar to readers of this article. A slot is a place in a game, machine, or program where an activity can take place. A person who slots something in does so at a specific point in time. For instance, a sports team will often have practice or a game scheduled in a given hour during the week.
A slot in the sense of a position is also used in reference to an authorization issued by airport control for a particular aircraft to land or take off at a busy airport during a specified time period. The slot is designed to prevent repeated delays caused by too many flights trying to take off or land at the same time.
In modern slot games, the pay table is a tool that displays important information about a machine’s payouts and symbols. It shows what each symbol can payout and how much a player can win if three or more matching symbols line up correctly on a payline. It also lists side bets, scatter symbols, and wild symbols that can increase a player’s chances of winning. A good knowledge of the pay table can help players choose the best slot for their play style and budget.
The word ‘slot’ is derived from Middle Low German, from Proto-Germanic *sleutana (“to lock”). It is cognate with Dutch slotte (“lock, castle”) and German Schloss (“door bolt”).