A slot is an opening in a machine that allows a person to insert coins or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode. The slot then activates a reel that spins, and when symbols line up, the player earns credits based on the payout schedule listed in the machine’s paytable. Slot games typically have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features align with that theme.
The slot is a narrow notch, groove, or opening; for example, the hole in a key to lock a door or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. It is also a position in a group, series, or sequence. He dropped the coin into the slot and dialed. To slot something into another is to place it into a position where it fits, such as the space on a car seat belt.
A slot is a period in time, such as a meeting or deadline. It can also refer to a position in a game, such as one in which players compete for a prize. The term came from electromechanical slot machines that had tilt switches, which made or broke circuits when a machine was tilted and tampered with, but the slots on modern slot machines no longer have these switches. In the workplace, slot-based scheduling can help managers and staff monitor important events and deadlines. It can also be used to establish objectives for completing projects on time.