A slot is a narrow opening, groove, notch, or slit, especially one for receiving or admitting something, such as a coin or letter. Also: (in computing) A space in a computer memory or disk in which a specific type of object can be stored. A slot in a game of chance that allows the player to place coins or tokens in the machine to activate its reels and win credits based on the paytable. Often, slot machines have a theme such as a style, location, or character, and feature symbols aligned with that theme.
In ornithology, a narrow notch between the tips of some birds’ primaries that helps maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings during flight.
The area on a baseball or other sporting field in front of the goal, occupied by the player closest to the blue line. (ice hockey) The rectangular area in front of the opposing team’s net that stretches toward the blue line.
A gambling device that uses spinning reels to generate random combinations of symbols when triggered by a lever or button (physical or virtual) pressed by the player. A player can insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a barcoded paper ticket with a unique serial number. Upon activation, the machine displays the symbols on its screen and, if the symbols line up in accordance with the paytable, awards the player with credits based on the game’s payout rules. Depending on the game, some slots allow players to choose their own paylines while others are fixed.