A narrow opening for receiving something, such as a coin or a letter. Also: a position, especially in a job or a machine.
a slot machine, a device that accepts paper tickets or coins and pays out prizes according to a set pattern, typically consisting of rows of symbols. Often, a slot machine has a lever or button that you can use to spin the reels, and a screen that displays how many winning combinations are possible. Some slots also have special features, such as progressive jackpots and free spins.
(computing) a space in memory or on a disk etc., into which data can be stored: The computer system has four save slots.
slang A short amount of money paid out by a slot machine as an incentive to keep a player betting; also, a term used for any kind of technical fault on an electromechanical slot machine: The door switch was in the wrong state, or the reel motor was out of control, or there wasn’t enough cash in the bank. Modern machines no longer have such switches, but a technical problem that prevents the machine from paying out is still called a slot.
In aviation, an allocated time for an aircraft to take off or land, granted by an airport or air-traffic controller: The airline was awarded 40 new slots at U.S. airports.
In a slot game, the information table that displays a slot’s regular symbols and their payout values; also indicates how the pay lines work and may include details of any bonus features. Usually, the information table can be accessed by clicking a trophy icon or what looks like a chart or grid icon in the slot game window.
