A slot is a narrow opening, especially one that accepts coins or other objects. It may also refer to a position in a schedule or program, such as an airplane time slot.
A machine that pays out small amounts continuously, often to keep a player seated and betting. It is usually a mechanical machine, but can also be a video slot. A slot machine also has a candle, which flashes to indicate change needed, hand pay requested or a problem with the machine. Electromechanical machines used tilt switches that made or broke a circuit when the machine was tampered with; this caused an alarm and a “taste.” Modern electromechanical slots use a credit meter to show the total amount of credits a player has played, but some still have candles.
In football, a wide receiver who lines up in the slot position, between tight ends and outside linebackers. This allows them to run precise routes and block outside linebackers.
An opening in a computer into which you can insert an expansion board. Unlike bays, which are sites within the computer for disk drives, slots are located on the back of the system.
A slot is an allocated and scheduled time for a plane to take off or land at an airport, typically during times of congestion or when the runway is full. In Europe, slots are managed by EUROCONTROL’s Flow Management Unit (FMu). Airlines that do not use the slot they have been assigned must wait until another airline vacates it or until the next FMu time slot comes available.
