A narrow opening into which something else can be fitted. Examples include the hole in a door into which a lock fits, and the position on a newspaper’s copy desk held by the chief sub-editor. Also, the slit in a car seat belt that allows it to slide easily into place. The term slot may also refer to a time in a schedule or program: He booked a time slot for his appointment with the doctor.

A line crossing each reel in a slot machine that determines winning combinations. A modern slot machine can have multiple pay lines, with some being zigzag or other shapes in addition to straight lines. Online slots often display their pay tables on the screen, with colourful graphics and clear information making it easy to read.

In football, a player who plays in the wide receiver position. Slot receivers need to be fast, and they need to be able to run complex routes involving elusion and evasion. Some players can play both the wide receiver and the slot position, but others have to specialize in one or the other.

In casinos, a machine that has gone long without paying off and is “due” to hit. The fact that a machine has gone long without hitting does not mean it is due to hit, and playing a machine just because it’s in the end of an aisle does not increase the likelihood of a win.