1. a hole, groove, or slit in which a coin may be inserted or slotted into a machine
2. (computing) A space on a disk or in memory in which a particular type of object can be stored. The game offers four save slots.
3. A position, time, or opportunity to perform something. He booked a time slot for the next exam.
4. In airport coordination, a limitation on planned aircraft operations at a busy airport to prevent excessive delays caused by too many flights trying to take off or land simultaneously. The term is also used to refer to a specific time period during which an airline must request a landing or takeoff slot.
5. In a slot machine, the area on which a symbol must appear to trigger a payout.
Slot machines are one of the most popular forms of gambling, and can be very addictive. Before playing, it’s important to understand the rules of the game and the risks involved. To maximize your chances of winning, avoid playing in the main slot areas and stay away from machines that are located close to gaming tables or ticket lines. These machines are designed to draw attention, so they tend to have lower payouts than those in more obscure locations. Also, remember that there is no such thing as a “due” payout—slot results are completely random and determined by the random number generator.