A slit or narrow opening for receiving something, as a coin or letter. The term is also used for a position or assignment, as in “I’m looking for a new slot for my web developer.”
A casino game. It is a machine with reels that spin and a lever or button that you press to activate them. The slot machine has a random number generator that determines whether you win or lose. Unlike other casino games, slots don’t require any gambling knowledge and can be played by anyone with a set amount of money to spend. The machine will then return the amount of money you invested plus some additional profits if you’re lucky enough.
In football, a player who specializes in pass-catching and typically plays on passing downs. The slot receiver is different from other wide receivers, who run short routes to open up passes and catch touchdowns. Some examples of good slot receivers include Wes Welker and Antonio Brown.
In computing, a hardware component that allows a computer to expand its memory, add an expansion card, or connect to other devices on a motherboard. A slot is commonly known as an expansion port, although it can also refer to a socket for receiving plug-in cards (such as ISA, PCI, or AGP). Integrated circuits that have one or more slots are called embedded systems.
The act of filling a container with liquid, food, or other material for storage. This is often done in restaurants, but may also be carried out at homes or other businesses. The container is then sealed and the contents weighed to determine the quantity to be charged or reimbursed for.
An aircraft seat reserved for an airline passenger, sometimes along with other types of seats. It is possible to reserve a slot online or by calling the airline. Airlines prioritize passengers who reserve their own slot and have a higher likelihood of making it to their destination on time. If a flight is delayed, the airline will likely attempt to fill any available slots before rerouting passengers.
In physics, the distance between two points along a curve that intersects a line segment or other geometric figure. This is sometimes used as an alternative to the more common radius, which is a measure of the radius of a circle.
In the US, a casino or other gaming establishment that offers multiple denominations of slot machines. These machines are often operated by independent operators and can be found throughout the country. Each state has its own regulations for operating a slot machine. Generally, they must be licensed and offer fair odds of winning to attract customers. In addition to the standard machines, many casinos feature special slot machines with bonus rounds, free spins, and other features that increase the chances of winning. It is recommended that you test the payout percentage of each machine before spending any real money. It is also a good idea to establish a budget and stick to it.