A narrow opening or groove into which something can be inserted. The term slot is also used to describe a position in a series or sequence, such as a person’s job: “He has the slot of chief copy editor.”

In computing, a slot is a place where an add-on card (such as one that expands a computer’s capabilities) can be inserted into a system. In the US, some casinos have slots where players can insert cash or paper tickets with a barcode; these are known as “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines. The word is also used to refer to a position in an activity, such as the high slot in hockey, from which a defenseman can take a blistering slap shot.

The narrow notch or other similar opening between the tips of the primaries of certain birds, during flight, which helps to maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings. Ornithology.

A method of organizing work events according to specific time periods, often referred to as the “slot-based” method. This can be useful in organizations that require consistency in scheduling, such as health care providers who may schedule consultations and evaluation reviews with clients by appointment type. This approach to scheduling encourages open communication and can help teams prioritize critical deadlines. It can also reduce the need for back-and-forth communications and ensures that all team members are aware of important upcoming meetings. For example, a scheduler might include informal team meetings in the same weekly time slot as evaluation review with management.