A slot is a narrow opening, usually of a piece of furniture. It may also refer to a position or role, such as in a game of poker, or a job or assignment.

Unlike electromechanical slot machines that have tilt switches to detect physical tampering, modern video slots use a computer program to randomly place symbols on the reels. A player presses the spin button to initiate a spin, and if the program stops at a winning combination, the player receives a payout. A number of bonus features can be added to the basic slot game, such as free spins, multiplier symbols, and progressive jackpots.

The word “slot” has multiple meanings, but all of them relate to narrow openings or positions. The term was first used in the 16th century, and it is believed to have come from the Dutch noun slot or staart, which meant slit or narrow opening. The earliest known use of the word in English was in a 1623 dictionary of slang and jargon. It later gained popularity in the United States, where it became a part of everyday language by the 18th century. The word’s usage continued to grow, and in the 20th century, it became common to refer to any small or narrow opening. Examples of this use can be found in the works of writers such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and F. Scott Fitzgerald.