A narrow notch, groove, or opening, such as a keyway in a piece of machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also, a position in a group, series, sequence, or job. (journalism) The space on a copy desk reserved for the chief copy editor.

A slot is a space or period of time in a program, schedule, or calendar that can be allocated to an activity. For example, the symphony has an 8 p.m. slot on Saturday.

The amount of money paid to a slot machine for each spin. It is often a fixed percentage of the total coins inserted into the machine, but may vary by machine type and denomination. It can also be a percentage of the total credits won on each spin. It is not the same as the number of winning combinations a slot machine produces; this is determined by the probability of each symbol appearing on each reel.

Symbols used in a slot game that can be matched to form a winning combination and trigger bonus features or other special game elements. These symbols vary according to the theme of the game, but classics include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Some slots have themes that are aligned with popular culture or geographic locations, while others feature a particular style of gaming.

The odds that a slot machine will pay out, calculated from the total amount of money paid into it and the total number of possible combinations. This figure is based on the probability that each reel will land with a specific combination of symbols, and may be shown as a percentage or a decimal fraction. The slot payout rate is not necessarily the same as the casino’s profit margin, which varies by jurisdiction and type of slot machine.

A method of distributing a slot or portion of a slot to a class or subclass. The allocation of a slot is normally done by a school administrator, although it can be made on an individual basis. Depending on the allocation, the students can be assigned to a class that is either suitable for them or more advanced than their current level.

An aircraft slot is a designated time and place at which an airline can take off or land at an airport, authorized by air traffic control. Slots are typically published a week or more in advance.

The term slot also refers to a position in an organization or hierarchy, particularly the position of the chief copy editor. If something slotted into place easily or readily, it meant that it fit into a space where it belonged. For example, a CD player would easily fit into a slot in a CD player or a car seat belt would quickly slot into the buckle of the passenger seat. The same meaning can be applied to a position on a team, such as the slot for the starting quarterback in football.