A slot is a narrow notch, hole, groove, or opening, such as a keyway in a lock or a slit for coins in a vending machine. He dropped a coin into the slot and dialed.
In a gambling machine, a slot is the space where a person inserts cash or a paper ticket with a barcode (in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines). The machine then activates the reels to rearrange symbols and award credits based on combinations. Slots can also have multiple pay lines and bonus features that trigger when certain symbols appear on the reels. Most slots have a theme, and the symbols and other aspects of the game vary according to that theme.
A quarter slot is a type of slot that yields a higher value than nickel and penny slots but is less expensive and risky than a dollar slot. This type of slot is commonly found at land casinos and online casinos and is a popular choice among players on a budget.
An airport slot is the right to operate at a specific time at a congested airport. These slots are awarded primarily to airlines that have requested them, though some can be sold, such as the $75 million one paid for an early morning landing slot at Heathrow during the coronavirus pandemic in 2016.