A slot is a narrow opening, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or paper.

In a video slot machine, the player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a designated slot on the machine to activate the game. Then, the player spins the reels to match symbols and, if they line up in a winning combination, they receive credits proportional to their bet amount.

The term slot can also refer to an occupied position in a schedule, calendar, or workflow. For example, using time slots to establish important deadlines for work may help support productivity and ensure that teams meet key objectives. This method can also be beneficial for tracking multiple deadlines or events that occur at different times of the day. For example, a health care provider may use slot-based scheduling to set appointments with clients by appointment type (e.g. urgent, routine, or consultation).