Slot is a term that means:

A narrow opening, hole, or groove into which something can fit, such as a slot in a typewriter where a ribbon goes. Also:
A position or area of a game, such as the high slot in hockey where a defenseman can take a blistering slap shot.

In the casino industry, a slot is a specific area of a gambling machine where coins are inserted and the reels spin. These areas are usually marked with an identifier such as a number, letter, or symbol. When the symbols line up in a winning combination, the player earns credits based on the pay table and the machine’s payout ratio.

Some machines allow players to insert cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with a barcode. Then the machine is activated by a lever or button (either physical or on a touchscreen) to spin the reels and rearrange the symbols. When the symbols match a winning combination on the paytable, the player earns credits based on their bet amount.

In business, a slot-based schedule is an effective way to prioritize urgent tasks and support consistent workflow throughout the day. For example, a health care provider might use time slots to set appointments for patients. This allows them to sort clients into groups such as urgent care and routine check-ups, and then schedule each type of appointment for a different time. This approach reduces scheduling conflicts and ensures important meetings get the attention they deserve.