A narrow opening, slit, or groove. A passage or gap, especially in a wall or roof. (computing) A space on a disk or other storage medium into which data can be stored. Also, an area of a display that can be filled with data. (sports) An unmarked area in front of the goal on an ice hockey rink that affords a good vantage point for attacking players.

A slot is a position, time, or place for an aircraft to take off or land as authorized by air-traffic control. The number of slots available varies with demand. The slots are distributed among airports according to capacity and runway length, and are assigned by the air-traffic controller.

Slots are a favorite pastime of casinogoers, offering a variety of themes and play styles. While there is a certain element of luck involved in winning, savvy gamers can use strategies to improve their chances of hitting the jackpot.

Unlike traditional table games, slot machines are activated by inserting cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode. The player then activates the machine by pushing a lever or button (physical or virtual) to spin reels that contain symbols. When the symbols match a winning combination, the player receives credits based on the paytable. Most slot machines have multiple paylines, and some have wild symbols that can multiply your bets or open bonus levels. Some even have progressive jackpots. The symbols vary by theme, but classics include fruit and stylized lucky sevens.