A narrow opening, as a keyway in a door or window, into which something can fit. Also, a position or series of positions in a sequence or hierarchy: He has an important slot on the editorial board.
In a slot machine, a coin or paper ticket with a barcode is inserted into the designated slot on the machine’s front panel or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, into an overhead bin. The reels then spin and stop to rearrange symbols according to the paytable. When a winning combination is produced, the player receives credits based on the paytable. Depending on the theme, a slot machine may have different symbols and bonus features.
In the NFL, a slot receiver is a wide receiver who primarily runs shorter routes on the route tree, such as slants and quick outs. These players are often quicker and more agile than traditional boundary receivers, enabling them to stretch the defense vertically using their speed. They also tend to have more reliable hands than their larger counterparts, and can help cover more ground on a given play. However, because of their limited numbers, many teams have difficulty finding enough good slots to field a full roster.