slot

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈslät 

1

a

: a narrow opening or groove : slit, notch

a mail slot in a door

b

: a narrow passage or enclosure

c

: a passage through the wing of an airplane or of a missile that is located usually near the leading edge and formed between a main and an auxiliary airfoil for improving flow conditions over the wing so as to increase lift and delay stalling of the wing

d

: the area on a hockey rink in front of the crease and between the face-off circles

2

: a place or position in an organization, arrangement, or sequence : niche, spot

3

: slot machine sense 2

—usually used in plural

4

: a gap between an end and a tackle in an offensive football line

slot

2 of 3

verb

slotted; slotting

transitive verb

1

: to cut a slot in

2

: to place in or assign to a slot

intransitive verb

: to fit easily

her ideas slot neatly into the theory

slot

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural slot

: the track of an animal (such as a deer)

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• groove
• niche
• place

Examples of slot in a Sentence

Noun (1)

called an old friend to see if he could find a slot for his college-age son in the construction business that summer

Verb

He slotted the piece of wood into the groove.

Her ideas slot neatly into the theory.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Casino operating expenses rose to 36.3% of casino revenue, up from 34.5% due to higher labor and slot participation expenses. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024

After spending the rest of 2017 touring the world behind Joanne (including a headlining slot at Coachella, swooping in to replace a pregnant Beyoncé atop the bill), Gaga devoted 2018 to her first Hollywood starring role, in Bradley Cooper’s remake of A Star is Born. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

The rounded toe boxes provide ample room for your feet to fit comfortably, and three stunning, neutral colors will slot effortlessly into your existing footwear collection. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2024

What’s the best way to slot them into your workout? —Christa Sgobba, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, the hollow at the base of the throat above the breastbone, from Anglo-French esclot hoofprint, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German slag blow, hoofprint; probably from its resemblance to a hoofprint — more at schlock

Noun (2)

Middle French esclot track

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1747, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1575, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing slot

• expansion slot
• slot car
• slot in
• slot machine
• slot racing

Kids Definition

slot

1 of 2 noun

ˈslät 

: a long narrow opening, groove, or passage : slit, notch

slot

2 of 2 verb

slotted; slotting

: to cut a slot in