A narrow opening, slit, or groove, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Often used as a metaphor for a position in a series or sequence; also: the space on a typewriter keybar where an alphabetic character is placed, or a space left in a word processor document. (Computer) A space in memory or on a disk in which a certain type of object can be stored. The slot for a disk drive is 8 MB.
A slot can be filled by a floppy or hard disk drive, or can be empty. A floppy disk is often called a diskette, and a hard disk drive is called a hard disk.
Slot games are popular and available on many platforms, including mobile phones, tablet computers, and VR headsets. Many casino websites offer free versions of slot games so that players can practice before playing for real money. These games are also a great way to win bonuses and prizes.
The first slot machine was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a mechanic from San Francisco. It was a tall, noisy box with three spinning reels and symbols like cherries and the eponymous Liberty Bell. It required a coin to operate, and was known as a one-armed bandit because it was operated with a lever on the side. Forces of morality and law frequently opposed slot machines, which eventually led to their prohibition outside California by the 1920s. By the 1950s electronic components had been added to slot machines, making them less mechanical and more complex.