A narrow notch, groove, or opening, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or letter. Also used figuratively: A time or place in a schedule or program; an assignment or job position.
Sports A player in an American football team who lines up directly behind the quarterback or is sent out to receive passes. Slotbacks are often more likely to be good receivers than fullbacks because they can get closer to the line of scrimmage and can use their bluffing and waggle tactics. Examples are Darren Sproles, Larry Fitzgerald and Christian McCaffrey.
The slot in a computer is an area of memory where data can be stored. Slots are accessed through the sys.argv() function. In some cases, slots can be shared across processes by using the sys.argv() global variable.
In modern casinos, the slot machine is a game that uses reels to display symbols and pay out winning combinations when the lever or button is pulled. The first slot machines had three spinning reels, but newer versions can have five or more. Symbols on the reels are weighted to determine how often they appear and the chances of winning.
A machine’s volatility is an important factor to consider when choosing a game. Low volatility means a machine pays out frequently, but the amount of each win is small. High volatility machines are risky, but they offer larger jackpots. A plaque marks the site of Charles Fey’s workshop in San Francisco, where he invented the three-reel Liberty Bell slot machine in 1899.