A slot is a narrow opening into which something can be fitted, especially a slot in a door or window. You can use a slot to insert a coin or letter in a machine, or to receive mail at a post office. A slot is also a position or assignment, such as the job of chief copy editor at a newspaper.
The word slot first appeared in English around 1520, but it had several earlier meanings. One of these was the “bar or bolt used to fasten a shut door or closed window,” from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German slot, probably from Proto-Germanic *slutila- (source also of Old Frisian sletel, Old High German sluzil, and German Schloss “bolt, lock, castle”). Another early sense of the word was “the place in the line for a ticket.”
If you want to play slots online, it’s important to understand how paylines work. This is because different games can have varying rules, including how many paylines are available and which symbols land on them. The paytable will typically explain the rules of a particular game, and it’s helpful to read this before you start playing.
In American football, a slot receiver is a player who positions himself closer to the ball carrier than other wide receivers in order to receive passes from the quarterback. These players are vital in running plays, but they also face increased risk of injury because they are in a more vulnerable position.