A slot is a narrow aperture or groove, often with a depth varying from one edge to another. In computing, a slot can be used to describe any place on a motherboard in which an expansion card may fit, including ISA (industry standard architecture), AGP (accelerated graphics port), or SATA (Serial ATA) slots. It also can refer to a specific type of memory slot, such as an ATA or SD (solid state drive) slot.

In a slot machine, a player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a slot to activate the reels. When a winning combination of symbols lines up on the paylines, the player earns credits based on the game’s pay table. Symbols vary from game to game, but classic symbols include fruit, bells, and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot games have a theme, and bonus features align with that theme.

The chance to win a progressive jackpot is built into the maths of each slot. The software that runs the slot chooses when a jackpot event will occur, and it can be triggered by the lowest or highest wager, total stake across all machines, or a combination of factors.

A slot corner, or safety, is the third defensive back tasked with covering the slot receiver, usually the deepest receiving target on offense. These players must be highly conditioned and possess athletic ability to cover the quick, elusive movements of slot receivers.