slot machine

noun

1. a gambling machine operated by inserting coins into a slot and pulling a handle that activates a set of spinning symbols on wheels, the final alignment of which determines the payoff that is released into a receptacle at the bottom.
2. any machine operated by inserting coins into a slot, as a vending machine.

slot machine

noun

1. a machine, esp one for selling small articles or for gambling, activated by placing a coin or metal disc in a slot

Word History and Origins

Origin of slot machine¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Jacob: The last time I was in Atlantic City, I sat at the Sex and the City slot machine and I ordered cosmopolitans.

From The Daily Beast

Long-term, the markets remain a casino—or, still worse, a slot machine, where money disappears into an electronic box.

From The Daily Beast

It was metallic—about the size of a penny slot-machine bar of chocolate, if you remember back that far.

From Project Gutenberg

And now she had dropped the precious coins down the hungry mouth of a slot machine.

From Project Gutenberg

This was a device which has become familiar in recent times as the penny-in-the-slot machine.

From Project Gutenberg

He sauntered over and dropped a quarter into the slot-machine by the door, but the thing was frozen up and refused to work.

From Project Gutenberg

I got a wire hairpin and went over to the slot-machine, but when I had finally dug out the money I could hardly see it for tears.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• vending machine