slot

1
[ slot ]
See synonyms for: slotslotsslottedslotting on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a narrow, elongated depression, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, especially a narrow opening for receiving or admitting something, as a coin or a letter.

  2. a place or position, as in a sequence or series: The program received a new time slot on the broadcasting schedule.

  1. Linguistics. (especially in tagmemics) a position having a specific grammatical function within a construction into which any one of a set of morphemes or morpheme sequences can be fit.: Compare filler (def. 9).

  2. an assignment or job opening; position: I applied for the slot in management training.

  3. Journalism.

    • the interior opening in a copy desk, occupied by the chief copy editor.

    • the job or position of chief copy editor: He had the slot at the Gazette for 20 years.: Compare rim (def. 7).

  4. an allocated, scheduled time and place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority: 40 more slots for the new airline at U.S. airports.

  5. Aeronautics. See under slat1 (def. 2).

  6. Ornithology. a narrow notch or other similar opening between the tips of the primaries of certain birds, which during flight helps to maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings.

  7. Ice Hockey. an unmarked area near the front of an opponent's goal that affords a vantage for an attacking player.

  8. Computers. expansion slot.

verb (used with object),slot·ted, slot·ting.
  1. to provide with a slot or slots; make a slot in.

  2. to place or fit into a slot: We've slotted his appointment for four o'clock.

verb (used without object),slot·ted, slot·ting.
  1. to fit or be placed in a slot.

Origin of slot

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “hollow at the base of the throat above the breastbone,” from Old French esclot; further origin unclear

Other words from slot

  • un·slot·ted, adjective

Words Nearby slot

Other definitions for slot (2 of 2)

slot2
[ slot ]

noun
  1. the track or trail of a deer or other animal, as shown by the marks of the feet.

  2. a track, trace, or trail of something.

Origin of slot

2
First recorded in 1565–75; from Anglo-French, Old French esclot “the hoofprint of a horse,” probably from Old Norse slōth “track, trail”; see also sleuthhound

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use slot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for slot (1 of 2)

slot1

/ (slɒt) /


noun
  1. an elongated aperture or groove, such as one in a vending machine for inserting a coin

  2. an air passage in an aerofoil to direct air from the lower to the upper surface, esp the gap formed behind a slat

  1. a vertical opening between the leech of a foresail and a mast or the luff of another sail through which air spills from one against the other to impart forward motion

  2. informal a place in a series or scheme

verbslots, slotting or slotted
  1. (tr) to furnish with a slot or slots

  2. (usually foll by in or into) to fit or adjust in a slot

  1. informal to situate or be situated in a series or scheme

Origin of slot

1
C13: from Old French esclot the depression of the breastbone, of unknown origin

Derived forms of slot

  • slotter, noun

British Dictionary definitions for slot (2 of 2)

slot2

/ (slɒt) /


noun
  1. the trail of an animal, esp a deer

Origin of slot

2
C16: from Old French esclot horse's hoof-print, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sloth track; see sleuth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012