slot

[ slot ]

/ slɒt /

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See synonyms for: slot / slots / slotted / slotting on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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).

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

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).

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.

Informal. slot machine (def. 1).

Aeronautics. See under slat¹ (def. 2).

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.

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

Computers. expansion slot.

verb (used with object), slot·ted, slot·ting.

to provide with a slot or slots; make a slot in.

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

verb (used without object), slot·ted, slot·ting.

to fit or be placed in a slot.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of slot

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

Other definitions for slot (2 of 2)

slot²

[ slot ]

/ slɒt /

noun

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

a track, trace, or trail of something.

Origin of slot

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. 2023

How to use slot in a sentence

If the Bearcats drop a game, an unbeaten BYU should take that slot.
Cincinnati and BYU are making a case for the College Football Playoff. Is anyone listening?|John Feinstein|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
While a single meeting can take multiple back-and-forths via email, Calendly shows only the available time slots of a user—bypassing any need for a lengthy email exchange.
Meet the unicorn founder that braved war zones and missed meetings to make his mark on the startup world|Lucinda Shen|November 20, 2020|Fortune
The tribes sought federal approval in early 2017 to operate a gambling facility off reservation land that would give 25 percent of its slot revenue to the state of Connecticut.
Senior Justice Dept. official stalled probe against former interior secretary Ryan Zinke, sources say|Juliet Eilperin, Matt Zapotosky|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Comes completely free off the slot, which is particularly odd because he gave away the rush early and Jones had adjusted the protection.
Washington football notes: Run-stop struggles, and the future at quarterback|Sam Fortier|November 10, 2020|Washington Post

A smaller slot in the chest pocket is perfect for separating sundries.
Cozy, Fashionable Layers for the Man in Your Life|Gabriela Aoun and Joe Jackson|November 10, 2020|Outside Online
Using a heatproof slotted spoon, remove the shallots to a paper towel-lined plate.
Make Carla Hall’s Crispy Shallot Green Bean Casserole|Carla Hall|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At home, I changed her diaper and slotted her into her high chair.
When An Adopted Child Won’t Attach|Tina Traster|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
NBC slotted it behind The Voice, its top-rated show, and launched it the day after it aired the Super Bowl.
‘Smash’ Ends Its Run: What Happened to This Once Promising Show?|Jason Lynch|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He had slotted the treasury post for his junior partner, Bennett.
How Bibi Stopped Being King|J. J. Goldberg|March 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the United States, only 10 percent of charitable donations is slotted specifically for girls.
Philanthropy in the City: Women Moving Millions Revolutionizes Fundraising|Nina Strochlic|October 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The outer end of the bar is slotted to receive the eccentric handle, through which a bolt, D, passes to form a bearing.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
Bend the lower tube at right angles and insert it in a wood block, previously slotted with a saw to make a snug fit.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
The slotted ceiling opened as McGuire watched, and the whole structure swung slowly around.
Astounding Stories of Super-Science, November, 1930|Various
In this motor both the field system and the armature consist of a slotted core built up of iron laminations.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
A slotted notch on one end the width of triggers, and sharpened at the other, is all that is necessary.
Deadfalls and Snares|A. R. (Arthur Robert) Harding

British Dictionary definitions for slot (1 of 2)

slot¹

/ (slɒt) /

noun

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

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

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

informal a place in a series or scheme

verb slots, slotting or slotted

(tr) to furnish with a slot or slots

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

informal to situate or be situated in a series or scheme

Derived forms of slot

slotter, noun

Word Origin for slot

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

British Dictionary definitions for slot (2 of 2)

slot²

/ (slɒt) /

noun

the trail of an animal, esp a deer

Word Origin for slot

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

slot

Origin of slot

OTHER WORDS FROM slot

Other definitions for slot (2 of 2)

Origin of slot

Words related to slot

How to use slot in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for slot (1 of 2)

Derived forms of slot

Word Origin for slot

British Dictionary definitions for slot (2 of 2)

Word Origin for slot