A narrow opening in a machine or container. The slot is what you insert money into to make the machine work.
A position in a series or sequence, as of jobs, dates, or other events. We need to find a time that everyone can meet to discuss the report. The slot is in the afternoon.
In a computer, a slot is an open area in the motherboard where you can install expansion cards (such as ISA, PCI, or AGP slots). A slot also refers to a position in a file system, database, or network, such as a folder, share, or partition.
On a slot machine, the symbols displayed on the reels and in the credit meter indicate how many credits the player has won. Symbols vary from game to game, but classic ones include bells, fruits, and stylized lucky sevens. Most slot machines have a theme and bonus features aligned with that theme.
Modern slot machines are armor-plated, have tempered glass and are equipped with sensors to detect abuse. Slamming or banging a slot machine will cause it to malfunction and may shut down, voiding any winnings it might have. Abuse also includes tampering, such as slamming a machine’s handle or lifting it off the foundation.
Psychologists Robert Breen and Marc Zimmerman found that people who play video slot machines reach debilitating levels of involvement with gambling three times more rapidly than those who play other casino games, such as poker or betting on sports. The popularity of these machines has led to calls for increased regulation and restrictions on their distribution and use.