1. A slit or other narrow opening. 2. A position or place, such as an assignment or a job opening. 3. The slot (of an airplane) where it is scheduled to land or take off.

A slot is a specific time and place for an event or activity, especially on a ship or airplane. The word is also used to refer to a position in an office or school, or the time of day when something is done. For example, a newspaper might have the slots for the morning, afternoon, and evening editions.

On a slot machine, a player inserts cash or paper tickets with barcodes (in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines) into a slot and then activates the reels by pushing a button or pulling an arm. The symbols then appear on the screen and if they match a winning combination, the player receives credits according to the pay table. Depending on the game, payouts may be determined by how many pay lines are active or by the presence of bonus symbols that trigger special rounds.

When playing slot, it’s important to gamble responsibly. This means setting limits on how much time and money you’re willing to spend and knowing when to quit. You should also seek help if you suspect you have a gambling problem. It’s also a good idea to arrive at the casino early, as it can be tempting to spend more than you intend to when there are lots of exciting games to try.