A slot is a narrow opening or a groove or slit, especially one for receiving something, such as a coin or a letter. It can also refer to a position or assignment: “I was assigned the slot in management training.”
A trough or groove along the edge of a piece of equipment, such as a car, where oil is drained. It may be used to prevent the oil from getting on other parts of the vehicle, such as the engine. The slot is often a smooth surface, but it can be molded to match the contour of the part.
In slot machines, a player inserts cash or, in “ticket-in, ticket-out” machines, a paper ticket with a barcode into a slot on the machine. The machine then activates a series of reels to rearrange the symbols, and pays out credits according to a pay table. Most slot games have a theme, and the symbols and bonus features are aligned with that theme.