A slot is a small opening in something, such as the gap between the tips of a bird’s primaries. It is also the name for a time and place allocated by an air-traffic authority for an aircraft to take off or land: “Air traffic control gave this airline a slot at 7am.”
The term “slot” also refers to a container used to display dynamic content on a Web page. A slot can either wait for content to fill it (a passive slot) or call for content to be added to it (an active slot). The latter requires a scenario that adds a repository item or points to one, and a renderer that specifies how the content is displayed.
Originally, slots were simple mechanical devices that paid out winning combinations by lining up symbols on a rotating reel. They have since evolved into the most popular and profitable form of casino entertainment in the United States. They’re easy to play, don’t require much knowledge or skill, and allow you to win big sums of money for a small bet.