slot

¹

[ slot ]

noun

1. a narrow, elongated depression, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, especially a narrow opening for receiving or admitting something, as a coin or a letter.
2. a place or position, as in a sequence or series:

   The program received a new time slot on the broadcasting schedule.

3. 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 ).
4. an assignment or job opening; position:

   I applied for the slot in management training.

5. Journalism.
   1. the interior opening in a copy desk, occupied by the chief copy editor.
   2. the job or position of chief copy editor: Compare rim ( def 7 ).

      He had the slot at the Gazette for 20 years.

6. 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.

7. Informal. slot machine ( def 1 ).
8. Aeronautics. slat12
9. 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.
10. Ice Hockey. an unmarked area near the front of an opponent's goal that affords a vantage for an attacking player.
11. Computers. expansion slot.

verb (used with object)

, slot·ted, slot·ting.

1. to provide with a slot or slots; make a slot in.
2. to place or fit into a slot:

   We've slotted his appointment for four o'clock.

verb (used without object)

, slot·ted, slot·ting.

1. to fit or be placed in a slot.

slot

²

[ slot ]

noun

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

slot

¹

/ slɒt /

noun

1. the trail of an animal, esp a deer

slot

²

/ slɒt /

noun

1. an elongated aperture or groove, such as one in a vending machine for inserting a coin
2. an air passage in an aerofoil to direct air from the lower to the upper surface, esp the gap formed behind a slat
3. 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
4. informal.
   a place in a series or scheme

verb

1. tr to furnish with a slot or slots
2. usually foll byin or into to fit or adjust in a slot
3. informal.
   to situate or be situated in a series or scheme

Derived Forms

• ˈslotter, noun

Other Words From

• un·slotted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slot¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “hollow at the base of the throat above the breastbone,” from Old French esclot; further origin unclear

Origin of slot²

First recorded in 1565–75; from Anglo-French, Old French esclot “the hoofprint of a horse,” probably from Old Norse slōth “track, trail”; sleuthhound

Word History and Origins

Origin of slot¹

C16: from Old French esclot horse's hoof-print, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sloth track; see sleuth

Origin of slot²

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

Example Sentences

“Nickel Boys” premiered on the last day of August at the Telluride Film Festival in a late-night slot immediately following the crowd-pleasing “Conclave.”

From Los Angeles Times

Ball later announced that Scott Mills will be her replacement, moving from his afternoon show slot on the station.

From BBC

Anscombe converted before slotting over two penalties as Wales trailed by six points at half-time.

From BBC

Indeed, when the rankings came out a month after Dr. Sasse made the comments, in September 2023, Florida dropped a slot.

From New York Times

Smith then did slot a penalty to put England ahead on 51 minutes, before Pollard bounced one off the crossbar to reclaim it on 58 minutes.

From BBC

Related Words

• channel
• groove
• hole
• niche
• position
• space
• vacancy