slot

¹ American  

[slot] / slɒt /

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.

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.

      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.

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.

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verb (used with object)

slotted, slotting

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)

slotted, slotting

1. to fit or be placed in a slot.

slot ² American  

[slot] / slɒt /

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.

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slot ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to furnish with a slot or slots

2. to fit or adjust in a slot

3. informal to situate or be situated in a series or scheme

slot ² British  

/ slɒt /

noun

1. the trail of an animal, esp a deer

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Other Word Forms

• slotter noun
• unslotted adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

She recognizes that Irreversible Entanglements might be offered more shows and slots at festivals if their music were “safer.”

From Los Angeles Times

He's a well-known figure, and was trusted with a key slot when he replaced Ken Bruce.

From BBC

Notifications will be sent 48 hours before the purchase time slot begins, with the last batch coming as late as April 4.

From Los Angeles Times

Mills moved to Radio 2 to take over the weekday afternoon slot from Steve Wright in 2022, marking the end of an era for many listeners.

From BBC

Seven matches have been moved to the Monday 20:00 slot, with only three Saturday 3pm fixtures so far at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

From BBC

Related Words

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