A slit or other narrow opening, usually for receiving something, such as a coin or letter. Also: an assigned position, especially one in a line or series of positions; a spot or place. See also slot machine and time slot.
A groove or channel cast or planed in the upper surface of a table, plate, or other workpiece. The groove or slot is shaped like an inverted capital T and is often referred to as a t-slot or t-hole. A t-slot is an important part of a workpiece and requires careful planning to avoid damage or distortion.
In a slot, the pin is screwed into S and the cylindrical end of the pin fits into the narrow slot cut in the screwhead. The slot is then used as a guide to position the screwhead and prevent the screwhead from twisting in its socket, or “slotting” the screw head.
The t-slot is also found in the cross-member of a vehicle frame, where it acts as a guide to position the axle box. It is common in construction to use a t-slot as a bearing location for a shaft, especially when the shaft is not supported by the frame and must bear against its side faces.
On a computer, a slot is an empty or occupied peripheral expansion slot (ISA, PCI, AGP). When you plug a card into a slot on your motherboard, it connects to a memory or expansion controller in the system. Using a card in this way lets you upgrade the capacity of your machine without removing it and plugging it back in.
When playing slots, it is important to keep in mind that you are not playing alone. While it might seem like it is you versus the machine, you are in a communal gaming environment and must respect the rights of others to have a positive experience. Practice good slot etiquette to protect your money, and the rights of others.
A statistical measure of the percentage of total coins or tokens a slot returns over a certain period of time. This statistic is useful for comparing the performance of different machines, and can help you find a game that has the highest potential to pay out.
Unlike Class 2 games that deliver a fixed series of outcomes in a predetermined order, Class 3 slot games generate outcomes using a random number generator. The results are based on the probability of a particular symbol appearing in a given stop on the reel. This allows for much higher jackpot sizes and more combinations.
A slot is a position that an aircraft can be allocated for takeoff or landing at an airport. In Europe, slots are allocated by EUROCONTROL as part of its flow management function. They are particularly useful when an airport experiences high levels of congestion, and they can save considerable time, fuel, and emissions by avoiding unnecessary aircraft circling. The use of slots in other parts of the world is increasing, as air traffic control agencies face similar challenges.