A narrow notch, groove, notch, or opening, as a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. Also: the interior opening of a copy desk, occupied by a chief copy editor. (journalism) The position on the staff of a newspaper or magazine occupied by the chief copy editor. (linguistics) A slot in a construction into which any one of several morphemes or morpheme sequences can fit. Compare filler (def 9).

In a slot game, a player inserts cash or, in ticket-in, ticket-out machines, a paper ticket with a barcode, into a designated slot on the machine, which activates the reels and then displays symbols. When a winning combination appears, the machine pays out credits based on its pay table. Different types of symbols are used, depending on the theme of the machine. In addition to traditional fruit, bells, and stylized lucky sevens, many modern slots have more complex graphics and bonus features.

It can be tempting to chase a big win on a slot, but for it to remain fun and responsible, players should determine their goals before playing. Know how much time and money you’re willing to invest in the game, set limits for yourself, and never play beyond those limits. It’s also important to be aware of the speed of a slot game, and not let yourself get caught up in the excitement of rapid action or the potential for quick payouts.