A slot is a narrow opening, slit, or groove, especially one for receiving something, as a key in a lock, a coin in a vending machine, or an arrow in a target. The term can also refer to a position or time in a schedule, series, or sequence: I’ve got a slot at 2 p.m.

An assigned, scheduled time for an aircraft to take off or land at a busy airport during a specified day and time period, as authorized by the airline and air traffic control. Slots are used throughout the world to help manage aircraft operations at high-traffic airports and prevent repeated delays that result from too many flights trying to land or take off at the same time.

Casino slot machines are games that pay out winnings (either in credits or virtual currency) to players who activate them by pushing a spin button or lever. They are programmed to display a certain number of possible outcomes, and random number generators decide which outcome will occur.

Slot machines are arguably the most popular and played pieces of casino equipment. They’re flashy, offer a wide variety of payouts, and can be very addictive. If you’re looking to play slots for real money, be sure to read up on the rules of the game and look out for any bonus features that can boost your bankroll. In addition to understanding the rules of a slot game, you’ll want to monitor jackpot levels and be observant of any machine states left by previous players.