What Is a Slot?

The number of paylines in a slot machine can vary, and so can the payout amounts. Some slots also have bonus games, Wilds, multipliers, and other special features that can increase your winning potential. A good rule of thumb is to play max bet if you want to have the best chance of hitting a jackpot. However, keep in mind that online slots are operated by RNGs and you cannot control how many symbols appear on a payline.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online sources to reflect current usage of the word’slot.’ Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In ornithology, a narrow notch in the tips of certain birds’ primaries, which during flight helps maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings.

n an area in front of an opponent’s goal in ice hockey, in which a player can obtain a vantage point to score a goal: He kicked the ball into the vacant slot between the posts.

A slot is an authorization to take off or land at a specific airport on a specific day during a specified time period. Airlines can request slots to reduce or avoid delays caused by excessive demand at busy airports. In the United States and worldwide, slot coordination is a key component of air traffic management. It is often regulated by local and federal law.