slot

1 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: a narrow opening or groove : slit, notch
a mail slot in a door
b
: a narrow passage or enclosure
c
: a passage through the wing of an airplane or of a missile that is located usually near the leading edge and formed between a main and an auxiliary airfoil for improving flow conditions over the wing so as to increase lift and delay stalling of the wing
d
: the area on a hockey rink in front of the crease and between the face-off circles
2
: a place or position in an organization, arrangement, or sequence : niche, spot
3
: slot machine sense 2
usually used in plural
4
: a gap between an end and a tackle in an offensive football line

slot

2 of 3

verb

slotted; slotting

transitive verb

1
: to cut a slot in
2
: to place in or assign to a slot

intransitive verb

: to fit easily
her ideas slot neatly into the theory

slot

3 of 3

noun (2)

plural slot
: the track of an animal (such as a deer)

Examples of slot in a Sentence

Verb He slotted the piece of wood into the groove. Her ideas slot neatly into the theory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Your choices are 18 red spaces, 18 black spaces, and a green zero; American versions also have a 00 slot. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Abada will occupy a Young Designated Player slot on Charlotte’s roster. Steve Lyttle, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024 Although, die-hard Richard Mille lovers will notice this is the first time the brand has changed the iconic screws around the outer edge of the bezels to Torq set screws, which has head slots that are distinctive and different from the norm. Rebecca Suhrawardi, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2024 The contest for the top two slots and the opportunity to face off in November’s general election wasn’t even close. Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Last year, however, Swift took up six slots, while Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius — decidedly rock but with significant pophead appeal — had three spots. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2024 That leaves six candidates vying for five starting slots Tuesday. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2024 But opportunities were limited for Joseph in the slot, where his speed and shiftiness can be maximized. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Elsewhere, the speaker ports, fingerprint reader and sim slot are located in the same spots as the Fold 5. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
The top four teams will be slotted into the most advantageous locations, with the top seed getting the most preference. Ralph D. Russo and Stephen Hawkins, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 This simple shirt has quickly gained popularity at Amazon as a new release and is made with a stretchy elastane and polyester material that’s available in five neutral colors to slot into any traveler's wardrobe. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2024 Had his images instead been slotted into a lineage of photojournalistic documentation of the British working class, like the work of, say, Chris Killip, the story might have been different. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024 The domain did not seem as lucrative as .tv — which was slotted to Tuvalu, another South Pacific nation — and the leaders of Niue (pronounced New-ay) signed off on the deal. Jacob Judah, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024 Because of his age, he could be slotted as one of Inter Miami’s three Under-22 Initiative players, replacing fellow Argentine Facundo Farias, who is expected to miss the 2024 season after sustaining a torn ACL during the team’s first preseason game at El Salvador. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2024 The Super Bowl halftime show is slotted for 12-15 minutes. Steve Gardner, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2024 League champions are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs as well as a home game. Warriors out The Army and Navy Academy (14-9) boys team was slotted as the No. 16 seed in Division 3. John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 Chisholm, a defenseman claimed off waivers from Winnipeg last month, will slot into the Wild blue line in a 4 p.m. puck drop against the Buffalo Sabres at Xcel Energy Center. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'slot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, the hollow at the base of the throat above the breastbone, from Anglo-French esclot hoofprint, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German slag blow, hoofprint; probably from its resemblance to a hoofprint — more at schlock

Noun (2)

Middle French esclot track

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1523, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1747, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of slot was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near slot

Cite this Entry

“Slot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slot. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

slot

1 of 2 noun
: a long narrow opening, groove, or passage : slit, notch

slot

2 of 2 verb
slotted; slotting
: to cut a slot in

More from Merriam-Webster on slot

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