A narrow notch, groove, slit, or opening, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Also used figuratively. (Linguistics) A position in a sequence, series, or structure into which something can be fitted; a slot in the morpheme scheme of a word or phrase; a time allocation for a broadcast; a job or career slot. See also slit, notch, and gap.
Slot Machine
A slot machine is a gambling machine that takes in cash or, in the case of “ticket-in/ticket-out” machines, paper tickets with barcodes that correspond to a specific reel number. The machine then displays a grouping of symbols on its screen. When the spin button is pressed, a random number is generated by the machine and compared with the symbols displayed on the screen. If the player matches a winning combination, he or she receives credits based on the paytable. Symbols vary by theme, but classic symbols include fruits, bells, and stylized lucky sevens.
While the majority of slot players are recreational gamblers who enjoy the game for its fun and excitement, a small percentage is at risk of developing serious gambling problems, including financial debt, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and involvement in illegal activities. These problems are often caused by the allure of the slot machine’s constant rewards and attention-grabbing, intermittent reinforcement. Psychologists have found that slots can be particularly addictive and cause debilitating gambling disorders.