a position in a grammatical linguistic construction in which a variety of alternative units are interchangeable
"he developed a version of slot grammar"
a position in a hierarchy or organization
"Bob Dylan occupied the top slot for several weeks"
"she beat some tough competition for the number one slot"
the trail of an animal (especially a deer)
"he followed the deer's slot over the soft turf to the edge of the trees"
(computer) a socket in a microcomputer that will accept a plug-in circuit board
"the PC had three slots for additional memory"
a slot machine that is used for gambling
"they spend hours and hours just playing the slots"
A broad, flat, wooden bar, a slat, especially as used to secure a door, window, etc.
"She carefully aligned the metal key to fit perfectly into the slot on the side of the old safe."
A narrow depression, perforation, or aperture; especially, one for the reception of a piece fitting or sliding in it.
In plain English: A slot is an empty space or opening where something fits perfectly.
"She placed the coin into the slot on the vending machine."
To bar, bolt or lock a door or window.
"She dropped the quarter into the vending machine's coin slot to get her snack."
To put something (such as a coin) into a slot (narrow aperture)
In plain English: To slot something means to fit it into a specific place or position easily.
"Please slot your luggage into the overhead compartment before we take off."
Usage: Use this verb when describing the action of securing a door or window with a sliding metal bar to prevent it from opening. It is distinct from simply closing a latch because it involves engaging a specific locking mechanism designed for security.
The word "slot" comes from Old Norse slóð, meaning "track," and entered English via Middle English before evolving to describe a narrow opening for inserting items. Its modern uses, such as in gambling machines or calendars, developed later through clipping the phrase "slot machine" and by metaphorically equating time spans with physical segments of a page or device.