A narrow notch, groove or opening, such as a keyway in machinery or a slit for coins in a vending machine.

A slot can also be used as a reference to a position in a sequence, series or hierarchy. For example, a job candidate might be interviewed in the slot immediately after completing an application. Similarly, a musician might play the last available slot on a stage.

Slot games are games of chance that allow players to earn credits based on the paytable and their winning combinations of symbols. The symbols vary according to the theme, but classics include fruit, bells and stylized lucky sevens. Many slots have special features that add to the entertainment value, such as free spins or bonus rounds.

In hockey, the slot is an area of the ice where a centre or winger has a clear view of the net. This advantage allows them to make wrist shots more easily without having to worry about deflections. In turn, this gives the offense a better chance of scoring and helps to discourage defences from attempting to deflect shots.

The term slot can also refer to a particular time period, such as an hour or a day. In business, a slot-based approach to scheduling meetings, consultations and other work events can help improve productivity by encouraging team collaboration. It can also help ensure that everyone is aware of changes to important deadlines and schedules. Using this method can reduce stress and increase productivity.