A narrow notch, groove or opening such as a keyway in machinery or a slit for coins in a vending machine. A position in a group, series or sequence of events or activity: The plane was supposed to slot into the airport’s gate at 12:30 but it’s now 3 p.m. and we’re still waiting for a slot.

Using time slots to establish important deadlines can help you stay organized and support consistency in your workflow. For example, scheduling meetings according to specific time periods can make it easier for you and your team to collaborate effectively, while also ensuring that all parties are aware of upcoming events, meeting times or project milestones.

When playing a slot machine, sounds that accompany winning combinations may increase arousal and reinforce gambling behaviour by increasing the perceived likelihood of future wins. In one study, players who played the game with sound on overestimated how many times they had won compared to those who played in silence.

In electromechanical slot machines, a “tilt” was an electrical fault that could cause the machine to shut down or display a message. In modern electronic machines, a “tilt” is any sort of technical problem that may affect the operation of a machine, including: a door switch in the wrong position, reel motor malfunction or the presence of an unreadable barcode on a ticket. If you’re not sure if your machine is in tilt, consult the operator or read the manual.