slot

UK: /ˈslɒt/ US: /slɑt/ ,(slot)

Inflections of 'slot' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

slots

v 3rd person singular

slotting

v pres p

slotted

v past

slotted

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

slot¹ /slɑt/   n., v., slot•ted, slot•ting. 
n. [countable]

1. a slit, esp. one for receiving something, such as a letter:
   a slot for airmail letters.
2. a position, as in a sequence or series:
   Her TV show is in the eight o'clock slot on Thursdays.
3. [Informal.] slot machine

v. [~ + object]

4. to make a slot in;
   provide with a slot or slots.
5. to place or fit into a slot:
   You've been slotted for a four o'clock meeting.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

slot¹  (slot), n., v., slot•ted, slot•ting. 
n. 

1. a narrow, elongated depression, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, esp. a narrow opening for receiving or admitting something, as a coin or a letter.
2. a place or position, as in a sequence or series:
   The program received a new time slot on the broadcasting schedule.
3. Linguistics (esp. in tagmemics) a position having a specific grammatical function within a construction into which any one of a set of morphemes or morpheme sequences can be fit. Cf. filler (def. 9).
4. an assignment or job opening;
   position:
   I applied for the slot in management training.
5. [Journalism.]
   • Journalism the interior opening in a copy desk, occupied by the chief copy editor.
   • Journalism the job or position of chief copy editor:
     He had the slot at the
     Gazette for 20 years. Cf. rim (def. 7).
6. Aeronautics an allocated, scheduled time and place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority:
   40 more slots for the new airline at U.S. airports.
7. Informal Terms See slot machine (def. 1).
8. Aeronautics See under slat ¹ (def. 2).
9. Birds [Ornith.] a narrow notch or other similar opening between the tips of the primaries of certain birds, which during flight helps to maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings.
10. Sport [Ice Hockey.] an unmarked area near the front of an opponent's goal that affords a vantage for an attacking player.
11. Computing See expansion slot. .

v.t. 

12. to provide with a slot or slots;
    make a slot in.
13. to place or fit into a slot:
    We've slotted his appointment for four o'clock.

v.i. 

14. to fit or be placed in a slot.

• ?
• Middle French esclot
• Middle English: the hollow of the breastbone 1300–50

slot²  (slot), n. 

1. the track or trail of a deer or other animal, as shown by the marks of the feet.
2. a track, trace, or trail of something.

• Old Norse slōth track, trail; see sleuthhound
• Anglo-French, Middle French esclot the hoofprint of a horse, probably
• 1565–75

slot,¹ +n. 

1. Computing See expansion slot. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

slot / slɒt/ noun

1. an elongated aperture or groove, such as one in a vending machine for inserting a coin
2. a place in a series or scheme

verb (slots, slotting, slotted)

1. (transitive) to furnish with a slot or slots
2. usually followed by in or into: to fit or adjust in a slot
3. to situate or be situated in a series or scheme

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French esclot the depression of the breastbone, of unknown origin

ˈslotter noun

slot / slɒt/ noun

1. the trail of an animal, esp a deer

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French esclot horse's hoof-print, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse sloth track; see sleuth