Slot is a narrow aperture or groove, as in a keyway in machinery or a slit for a coin in a vending machine. It also refers to a position in a schedule, program or other arrangement. For example, visitors can book a time slot a week or more in advance. To fit something into a slot is to put it in place, such as when you slot a filter into the machine. The same is true of a hole or opening, such as the space where you install a car seat belt.

In sports, the slot in hockey is the area directly in front of the goaltender and between the face-off circles in the offensive zone. Wingers and centers gain scoring opportunities there because they can shoot with a straight-on view of the net. The slot is also a common location for penalty shots.

A slot is also a term used in airport coordination to regulate the number of take-offs and landings at busy airports. This helps prevent excessive congestion and repeated delays caused when too many planes try to fly at the same time. In business, using slots to prioritize tasks and establish important deadlines can improve productivity by ensuring that teams are tracking progress toward project objectives. Providing clear, concise timelines for each step of a process also can help avoid confusion and improve communication between team members. A slot can also be a position in an organization, such as a role in a committee or board.