A thin opening, groove or channel, often for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Also: a slit, hole, or other narrow opening for egress or entrance; a passage through which one passes; a position, room, or berth in an airplane, ship, etc.; a time or place for an aircraft to take off or land, as assigned by the air-traffic control authority: We scheduled a three-hour slot at the local airport.
In football, a wide receiver who is good at running short routes on the route tree, such as slants or quick outs. Slot receivers are often used to stretch defenses vertically and can create match-up problems for opposing defensive backs.
A time or space for an aircraft to take off or land, especially as authorized by the air-traffic control authority: 40 more slots for the new airline at U.S. airports. Also: a position, room, or berth for an employee, especially in a business, office, or ship; a quota of work available to an employee or passenger. The term is also used to refer to the position or job of chief copy editor: She had a great slot at the Gazette. See also slit1 and slot2.
