In hockey, the slot is a rectangular area on the ice that extends toward the blue line. Depending on the game, the slot can be used as a fourth-line position or a prime spot for a slap shot. In some games, the slot can also be used as a scoring opportunity. The word slot comes from the Latin root *sleutana, which means “to stretch” or “to stretch.” It is also cognate with German Schloss.

While the slot is commonly filled by a wide receiver, it can also be occupied by a running back, tight end, or a third-down back. A slot receiver is also known as a slotback and lines up close to the offensive line, but slightly behind the line of scrimmage. It is most commonly used in multiple-ball receiver formations.

A slot is a narrow opening that is usually designed to receive something. It can also be used to designate a place or a position in a series, or to designate an opening in a job. In aviation, it can also refer to an aerodynamic device, such as a plane wing.

Japanese slot machines have six levels and are programmed with an integrated circuit. The software is installed in a computer and cycles through thousands of numbers per second until it reaches the current position. Typically, the results correspond to the symbols on the reels. This makes slots “beatable” in many cases. In fact, slot machines were once highly regulated by state governments and gaming control boards.