Slot is a word that refers to an opening or position. It is used in sports, aviation, and many other contexts.

In ice hockey, for example, a slot is the area on the ice in front of the goaltender that extends toward the blue line. It derives from the Latin verb sleutana, which is cognate with the German Schloss, and is related to the English word “hole.”

The American Heritage Dictionary defines slot as an “opening or depression,” and it can also be used as a noun meaning “position.”

A slot in airplane design is an opening at the leading edge of an aircraft wing, which improves air flow. This is important in managing air traffic at busy airports and ensuring that multiple flights don’t repeatedly delay each other.

In Figma, slots are a component that you can add to any element within your design system. Slot components include a placeholder, resizing property, and additional description. Creating slot components is easy, and you can use them for a variety of purposes. Read on to learn more about slots, including how to create them and why they’re useful in your designs.