Slot Meaning
/slɒt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA narrow depression, perforation, or aperture; especially, one for the reception of a piece fitting or sliding into it.
nounA period of time or position within a schedule or sequence.
Sentence Examples
Please give us a 20-30 min. time slot for our presentation.
I don't like to play on the slot machines.
He inserted a metal coin into the narrow slot of the machine.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She inserted the coin into the ____ on the vending machine to buy candy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please insert your coin into the ____ on the vending machine to purchase a cold drink.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English slot, from Old French esclot, likely from Old Norse slóð (“track”). As a gambling machine, via clipping of slot machine. Compare sleuth. The scheduling (calendar) sense is by a metaphor whereby the time span is equated with the segment of a page or part of a device that represents it.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Huntsman by his slot, or breaking earth, perceaves"
— 1612, Michael Drayton, Poly-Olbion, song 13 p. 216:
"Oh joy! the signs of life! the Deer
Hath left his slot beside the way;
The little Ermine now is seen
White wanderer of the snow; […]
And hark! the rosy-breasted bird,
The Throstle of sweet song!"
— 1801, Robert Southey, “(please specify the page)”, in Thalaba the Destroyer, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] [F]or T[homas] N[orton] Longman and O[wen] Rees, […], by Biggs and Cottle, […], →OCLC:
"One is from Hexamshire; he is wont to trace the Tynedale and Teviotdale thieves, as a bloodhound follows the slot of a hurt deer."
— 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:
"But by then Niënor had passed away like a wraith; and neither sight nor slot of her could they find, though they hunted far northward and searched for many days."
— 2007, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, page 212:
"By this time of winter the edge of the ice is rafted up in confused floes, and often reveals slots and fissures quite large enough to hold a young husky prisoner."
— 1963, John Mayston Béchervaise, Blizzard and Fire, page 111:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She inserted the coin into the ____ on the vending machine to buy candy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Please insert your coin into the ____ on the vending machine to purchase a cold drink.