A slot is a narrow opening in a machine or container, such as a hole that you can put coins into. It can also refer to a position, time slot or a place.

In hockey, the slot is a part of the offensive zone that includes the area directly in front of the goaltender between the face-off circles. There are two different slots on the ice, the low slot and the high slot. The lower slot is closer to the goal, while the higher one is further away.

A slot can also be a position in the computer’s operating system, which holds a file or other data. It can also be the space reserved for a device connected to the computer, such as a printer or USB port.

The term slot can also refer to an airport runway time slot. These are used when an airport is constrained, and have been responsible for major savings in terms of flight delays and fuel burn.

Using time slots to organize work activities can benefit many types of teams and businesses. For example, a health care provider may use a slot-based method to arrange consultations with patients. This can help staff track important deadlines and improve their workflow. Moreover, it can promote open communication with managers and team members regarding availability and operations. Similarly, a technology company may use time slots to schedule meetings and set project objectives. They can then monitor progress and make updates as needed.