The term slot has been used in hockey to describe the rectangular area of the ice that extends toward the blue line. It is also used to describe the fourth position on a flying display. The term is related to the verb sleutana and is cognate with the German Schloss. This article explains the various ways that the word can be used.

Slot receivers are different from boundary receivers. Instead of going straight downfield, slot receivers take shorter routes, running inward. These players are becoming increasingly prominent in the NFL. They are particularly effective in the catch and run game. They also run slants and quick outs. They are also used in video games.

Slot receivers are more important in a spread offense than they were in the past. While they are still not a primary position in the offense, they are used in combinations with other positions to gain more yardage. The slot receiver typically lines up between the widest receiver and the offensive tackle. They are fast and are in prime position to catch the ball. In addition, a slot corner will cover them. This cornerback is typically smaller and quick.

The term slot also refers to a computer expansion slot. In a desktop computer, these slots accommodate a variety of hardware. These can include ISA, PCI, AGP, and memory cards. Almost all desktop computers come with a set of expansion slots, which ensures that they have the flexibility to add new hardware capabilities in the future.