slot machine

noun

1

: a machine whose operation is begun by dropping a coin into a slot

2

: an originally coin-operated gambling machine that pays off according to the matching of symbols on wheels spun by a handle

also : an electronic version of this machine

Examples of slot machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It can be inserted into a slot machine or enable a person to get chips for a table game. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

The plaintiffs say that the social media sites' impact on children's brains is similar to that of a slot machine and that the companies should be held accountable. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026

There’s also Silent Trivia and silent dancing, both involving headphones, and a new addition at the ship’s casino is a non-smoking area with 68 slot machines. —Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

The slot machines have helped offset slow days at the restaurant. —Jermont Terry, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slot machine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

slot machine

noun

1

: a machine whose operation is begun when a coin is dropped into a slot

2

: a coin-operated gambling machine that pays off for the matching of symbols on wheels spun by a handle