Definition
A slot in blockchain is a fixed, repeating time unit used by a network to organize when blocks can be proposed or validated. It acts as a scheduling container that assigns specific moments for designated participants to create or check blocks. Slots help structure block production and coordination within a blockchain’s overall timing framework.
In Simple Terms
A slot is a small slice of time on a blockchain’s clock. During each slice, the network knows who is allowed to create or check a block. By dividing time into these slots, the blockchain keeps its activity organized and avoids everyone trying to add blocks at the same moment.
Context and Usage
The term slot is common in blockchains that use time-based coordination, especially those with Proof of Stake designs. It appears in protocol specifications, validator documentation, and discussions of how blocks are scheduled within an epoch. Slots are often referenced when describing timing assumptions, block intervals, and how the network reaches finality through its consensus rules.