Definition
Narrow spanwise openings near the leading edge of a wing that allow air from beneath the wing to flow up and over the top surface at high angles of attack, energizing the boundary layer and delaying the stall.
Plain English
Small gaps built into the front of the wing that let air sneak through to the top, helping the wing keep flying smoothly when the nose is high and the wing is close to stalling.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of outer wing surfaces, high-lift design, slow flight, and stall behavior.
Derivation
From Old English 'slot,' meaning a narrow opening or slit. The aviation use is literal: a slit cut through the wing.
Why Pilots Care
Slots allow an aircraft to maintain lift and control at higher angles of attack and lower speeds, reducing the risk of sudden stall during takeoff, approach, and landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read slots as just any random gaps or holes in the wing. In this context, slots are deliberately shaped openings that help manage airflow over the wing.
Example Sentence 1
The airplane's fixed leading-edge slots allowed it to maintain aileron control well into the stall.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight, the pilot confirmed that the wing slots were free of debris so they could function correctly in slow flight.