graveyard slot: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, journalistic, media industry jargon
Quick answer
What does “graveyard slot” mean?
a broadcast time period with very few viewers/listeners, typically late night or very early morning.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a broadcast time period with very few viewers/listeners, typically late night or very early morning.
any unpopular, inconvenient, or poorly attended time period for events, meetings, or activities; metaphorically, a position or role with little attention or opportunity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used in both varieties, but more institutionalized in UK broadcasting terminology.
Connotations
Identical connotations of undesirability and low audience.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to established broadcasting lexicon.
Grammar
How to Use “graveyard slot” in a Sentence
to have the graveyard slotto be assigned/stuck with the graveyard slotVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “graveyard slot” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The show had a graveyard-slot feeling about it.
American English
- He was stuck with a graveyard-slot assignment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe an unattractive meeting time.
Academic
Very rare. Might appear in media studies.
Everyday
Understood, but used mostly by people discussing TV/radio schedules.
Technical
Standard term in broadcasting and media planning industries.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “graveyard slot”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “graveyard slot”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “graveyard slot”
- Using it for a literal cemetery plot (extremely rare).
- Confusing with 'graveyard shift' (which is about work hours, not broadcasting).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Graveyard shift' refers to a late-night/early-morning work period (e.g., in a factory or hospital). 'Graveyard slot' is specific to broadcasting and media scheduling.
Yes, metaphorically. It can describe any scheduled event at an unpopular time, e.g., 'Our conference session was given the graveyard slot on the last day.'
Typically after midnight until about 5 or 6 AM, when the audience is smallest. The exact time can vary by country and broadcaster.
It is informal, industry-specific jargon. It is standard within media circles but would not typically be used in highly formal documents.
a broadcast time period with very few viewers/listeners, typically late night or very early morning.
Graveyard slot: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪv.jɑːd slɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡreɪv.jɑːrd slɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TV playing in an empty graveyard at 3 AM – no one is watching. That's the 'graveyard slot'.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (a slot); UNPOPULAR/DEAD TIME IS A GRAVEYARD.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'graveyard slot'?