slide

Slide is a term with several related but distinct meanings in everyday language and specialized fields. As a verb, it denotes a smooth, continuous movement along or past a surface. As a noun, it most commonly refers to an inclined plane or device that allows descent from a higher to a lower level, typically for recreation, safety, or transport.

Playground slides are curved or straight tracks made of metal or plastic, mounted on a frame with a ladder or steps. Children sit or lie on the sliding surface and descend by gravity. Materials, curvature, and tread patterns are designed to manage speed and reduce injury risk. Water slides use sprayed water to reduce friction and increase speed.

In geology, a landslide or mudslide describes the rapid downslope movement of rock, earth, or debris. Slopes destabilized by rainfall, earthquakes, or volcanic activity can trigger such events, which may threaten infrastructure and require monitoring.

In photography and film, a slide is a transparent image mounted in a frame for projection with a slide projector. Traditionally, 35 mm slides were common, though digital slides and image files have become standard. The term remains in use in phrases like slide deck or slide show.

In digital media and presentations, a slide is a single page or screen in a presentation or slide deck, containing text, images, and multimedia. Slides are organized to form a coherent narrative and are navigated during a live or recorded presentation.

Other uses include musical techniques such as a slide (glissando), a smooth pitch transition produced by sliding a finger or a dedicated instrument. The word also appears in terms like slide rule, slide-door, and various user interface gestures, depending on context.