spot

Spot is a term with multiple meanings across language, geography, economics, technology, and culture. Etymologically, it comes from Old English, where spot described a blot or patch, and the word has since broadened to cover various uses. As a general concept, a spot can refer to a small mark on a surface, a blemish on the skin, a decorative pattern such as animal spots, or a location or place on a map.

Common uses include both noun and verb forms. As a noun, a spot is a small round mark, a stain, or a particular place (for example a spot on a map or a filming location). As a verb, to spot means to notice or identify something, or to distinguish a target or detail.

In finance and commerce, the term spot refers to immediate settlement. The spot price is the current market price for immediate delivery of an asset, such as a commodity or currency, as opposed to futures contracts. Spot markets facilitate quick, cash-based transactions for near-term delivery.

In technology and industry, spot appears in several contexts. Spot instances are a form of pay-as-you-go cloud computing capacity offered at reduced prices for immediate use. The name Spot is also associated with notable products and characters, including Boston Dynamics’ Spot, a four-legged robotics platform used in research and industry, and Spot, the titular puppy in the Spot children’s book series by Eric Hill.