Definition
An attestation slot is a discrete time interval in a proof-of-stake blockchain during which a designated set of validators is scheduled to produce and broadcast attestations about the state of the chain. It functions as the temporal unit that organizes when validators are expected to vote on blocks, contributing to the protocol’s consensus and progression toward finality within an epoch.
In Simple Terms
An attestation slot is a specific moment in the blockchain’s timeline when certain validators are assigned to confirm and report on the latest block. It is a time box that tells which validators should speak up and when, so the network can keep track of agreement about the chain’s current state.
Context and Usage
The term attestation slot appears mainly in proof-of-stake consensus specifications and validator documentation, where the timing and coordination of validator duties are defined. It is used to describe how validator responsibilities are distributed across the chain’s timeline, how attestations are grouped within an epoch, and how these time-based units feed into the protocol’s rules for reaching and recognizing finality.