meritocracy

[ mer-i-tok-ruh-see ]

noun

, plural mer·i·toc·ra·cies.

1. an elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class, privilege, or wealth.
2. a system in which such persons are rewarded and advanced:

   The dean believes the educational system should be a meritocracy.

3. leadership by able and talented persons.

meritocracy

/ ˌmɛrɪtəˈkrætɪk; ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. rule by persons chosen not because of birth or wealth, but for their superior talents or intellect
2. the persons constituting such a group
3. a social system formed on such a basis

meritocracy

1. A government or society in which citizens who display superior achievement are rewarded with positions of leadership. In a meritocracy, all citizens have the opportunity to be recognized and advanced in proportion to their abilities and accomplishments. The ideal of meritocracy has become controversial because of its association with the use of tests of intellectual ability, such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test , to regulate admissions to elite colleges and universities. Many contend that an individual's performance on these tests reflects his or her social class and family environment more than ability.

Derived Forms

• ˈmeritoˌcrat, noun
• meritocratic, adjective

Other Words From

• mer·i·to·crat·ic [mer-i-t, uh, -, krat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meritocracy¹

First recorded in 1955–60; merit + -o- + -cracy

Example Sentences

They claim DEI promotes “unqualified” Black professionals and other people of color, while advocating for a so-called “color blind” meritocracy.

From Salon

In his statement announcing Hegseth as his Defense secretary pick, the president-elect said the book “reveals the leftwing betrayal of our Warriors, and how we must return out Military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Conservative peer Brady said planned "extreme redistribution" would "replace our brilliant but brutal meritocracy with the likelihood of a closed shop where survival not aspiration becomes a ceiling".

From BBC

He said the book The War on Warrior "reveals the leftwing betrayal of our warriors, and how we must return our military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence".

From BBC

“Great British Baking Show” isn’t a democracy — Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood are the only people who get to vote — but it’s a true meritocracy.

From Los Angeles Times