meritocratic

[ mer-i-tuh-krat-ik ]

adjective

1. based on ability and talent rather than class, privilege, or wealth:

   The prime minister has vowed to create a truly meritocratic country, where everyone will have a fair chance in life.

Word History and Origins

Origin of meritocratic¹

First recorded in 1955–60; meritocrat ( def ) + -ic ( def )

Example Sentences

The agility competition might be the rhythmic gymnastics of Westminster, derided as less than by traditionalists, but it’s a growing sport with meritocratic principles and an air of antic fun in its favor.

From Seattle Times

Ideally, judicial nominees would be considered on the basis of meritocratic principles, especially since they serve lifetime appointments, largely unaccountable and with no realistic fear of being ousted from office.

From Salon

Also, given that so many of them grew up on a highly structured, meritocratic hamster wheel, you could argue their college years are more childlike than their childhoods.

From Salon

With that seemingly equal starting point, many schools implicitly encourage the notion that students will then succeed or fail entirely as a function of their own effort and ability—a meritocratic ideal.

From Scientific American

Like a lot of technical leaders, he has a meritocratic view of culture that the best workers will rise to the top without the need for pro-active institutional intervention.

From Seattle Times