Meritocracy definition

mĕrĭ-tŏkrə-sē
meritocracies
See word origin
Frequency:
A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement.
noun
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An intellectual elite, based on academic achievement.
noun
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A system in which such an elite achieves special status, as in positions of leadership.
noun
2
1
A group of leaders or officeholders selected on the basis of individual ability or achievement.
noun
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0
Leadership by such a group.
noun
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Rule by merit, and talent. By extension, now often used to describe a type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.
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Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
meritocracy
Plural:
meritocracies

Origin of meritocracy

  • merit, from Latin mereō (“earn") + -cracy, from Ancient Greek κράτος (kratos, “strength, power").

    From Wiktionary

  • Coined in 1958 by Michael Young, in his book Rise of the Meritocracy.

    From Wiktionary