meritocracy

American  

[mer-i-tok-ruh-see] / ˌmɛr ɪˈtɒk rə si /

noun

• meritocracies
  plural

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.

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meritocracy British  

/ 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

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meritocracy Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• meritocrat
  noun
• meritocratic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• meritocracies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of meritocracy

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

Explanation

Meritocracy is the belief — or a social system founded on that belief — that rulers should be chosen for their abilities rather than for their wealth or family tree. Meritocracy, coined in 1958 by Michael Young, is a combination of merit ("goodness worthy of praise or reward") and aristocracy, meaning "the highest class in certain societies." In a government based on meritocracy, the leaders are chosen because they are the smartest and have best judgment. They can come from the poorest, most humble background just as long as they are the most noble and fit to rule.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

meritocracy meritocracies

If Westeros were a meritocracy, she would be queen, or at least be given Highgarden, where she could marry a Tyrell and give birth to Diana Rigg, whose Olenna Tyrell she so much resembles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

He added: "As more details emerge, it is encouraging to see the PGA Tour reaffirming the importance of meritocracy and creating a structure that will serve both players and fans well."

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

From this combination a meritocracy emerged, supplanting aristocracies in lands where feudalism had been weakened by progress.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

To maintain a meritocracy, a business must hold on to key employees, says Pullman & Comley, a law firm based in Connecticut.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 10, 2026

Parents with money, education, and connections cultivate in their children the habits that the meritocracy rewards.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Tech leaders still largely believe their companies are meritocracies in which hard work is rewarded with generous salaries and stock options.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 2, 2022

In democratic meritocracies, all members of society perceive themselves as having equal opportunity, which means that access to education and, consequently, jobs is theoretically based on inherent intelligence, talent, and skill.

From Slate ● Mar. 1, 2019

So if we are in favour of meritocracies, we should also be in favour of anything that helps us measure merit more accurately.

From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2014

Most of this is self-organizing; more effort can sometimes overcome a lack of talent or skill, but overall these are natural meritocracies.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2013

Here was a world that was the purest of meritocracies.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell