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meritocracy


Definition of meritocracy

noun (plural meritocracies)

[mass noun]
  • government or the holding of power by people selected according to merit: progress towards meritocracy was slow
  • [count noun] a society governed by people selected according to merit: Britain is a meritocracy, and everyone with skill and imagination may aspire to reach the highest level
  • [count noun] a ruling or influential class of educated or able people: the relentless advance of the meritocracy

Derivatives

meritocrat

noun

meritocratic

Pronunciation: /-təˈkratɪk/

adjective

meritocracy in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of meritocracy in the US English dictionary