meritocracy Syllabification: (mer·i·toc·ra·cy)Pronunciation: /ˌmeriˈtäkrəsē/Definition of meritocracy noun (plural meritocracies) government or the holding of power by people selected on the basis of their ability. a society governed by meritocracy. a ruling or influential class of educated or skilled people. Derivatives meritocraticPronunciation: /ˌmeritəˈkratik/ adjective meritocracy in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of meritocracy in the British & World English dictionary