- rule by persons chosen not because of birth or wealth, but for their superior talents or intellect
- the persons constituting such a group
- a social system formed on such a basis
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
mer•i•toc•ra•cy /ˌmɛrɪˈtɑkrəsi/USA pronunciation n., pl. -cies.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- a system in which talented persons are rewarded and advanced: [uncountable]The concept of meritocracy was foreign to our company.[countable]Meritocracies exist in some companies.
mer•i•toc•ra•cy
(mer′i tok′rə sē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -cies.
mer•i•to•crat•ic
(mer′i tə krat′ik),USA pronunciation adj.
- Sociologyan elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.
- Sociologya system in which such persons are rewarded and advanced:The dean believes the educational system should be a meritocracy.
- Sociologyleadership by able and talented persons.
- 1955–60; merit + -o- + -cracy
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
meritocracy /ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsɪ/ n ( pl -cies)
'meritocracy' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):