mer‧i‧toc‧ra‧cy /ˌmerəˈtɒkrəsi, ˌmerɪˈtɒkrəsi $ -ˈtɑː-/ noun (plural meritocracies)

1. [countable] a social system that gives the greatest power and highest social positions to people with the most ability

2. the meritocracy the people who have power in a meritocracy ⇒ aristocracy
—meritocratic /ˌmerətəˈkrætɪk◂, ˌmerɪtəˈkrætɪk◂/ adjective

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲