The belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth

• Belief that rulers should be chosen based on skills rather than wealth
• A form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ But it was possible to turn the critique of meritocracy against the schools themselves. ▪ He was evidence that the trading floor was a meritocracy . ▪ However, in a meritocracy , those at the bottom are clearly inferior. ▪ In ...

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
Meritocracy ( merit , from Latin mereō "I earn" and -cracy , from Ancient Greek κράτος "strength, power") is a political philosophy holding that power should be vested in individuals almost exclusively based on ability and talent. Advancement in such a ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects the belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
coined 1958 by British sociologist Michael Young (1915-2002) and used in title of his book, "The Rise of the Meritocracy"; from merit (n.) + -cracy . Related: Meritocratic .\n\n[Young's book] imagined an elite that got its position not from ancestry, but ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
meritocracy \meritocracy\ n. A form of social system in which power goes to those with superior intellects. The belief that rulers should be chosen for their superior abilities and not because of their wealth or birth.

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 Rule by merit, and talent. 2 A type of society where wealth, income, and social status are assigned through competition.