mer ‧ i ‧ toc ‧ ra ‧ cy /ˌmerəˈtɒkrəsi, ˌmerɪˈtɒkrəsi $ -ˈtɑː-/ BrE AmE 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