/ ˌmerɪˈtɒkrəsi; NAmE -ˈtɑːk-/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C , U ] a country or social system where people get power or money on the basis of their ability
2.
the meritocracy [ sing. ] the group of people with power in this kind of social system
► mer·ito·crat·ic / ˌmerɪtəˈkrætɪk; NAmE / adjective