Meritocracy
noun /ˌmɛr.ɪˈtɒk.rə.si/ — A system where advancement is based on talent and effort.
Definition
A social system in which power, advancement, and success are awarded according to talent, ability, and effort rather than inherited status or wealth. As ideal, it is widely appealing; in practice, critics argue that existing inequalities make true meritocracy impossible.
Beyond the definition
Meritocracy is both a promise and a myth — it promises that your work determines your position, while concealing the advantages that shape what 'work' is possible for different people.
Origin & history
Coined by sociologist Michael Young in his satirical novel 'The Rise of the Meritocracy' (1958) — intended as a warning. The word was adopted positively, losing its satirical edge.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Silicon Valley's founding mythology is deeply meritocratic — the garage startup, the idea beating money. The reality is more complex.
She had worked in a genuine meritocracy once — a small team where only the work mattered. She'd never found it again.
Meritocracy without equity is just a more sophisticated way of justifying existing advantage.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Meritocracy” when the meaning fits your context: A social system in which power, advancement, and success are awarded according to talent, ability, and effort rather than inherited status or wealth. As ideal, it is widely appealing; in practice, critics argue that existing inequalities make true meritocracy impossible.
Synonyms
ability-based system, talent-based hierarchy
Antonyms
Related words
Meritocracy vs technocracy
Meritocracy focuses on rewarding individuals based on general achievement and ability. Technocracy specifically designates power to those with technical, scientific, or expert qualifications.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Adult Arranging Pieces Into Order
An adult works at a table, methodically arranging complex, interlocking wooden pieces into a clear, ordered, and structured formation.
Meritocracy is a system where advancement is based on ability and effort. The methodical assembly of the structure reflects the ideal of building order and success through deliberate, capable action rather than inherited status.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Meritocracy" mean?
Meritocracy is noun meaning: A system where advancement is based on talent and effort.. A social system in which power, advancement, and success are awarded according to talent, ability, and effort rather than inherited status or wealth. As ideal, it is widely appealing; in practice, critics argue that existing inequalities make true meritocracy impossible.
Where does the word "Meritocracy" come from?
Coined by sociologist Michael Young in his satirical novel 'The Rise of the Meritocracy' (1958) — intended as a warning. The word was adopted positively, losing its satirical edge.