merit system
1
3.7
- noun
- /ˈmɛrɪt ˈsɪstəm/
- Formal
:
sistema de mérito
- The present results imply a merit system that ensures that large differences in pay raises correspond to performance differences that can support such an entrepreneurial approach.
- federal merit system
- believe in the merit system
Examples
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The school uses a totally antiquated merit system with so many checks resulting in punishment.
Fiction book (1999) -
The university implemented a merit system to promote faculty based on their research contributions and teaching effectiveness.
-
I believe in the merit system.
-
You see, I believe in the merit system.
Fiction book (2002) -
And the whole business about the universities and schools being put on a "merit system" should sound familiar.
Blog text (3) -
Eliminate the annual rating or merit system.
Academic text (1992) -
Perceptions of an adequate link between pay raises and performance are essential for merit systems to motivate employees.
Academic text (1995) -
The royal bureaucracy, instead of following a merit system, had become an aristocratic client system dominated by Lerma and his subalterns.
Academic text (1991) -
Unfortunately, researchers have found that employees in businesses using merit systems perceive only a moderate pay-for-performance relationship (Heneman, 1992).
Academic text (1995) -
Because of norm differences, the same merit system will be perceived by some as providing a strong pay-for-performance connection, whereas others will perceive the system as providing a moderate or even weak pay-for-performance connection.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
12
7.6
A society where people get jobs because of their skills and hard work, not money
Antonyms
How Meritocratic
12
7.6
- Formal
1
3.7
51
4.2
- Formal
4
3.5
- Formal
13
7.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a system based on merit' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'merit' (worthiness or deservedness) with 'system' (a formal set of rules or procedures), so a learner who knows both words can infer the concept. This is a regular noun+noun compositional pattern with clear cross-linguistic equivalents, making it immediately comprehensible to B1 learners.
Etymology
Merit system comes from the idea of testing a person's merit (their skill or worth) and then following an organized system of rules to pick people for jobs. Long ago, governments often chose friends or supporters, but they began using tests and rules to choose workers, so today a merit system means hiring or promoting people 'based on ability' not on connections.