Definition of "merit" []

• Superior quality or worth; excellence: a proposal of some merit; an ill-advised plan without merit. (noun)
• A quality deserving praise or approval; virtue: a store having the merit of being open late. (noun)
• Demonstrated ability or achievement: promotions based on merit alone. (noun)
• An aspect of character or behavior deserving approval or disapproval. Often used in the plural: judging people according to their merits. (noun)
• Christianity Spiritual credit granted for good works. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The term merit is often applied to Christ's passive obedience as well as to his active."
• "Pope Gregory XVI (1832) instituted two medals which he called merit-medals to reward civil and military daring and courage."
• "The association represents what it calls merit-shop contractors, which include both union and non-union businesses."