order of merit
noun phraseUK /ˌɔːdər əv ˈmerɪt/
US /ˌɔːrdər əv ˈmerɪt/
A special award or title given to someone for doing something very good.
She received an order of merit for her years of helping sick children.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A ranking of people or things based on how good or successful they are.
The school lists students in order of merit after the exams.
3. A group of people honored by a country for great achievements.
He was made a member of the order of merit by the queen.
4. A system for deciding who gets something first by judging quality.
Scholarships were given in order of merit, not by age.