The Order of Merit is part of the Jamaican honours system and is the third highest honour conferred by the nation of Jamaica. The Order of Merit is conferred upon Jamaicans or on distinguished citizen of another country who has achieved eminent international distinction in the field of science, arts, literature or any other endeavor. Members and Honorary Members of the Order are entitled to wear the insignia of the order as a decoration and to be styled as The Honourable. In addition, they can append the postnominal letters OM to their names, or OM(Hon) in the case of Honourary Members. The order's motto is "He that does the truth comes into the light."

The award can be held by no more than 15 living persons. There are only five living members of the Order–Professor Manley West and Dr Albert Lockhart (the developers of Canasol), the poet, dramatist and cultural activist Louise Bennett-Coverley, Professor Rex Nettleford, the intellectual, dancer and former vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies and Jimmy Cliff, singer and actor best known for his starring role in the 1970s film The Harder They Come. Bob Marley was also awarded the Order of Merit in 1981, shortly before his death.

Orders and decorations | Jamaican culture | Jamaican society