Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Ritual /rĭch'-o͞o-əl/ · Rit·u·al · IPA /ˈɹɪt͡ʃ.u.əl/ a. n. 01 a. Of or pertaining to rites or ritual; as, ritual service or sacrifices; the ritual law. 1. Of or pertaining to rites or ritual; as, ritual service or sacrifices; the ritual law. 02 n. A prescribed form of performing divine service in a particular church or communion; as, the Jewish ritual. 1. A prescribed form of performing divine service in a particular church or communion; as, the Jewish ritual. 2. Hence, the code of ceremonies observed by an organization; as, the ritual of the freemasons. 3. A book containing the rites to be observed.