The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of a ribonucleotide, a compound consisting of ribonucleoside (a base linked to a ribose sugar) esterified with a phosphate group at either the 3' or 5'-hydroxyl group of the sugar. [ GOC:go_curators https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0198506732 ]
Synonyms: ribonucleotide degradation ribonucleotide breakdown ribonucleotide catabolism