<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstate" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#RealEstate" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#RealEstateDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_25F1B68D2DA48240A7934F55D45325F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_F604F7D9B2121D429A074F55D452DD0C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_25F1B68D2DA48240A7934F55D45325F6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_F604F7D9B2121D429A074F55D452DD0C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1F1918585092E3A878574F55D452B906" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestByLegalEntityTable_F604F7D9B2121D429A074F55D452DD0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1F1918585092E3A878574F55D452B906" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_4A6D981CDE219451E4424F55D452A907_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1F1918585092E3A878574F55D452B906" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_4A6D981CDE219451E4424F55D452A907_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_4A6D981CDE219451E4424F55D452A907" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1F1918585092E3A878574F55D452B906" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_4A6D981CDE219451E4424F55D452A907" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_GalaxyHollywoodMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_GalaxyHollywoodMember_3CE8C00F8EF6FEB0F4674F55D452C090" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_4A6D981CDE219451E4424F55D452A907" xlink:to="loc_frt_GalaxyHollywoodMember_3CE8C00F8EF6FEB0F4674F55D452C090" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_Percentageofnoncontrollinginterestacquired" xlink:label="loc_frt_Percentageofnoncontrollinginterestacquired_274756ED5B877DA7BC574F55D4531ED6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_25F1B68D2DA48240A7934F55D45325F6" xlink:to="loc_frt_Percentageofnoncontrollinginterestacquired_274756ED5B877DA7BC574F55D4531ED6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_885FA08E910FAAD4E4F64F55D45336FD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_25F1B68D2DA48240A7934F55D45325F6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_885FA08E910FAAD4E4F64F55D45336FD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_Ownershipinterest" xlink:label="loc_frt_Ownershipinterest_448B4F5CF2E5C45A86BF4F55D453329C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestLineItems_25F1B68D2DA48240A7934F55D45325F6" xlink:to="loc_frt_Ownershipinterest_448B4F5CF2E5C45A86BF4F55D453329C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_MinimumRentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_6F29B5CC66F9D1461C1E4F55D4C9A5E1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_600EEB363F7D6A2DA82B4F55D4C8250A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_6F29B5CC66F9D1461C1E4F55D4C9A5E1" xlink:to="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_600EEB363F7D6A2DA82B4F55D4C8250A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_6924368134CB14EBEE884F55D4C8388B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_600EEB363F7D6A2DA82B4F55D4C8250A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_6924368134CB14EBEE884F55D4C8388B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_6924368134CB14EBEE884F55D4C8388B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_6924368134CB14EBEE884F55D4C8388B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_D3796319C4C13B6104ED4F55D4C94770" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_D3796319C4C13B6104ED4F55D4C94770" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember_A406986428382F2F851E4F55D4C99C4B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9" xlink:to="loc_frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember_A406986428382F2F851E4F55D4C99C4B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StraightLineRent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_2DA1824D3BEF274591374F55D4C9FF95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_6F29B5CC66F9D1461C1E4F55D4C9A5E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_2DA1824D3BEF274591374F55D4C9FF95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_A9FB826B5823EAA8FEFC4F55D4C95919" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_6F29B5CC66F9D1461C1E4F55D4C9A5E1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_A9FB826B5823EAA8FEFC4F55D4C95919" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_D218095A2E7394657AE955DE63C80DD2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_D218095A2E7394657AE955DE63C80DD2" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_5CE550F1A233FA8BBDE555DE63C9FF25" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_D218095A2E7394657AE955DE63C80DD2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_5CE550F1A233FA8BBDE555DE63C9FF25" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_5CE550F1A233FA8BBDE555DE63C9FF25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_5CE550F1A233FA8BBDE555DE63C9FF25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember_8AAE1B169DC0AFAEB48A55DE63C90517" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember_8AAE1B169DC0AFAEB48A55DE63C90517" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember_58D925DBD8D12204171455DE63C96CDE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_1A15EB62778FA99DD2BF55DE63C91A7B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember_58D925DBD8D12204171455DE63C96CDE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue_29798FC262486D23766355DE63C989DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue_29798FC262486D23766355DE63C989DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TenantReimbursements" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TenantReimbursements_F447F8066B94DB8E6BAC55DE63C9441C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TenantReimbursements_F447F8066B94DB8E6BAC55DE63C9441C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PercentageRent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PercentageRent_505DA012A0E17498C40455DE63C9DC0B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PercentageRent_505DA012A0E17498C40455DE63C9DC0B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_OtherRentalIncome" xlink:label="loc_frt_OtherRentalIncome_EF937C2706BF143AA59E55DE63C95BE4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_frt_OtherRentalIncome_EF937C2706BF143AA59E55DE63C95BE4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue_8A9EA0EBD5CCCE4BF4A155DF23981120" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_E947DAD211AED0D2C5DF55DE63C911D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue_8A9EA0EBD5CCCE4BF4A155DF23981120" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_F10EFD914C93C1D6AF974C5CBFA49930" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_48FC07CCA029624F43474C5CBFA32572" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_F10EFD914C93C1D6AF974C5CBFA49930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_48FC07CCA029624F43474C5CBFA32572" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_24CF1B80D5CB4F0065C94C5CBFA385C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_48FC07CCA029624F43474C5CBFA32572" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_24CF1B80D5CB4F0065C94C5CBFA385C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_24CF1B80D5CB4F0065C94C5CBFA385C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_24CF1B80D5CB4F0065C94C5CBFA385C3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_B0BD814349BE0D2891CF4C5CBFA3CC11" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_B0BD814349BE0D2891CF4C5CBFA3CC11" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_957AF5327266ABECE4434C5CBFA3D601" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_957AF5327266ABECE4434C5CBFA3D601" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_D408CA0A721EC118FEB64C5CBFA33E59" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_D408CA0A721EC118FEB64C5CBFA33E59" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_A2BDFAF8635671CD6EB94C5CBFA4FD06" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_A2BDFAF8635671CD6EB94C5CBFA4FD06" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_DCF707D8423AD359FE254C5CBFA44CC0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_DCF707D8423AD359FE254C5CBFA44CC0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_E16AD225644D23BBD9EC4C5CBFA4E66D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9E399A1CEC9ADA9B3B654C5CBFA3C5A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_E16AD225644D23BBD9EC4C5CBFA4E66D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_F10EFD914C93C1D6AF974C5CBFA49930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_691FF1BB4D0B4A2EE1C14C5CBFA4AE12" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_691FF1BB4D0B4A2EE1C14C5CBFA4AE12" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_0C108C65C85D3DB17D034C5CBFA46A56" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_0C108C65C85D3DB17D034C5CBFA46A56" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests" xlink:label="loc_frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_DE356109483EE561D3C14C5CBFA4ED87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_DE356109483EE561D3C14C5CBFA4ED87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01863507199DF93051464C5CBFA4B225" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01863507199DF93051464C5CBFA4B225" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_2696C4D99B22DB1EB6104C5CBFA4EC74" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_2696C4D99B22DB1EB6104C5CBFA4EC74" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_40BAF2A20CE9F285CFE34C5CBFA4AE13" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_40BAF2A20CE9F285CFE34C5CBFA4AE13" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_C52CAB429BC258E6FB2B4C5CBFA46606" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_C52CAB429BC258E6FB2B4C5CBFA46606" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_CDE0D5AEEEB64C4043284C5CBFA4ACD9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_CDE0D5AEEEB64C4043284C5CBFA4ACD9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_154A49654AFE150C1E7E4C5CBFA45A9B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_154A49654AFE150C1E7E4C5CBFA45A9B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_24627AD8826584B888B04C5CBFA4A4E5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_24627AD8826584B888B04C5CBFA4A4E5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_F58E08D062AC156CB9614C5CBFA47E61" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_F58E08D062AC156CB9614C5CBFA47E61" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan_65D9A643843830EEB6754C5CBFA56884" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan_65D9A643843830EEB6754C5CBFA56884" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan_4CA7058865FF78759BA54C5CBFA5828D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan_4CA7058865FF78759BA54C5CBFA5828D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares" xlink:label="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares_677B93C5C589F871E3414C5CBFA52316" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares_677B93C5C589F871E3414C5CBFA52316" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue" xlink:label="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue_40C85E7CAA83B1DD93754C5CBFA5E222" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue_40C85E7CAA83B1DD93754C5CBFA5E222" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_78D3E926BF94FA0AAFE14C5CBFA5E64D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_78D3E926BF94FA0AAFE14C5CBFA5E64D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_Shareswithheldforemployeetaxesnetvalue" xlink:label="loc_frt_Shareswithheldforemployeetaxesnetvalue_5594F98A00B05C3E71364C5CBFA51ACB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_Shareswithheldforemployeetaxesnetvalue_5594F98A00B05C3E71364C5CBFA51ACB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares" xlink:label="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares_F81DBBE6529245CF53CB4C5CBFA527DF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares_F81DBBE6529245CF53CB4C5CBFA527DF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits" xlink:label="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits_4D304AFB7D42292160F44C5CBFA5C1AC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="19" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits_4D304AFB7D42292160F44C5CBFA5C1AC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_224C6CE53BF07A367C8B4C5CBFA590B5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="20" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_224C6CE53BF07A367C8B4C5CBFA590B5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_5EF9283CB1FA95D098FE4C5CBFA5C5A4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="21" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_F10103976806F6BD73A84C5CBFA4C40A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_5EF9283CB1FA95D098FE4C5CBFA5C5A4" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5149EA025CC287BB72CD4D08703C3956" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5149EA025CC287BB72CD4D08703C3956" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5AECA78844D461DEAA784D2B5BB5D26F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5149EA025CC287BB72CD4D08703C3956" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5AECA78844D461DEAA784D2B5BB5D26F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6D727FAA41DB0705AA8F4D2B5BB8F9CA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5AECA78844D461DEAA784D2B5BB5D26F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6D727FAA41DB0705AA8F4D2B5BB8F9CA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6D727FAA41DB0705AA8F4D2B5BB8F9CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_5AECA78844D461DEAA784D2B5BB5D26F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6D727FAA41DB0705AA8F4D2B5BB8F9CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_9BA5F05728905647A7914D2C0D016B1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6D727FAA41DB0705AA8F4D2B5BB8F9CA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_9BA5F05728905647A7914D2C0D016B1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_E48E55E0720E92473A564D08703D595B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5149EA025CC287BB72CD4D08703C3956" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_E48E55E0720E92473A564D08703D595B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_704FCAE550F8C831B47B4D08703DBE8A_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_E48E55E0720E92473A564D08703D595B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_704FCAE550F8C831B47B4D08703DBE8A_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_704FCAE550F8C831B47B4D08703DBE8A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_E48E55E0720E92473A564D08703D595B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_704FCAE550F8C831B47B4D08703DBE8A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_6CF59982134C23CC74054D08703D4960" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_704FCAE550F8C831B47B4D08703DBE8A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_6CF59982134C23CC74054D08703D4960" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_62BFC9BE532275C7FDD04D08703D3496" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5149EA025CC287BB72CD4D08703C3956" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_62BFC9BE532275C7FDD04D08703D3496" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33DBA37E124D476247D94D08703D8C57_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_62BFC9BE532275C7FDD04D08703D3496" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33DBA37E124D476247D94D08703D8C57_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33DBA37E124D476247D94D08703D8C57" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_62BFC9BE532275C7FDD04D08703D3496" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33DBA37E124D476247D94D08703D8C57" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ClarionMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_ClarionMember_989E848339D34858381F4D08703DF9AE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33DBA37E124D476247D94D08703D8C57" xlink:to="loc_frt_ClarionMember_989E848339D34858381F4D08703DF9AE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_417B498C40A9AA0AD1884D08703DEC1F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_417B498C40A9AA0AD1884D08703DEC1F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1_CB10178669042DDADD684D08703D774C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1_CB10178669042DDADD684D08703D774C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_30F6CD048D01B3F2CA764D08703D7BAA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_30F6CD048D01B3F2CA764D08703D7BAA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_3C968690A097A9E36FE04D08703D0CCB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_3C968690A097A9E36FE04D08703D0CCB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_F74B1C9920F9D509ACE54D08703DD48E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_F74B1C9920F9D509ACE54D08703DD48E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2CF718426A50EF46FA084D08703D37CB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2CF718426A50EF46FA084D08703D37CB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_Lineofcreditfacilityoptiontoincreaseamount" xlink:label="loc_frt_Lineofcreditfacilityoptiontoincreaseamount_C70584429EDB95742A634D08703D1712" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_frt_Lineofcreditfacilityoptiontoincreaseamount_C70584429EDB95742A634D08703D1712" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod_FE346EC42C93EC1D71384D08703DA218" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod_FE346EC42C93EC1D71384D08703DA218" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees" xlink:label="loc_frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees_CBC98C3811ECF528C71E4D08703D12FD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees_CBC98C3811ECF528C71E4D08703D12FD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAverageOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAverageOutstandingAmount_FCBC6221FFC8690387B04D08703E3887" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAverageOutstandingAmount_FCBC6221FFC8690387B04D08703E3887" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_4AC3FAAD8E4A8C0C45244D08703E2B17" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_A323E2B6D07C35857CD14D08703DD2B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_4AC3FAAD8E4A8C0C45244D08703E2B17" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_5B6C2532BBA3FB22A08C5076FB8ACAE3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_5953DF20B91F821FF6735076FB8A0A84" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_5B6C2532BBA3FB22A08C5076FB8ACAE3" xlink:to="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_5953DF20B91F821FF6735076FB8A0A84" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_BCB4DB4ED4F16A967E6B5076FB8A77A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_5953DF20B91F821FF6735076FB8A0A84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_BCB4DB4ED4F16A967E6B5076FB8A77A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7D0258AAADA386618D405076FB8ACA47_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_BCB4DB4ED4F16A967E6B5076FB8A77A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7D0258AAADA386618D405076FB8ACA47_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7D0258AAADA386618D405076FB8ACA47" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_BCB4DB4ED4F16A967E6B5076FB8A77A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7D0258AAADA386618D405076FB8ACA47" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_ABE3DDD8C775D0C4BD9A5076FB8A9F5F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_7D0258AAADA386618D405076FB8ACA47" xlink:to="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_ABE3DDD8C775D0C4BD9A5076FB8A9F5F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToParticipatingNonvestedSharesWithNonForfeitableDividendRights" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToParticipatingNonvestedSharesWithNonForfeitableDividendRights_BDEDE3A6087DE1D4B96E5076FB8A2B33" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_5B6C2532BBA3FB22A08C5076FB8ACAE3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToParticipatingNonvestedSharesWithNonForfeitableDividendRights_BDEDE3A6087DE1D4B96E5076FB8A2B33" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_2D1990FBD4042EED97055076FB8AB6B2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_5B6C2532BBA3FB22A08C5076FB8ACAE3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_2D1990FBD4042EED97055076FB8AB6B2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_DDFDA14D5F0B7DACCAFE5076FB8A2CEA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_5B6C2532BBA3FB22A08C5076FB8ACAE3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_DDFDA14D5F0B7DACCAFE5076FB8A2CEA" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_CD70FAE31436D843723708B6DA4918B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4DF0A9D56A85C783998508B6DA49F179" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_CD70FAE31436D843723708B6DA4918B3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4DF0A9D56A85C783998508B6DA49F179" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_E482614EBDCAABCCD7BD08B6DA4909F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4DF0A9D56A85C783998508B6DA49F179" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_E482614EBDCAABCCD7BD08B6DA4909F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_71B66730F460015DFC4C08B6DA491E32_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_E482614EBDCAABCCD7BD08B6DA4909F3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_71B66730F460015DFC4C08B6DA491E32_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_71B66730F460015DFC4C08B6DA491E32" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_E482614EBDCAABCCD7BD08B6DA4909F3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_71B66730F460015DFC4C08B6DA491E32" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4F1090FF8103F5D4448708B6DA49CE40" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4DF0A9D56A85C783998508B6DA49F179" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4F1090FF8103F5D4448708B6DA49CE40" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_838EC07B02EEA5CE7E2E08B6DA497B5B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4F1090FF8103F5D4448708B6DA49CE40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_838EC07B02EEA5CE7E2E08B6DA497B5B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_838EC07B02EEA5CE7E2E08B6DA497B5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_4F1090FF8103F5D4448708B6DA49CE40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_838EC07B02EEA5CE7E2E08B6DA497B5B" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_C65193C6FD1694221EE85072BF550915" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_C65193C6FD1694221EE85072BF550915" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_BD1DDF822071FFE3A6585072BF554371_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_C65193C6FD1694221EE85072BF550915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_BD1DDF822071FFE3A6585072BF554371_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_BD1DDF822071FFE3A6585072BF554371" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_C65193C6FD1694221EE85072BF550915" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_BD1DDF822071FFE3A6585072BF554371" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_3D9D03E8DD0B00EF595F5072BF553218" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_BD1DDF822071FFE3A6585072BF554371" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_3D9D03E8DD0B00EF595F5072BF553218" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_455FF934B1523A082DAD5072BF55EDEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_455FF934B1523A082DAD5072BF55EDEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8877F11CCA36DB02F6CC5072BF55214D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_455FF934B1523A082DAD5072BF55EDEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8877F11CCA36DB02F6CC5072BF55214D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8877F11CCA36DB02F6CC5072BF55214D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_455FF934B1523A082DAD5072BF55EDEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8877F11CCA36DB02F6CC5072BF55214D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_39E1488A07EA896223145072BF551A10" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8877F11CCA36DB02F6CC5072BF55214D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_39E1488A07EA896223145072BF551A10" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_D15E6317BEA49C96DCFD5072BF55F0ED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_D15E6317BEA49C96DCFD5072BF55F0ED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_73431BC3AC9F858F98F85072BF55C9C2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_D15E6317BEA49C96DCFD5072BF55F0ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_73431BC3AC9F858F98F85072BF55C9C2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_73431BC3AC9F858F98F85072BF55C9C2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_D15E6317BEA49C96DCFD5072BF55F0ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_73431BC3AC9F858F98F85072BF55C9C2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember_21D19E93FDE4AACE20E95072BF5563BE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_73431BC3AC9F858F98F85072BF55C9C2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember_21D19E93FDE4AACE20E95072BF5563BE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_2A54FD291F2C2D310C895072BF55479E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_2A54FD291F2C2D310C895072BF55479E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0503D76BEFFFB6F5B0FA5072BF5568AF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_2A54FD291F2C2D310C895072BF55479E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0503D76BEFFFB6F5B0FA5072BF5568AF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0503D76BEFFFB6F5B0FA5072BF5568AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_2A54FD291F2C2D310C895072BF55479E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0503D76BEFFFB6F5B0FA5072BF5568AF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019E0FD4EC8DE45574285072BF55E2F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_0503D76BEFFFB6F5B0FA5072BF5568AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019E0FD4EC8DE45574285072BF55E2F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3623117C60659A8207975072BF556D5D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_1CEA75E6A3728B9213105072BF556209" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3623117C60659A8207975072BF556D5D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_000D51F0F1139CEEF5865072BF556D13_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3623117C60659A8207975072BF556D5D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_000D51F0F1139CEEF5865072BF556D13_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_000D51F0F1139CEEF5865072BF556D13" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3623117C60659A8207975072BF556D5D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_000D51F0F1139CEEF5865072BF556D13" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_TermLoanMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_TermLoanMember_2D32D687E4188610C1E35072BF55475E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_000D51F0F1139CEEF5865072BF556D13" xlink:to="loc_frt_TermLoanMember_2D32D687E4188610C1E35072BF55475E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_D1B6330953F47D3CCF9D5072BF5512BF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_D1B6330953F47D3CCF9D5072BF5512BF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld_7D4BFFC07411F6D9E70E5072BF55EC1D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld_7D4BFFC07411F6D9E70E5072BF55EC1D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_7AFB72F6255AEEA83FFC5072BF553DDF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_7AFB72F6255AEEA83FFC5072BF553DDF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNotesPayable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNotesPayable_89F29A84CC90CBAEBB755072BF55E386" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNotesPayable_89F29A84CC90CBAEBB755072BF55E386" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_1B8429A00F0A5494C8125072BF55D85F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_1B8429A00F0A5494C8125072BF55D85F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_8C70D26C4E35D945E5885072BF553813" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_8C70D26C4E35D945E5885072BF553813" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_3731B0125E06AAF845275072BF55BF23" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_3731B0125E06AAF845275072BF55BF23" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_42A26C98B97E6C0488845072BF55AEF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_42A26C98B97E6C0488845072BF55AEF5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet_E0B9045F15A5689807205072BF55EBB0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_B5B9A15F61E7A5DE56FA5072BF557804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet_E0B9045F15A5689807205072BF55EBB0" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_FDD236B1863043DD864A12CFC2F39A07" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0E249C37F9A90BDB578512CFC2F35688" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_FDD236B1863043DD864A12CFC2F39A07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0E249C37F9A90BDB578512CFC2F35688" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_13091DEAA0C6A535FC4112CFC2F36DEC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0E249C37F9A90BDB578512CFC2F35688" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_13091DEAA0C6A535FC4112CFC2F36DEC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_13091DEAA0C6A535FC4112CFC2F36DEC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_13091DEAA0C6A535FC4112CFC2F36DEC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember_17F7C20322658640216812CFC2F3167B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D" xlink:to="loc_frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember_17F7C20322658640216812CFC2F3167B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember_CCF945F68A0BD786173212CFC2F3548C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5409DB30CBDE00F2C7C712CFC2F3701D" xlink:to="loc_frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember_CCF945F68A0BD786173212CFC2F3548C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_47DC1D20D1E320640A3A12CFC2F35A3F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_0E249C37F9A90BDB578512CFC2F35688" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_47DC1D20D1E320640A3A12CFC2F35A3F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_47DC1D20D1E320640A3A12CFC2F35A3F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_9E3CF1C2CBC1D16654CF12CFC2F3DB52" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_47DC1D20D1E320640A3A12CFC2F35A3F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_9E3CF1C2CBC1D16654CF12CFC2F3DB52" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_9E3CF1C2CBC1D16654CF12CFC2F3DB52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_9F1C45AD19206A4BB5FF12CFC2F356FD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_9F1C45AD19206A4BB5FF12CFC2F356FD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2E1E6F0149919734609B12CFC2F3211A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2D9FB0281666FA93823712D2C9A7852C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_2E1E6F0149919734609B12CFC2F3211A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_9583F90EA05AADD1148B12CFC2F31DEA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_FDD236B1863043DD864A12CFC2F39A07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_9583F90EA05AADD1148B12CFC2F31DEA" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_8D0243FC387E0B8F3D154F58095526EF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_86257672BD1DCF9596824F58095416CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_8D0243FC387E0B8F3D154F58095526EF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_86257672BD1DCF9596824F58095416CD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_B72034CF31173013757B4F580954EBF0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_86257672BD1DCF9596824F58095416CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_B72034CF31173013757B4F580954EBF0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5890BF9C0B5A8125B4454F5809540CC1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_B72034CF31173013757B4F580954EBF0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5890BF9C0B5A8125B4454F5809540CC1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5890BF9C0B5A8125B4454F5809540CC1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_B72034CF31173013757B4F580954EBF0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5890BF9C0B5A8125B4454F5809540CC1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_A03EA12C95275D2C602D4F580954148B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5890BF9C0B5A8125B4454F5809540CC1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_A03EA12C95275D2C602D4F580954148B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_5671E57A694A09B45E364F580954297E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_86257672BD1DCF9596824F58095416CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_5671E57A694A09B45E364F580954297E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3AB5F0256A43E38868B54F58095546F3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_5671E57A694A09B45E364F580954297E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3AB5F0256A43E38868B54F58095546F3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3AB5F0256A43E38868B54F58095546F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_5671E57A694A09B45E364F580954297E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3AB5F0256A43E38868B54F58095546F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_6DCB01921A3F445FA2474F580955E66D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_3AB5F0256A43E38868B54F58095546F3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_6DCB01921A3F445FA2474F580955E66D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_EF34CD3FB8FC6850B8CF4F580955FDCD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_86257672BD1DCF9596824F58095416CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_EF34CD3FB8FC6850B8CF4F580955FDCD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_EF34CD3FB8FC6850B8CF4F580955FDCD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_EF34CD3FB8FC6850B8CF4F580955FDCD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4850607CA141A9DBAC734F5809556645" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_4850607CA141A9DBAC734F5809556645" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_1865B0D374FE419E25094F5809554A29" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_1865B0D374FE419E25094F5809554A29" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_3A7F6FF4BAD2542F8C7A4F58095570DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_0A8583F0411089B1E1B84F580955C91B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_3A7F6FF4BAD2542F8C7A4F58095570DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_4FF898031528E2637CC24F580955118F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_8D0243FC387E0B8F3D154F58095526EF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_4FF898031528E2637CC24F580955118F" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstate" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DEB59866ADCB6B2CB58E4D24FF041413" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DEB59866ADCB6B2CB58E4D24FF041413" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_65D8D47B1A315ED5F7A54D24FF042D5C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DEB59866ADCB6B2CB58E4D24FF041413" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_65D8D47B1A315ED5F7A54D24FF042D5C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_65D8D47B1A315ED5F7A54D24FF042D5C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DEB59866ADCB6B2CB58E4D24FF041413" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_65D8D47B1A315ED5F7A54D24FF042D5C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustINGClarionPartnersPartnershipMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustINGClarionPartnersPartnershipMember_A8384A501EB6A10CF43D4D24FF05D56E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_65D8D47B1A315ED5F7A54D24FF042D5C" xlink:to="loc_frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustINGClarionPartnersPartnershipMember_A8384A501EB6A10CF43D4D24FF05D56E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4E91DC624512589B19304D24FF05B8F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4E91DC624512589B19304D24FF05B8F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4E91DC624512589B19304D24FF05B8F3" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_4E91DC624512589B19304D24FF05B8F3" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustMember_D6C73B86548578143AB14D24FF059B1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED" xlink:to="loc_frt_FederalRealtyInvestmentTrustMember_D6C73B86548578143AB14D24FF059B1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ClarionMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_ClarionMember_0A4314C50514F45B707B4D24FF052E7D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED" xlink:to="loc_frt_ClarionMember_0A4314C50514F45B707B4D24FF052E7D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_CocoWalkMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_CocoWalkMember_6F9504868195DF6334264D2961A8B4A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_EECD6829995EE17E927F4D24FF052AED" xlink:to="loc_frt_CocoWalkMember_6F9504868195DF6334264D2961A8B4A8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_A6072BB8C7D7761F0FD34D24FF058B81" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_A6072BB8C7D7761F0FD34D24FF058B81" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_302C95AAB8C4B91499904D24FF05BD89_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_A6072BB8C7D7761F0FD34D24FF058B81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_302C95AAB8C4B91499904D24FF05BD89_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_302C95AAB8C4B91499904D24FF05BD89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_A6072BB8C7D7761F0FD34D24FF058B81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_302C95AAB8C4B91499904D24FF05BD89" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_FC9B855C019AF55452B24D24FF05A41E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_302C95AAB8C4B91499904D24FF05BD89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_FC9B855C019AF55452B24D24FF05A41E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_9399797651876CF519624D24FF0547C0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_9399797651876CF519624D24FF0547C0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6C54B0C77A27F534D94E4D24FF0576DE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_9399797651876CF519624D24FF0547C0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6C54B0C77A27F534D94E4D24FF0576DE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6C54B0C77A27F534D94E4D24FF0576DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_9399797651876CF519624D24FF0547C0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6C54B0C77A27F534D94E4D24FF0576DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_FFBF987084B67233E17E4D24FF059F6B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6C54B0C77A27F534D94E4D24FF0576DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_FFBF987084B67233E17E4D24FF059F6B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_CCC23CD4F1E2D1B09B5F4D24FF05F5EB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_CCC23CD4F1E2D1B09B5F4D24FF05F5EB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_CCC23CD4F1E2D1B09B5F4D24FF05F5EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_CCC23CD4F1E2D1B09B5F4D24FF05F5EB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_E3B1AC614966875EEEE24D24FF067395" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_E3B1AC614966875EEEE24D24FF067395" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_5FE28C242D7BBD8FA45C4D24FF060999" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_C139422677AF75C2861D4D24FF0659C6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_5FE28C242D7BBD8FA45C4D24FF060999" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_6BAA0BC05C3A97A305C44D24FF068EE2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_6BAA0BC05C3A97A305C44D24FF068EE2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_1D9B242266DD92E2395A4D24FF064A00_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_6BAA0BC05C3A97A305C44D24FF068EE2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_1D9B242266DD92E2395A4D24FF064A00_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_1D9B242266DD92E2395A4D24FF064A00" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_6BAA0BC05C3A97A305C44D24FF068EE2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_1D9B242266DD92E2395A4D24FF064A00" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_A86D9BD439350A8E5F3C4D24FF06B849" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_1D9B242266DD92E2395A4D24FF064A00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_A86D9BD439350A8E5F3C4D24FF06B849" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3045CC0EA8B5DE9A759F4D24FF06F3D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_A2026C3905CFB7CEF6744D24FF042435" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3045CC0EA8B5DE9A759F4D24FF06F3D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_B6284473E5CEE000C8AE4D24FF068C18_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3045CC0EA8B5DE9A759F4D24FF06F3D3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_B6284473E5CEE000C8AE4D24FF068C18_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_B6284473E5CEE000C8AE4D24FF068C18" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3045CC0EA8B5DE9A759F4D24FF06F3D3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_B6284473E5CEE000C8AE4D24FF068C18" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_ClarionMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_ClarionMember_7D5E8D1F3309C549AEE94D24FF07C208" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_B6284473E5CEE000C8AE4D24FF068C18" xlink:to="loc_frt_ClarionMember_7D5E8D1F3309C549AEE94D24FF07C208" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_9B395576769891F561D14D24FF075034" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_9B395576769891F561D14D24FF075034" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_0C07C1AB0A5EF17890714D24FF0784A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_0C07C1AB0A5EF17890714D24FF0784A8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_DB577D571760BBD6D64D4D24FF077FAF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_DB577D571760BBD6D64D4D24FF077FAF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_C5D0D5C9EFB823E177994D24FF0700B2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_C5D0D5C9EFB823E177994D24FF0700B2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1_D52396940CCA080F7FDE4D24FF079AD0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionDebtAssumed1_D52396940CCA080F7FDE4D24FF079AD0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain_DEAE589BF7734FB6EDE04D24FF07ECD9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain_DEAE589BF7734FB6EDE04D24FF07ECD9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_F1E998087CFD719C82964D24FF073F58" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_F1E998087CFD719C82964D24FF073F58" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAcquired" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAcquired_C870C3773E520A2E1A354D24FF083332" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAcquired_C870C3773E520A2E1A354D24FF083332" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_FBDF783C377F50A05BE34D24FF08E05A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_FBDF783C377F50A05BE34D24FF08E05A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_Gainlossonsaleofrealestatenetofnoncontrollinginterests" xlink:label="loc_frt_Gainlossonsaleofrealestatenetofnoncontrollinginterests_F440869D08E9D79A2E364D24FF083D66" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_92F9719C7A1529A5AF0D4D24FF07FC2B" xlink:to="loc_frt_Gainlossonsaleofrealestatenetofnoncontrollinginterests_F440869D08E9D79A2E364D24FF083D66" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_DED2869F637A4C2817C25076FBA910D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_DED2869F637A4C2817C25076FBA910D1" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6AF9F90F73091EF0726B5076FBA9E369" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_DED2869F637A4C2817C25076FBA910D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6AF9F90F73091EF0726B5076FBA9E369" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6AF9F90F73091EF0726B5076FBA9E369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6AF9F90F73091EF0726B5076FBA9E369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember_53136205B35FE5222EC15076FBA932D4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68" xlink:to="loc_frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember_53136205B35FE5222EC15076FBA932D4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_PublicEquityOfferingMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_PublicEquityOfferingMember_F32D561469069EDBD19A5076FBA9D89E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_FE3456CDCE495A2CC2E45076FBA92E68" xlink:to="loc_frt_PublicEquityOfferingMember_F32D561469069EDBD19A5076FBA9D89E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_C8D289D978A7C7E0B6525076FBA97D74" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_DED2869F637A4C2817C25076FBA910D1" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_C8D289D978A7C7E0B6525076FBA97D74" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_C8D289D978A7C7E0B6525076FBA97D74" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_C8D289D978A7C7E0B6525076FBA97D74" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_CommissionsMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_CommissionsMember_C4C67F0ABDA1895DA9EC5076FBA983BF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6" xlink:to="loc_frt_CommissionsMember_C4C67F0ABDA1895DA9EC5076FBA983BF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember_F4151D4CEF46DA4626935076FBA9451D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_F755F58CBAE5F4BDC4D15076FBA9D9F6" xlink:to="loc_frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember_F4151D4CEF46DA4626935076FBA9451D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare" xlink:label="loc_frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare_7EF25D26C63F2D2C95715076FBA9345A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare_7EF25D26C63F2D2C95715076FBA9345A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_1C9B93E11E07ADFBBBF85076FBA9AD66" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_1C9B93E11E07ADFBBBF85076FBA9AD66" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare" xlink:label="loc_frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare_27B4F0F8C7A849F3AEE65076FBA95108" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare_27B4F0F8C7A849F3AEE65076FBA95108" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_B908CECB91FD034DABB25076FBA90693" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_B908CECB91FD034DABB25076FBA90693" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_D75C256A1A10C99CDC685076FBA94790" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_D75C256A1A10C99CDC685076FBA94790" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue" xlink:label="loc_frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue_08AA5AAF5EAF7D3C3EED5076FBA944D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue_08AA5AAF5EAF7D3C3EED5076FBA944D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare_47531EE6BD6B986F6FCE5076FBA93A13" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_9041D3CEDE53447C3CE95076FBA9DFCC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssuedPricePerShare_47531EE6BD6B986F6FCE5076FBA93A13" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_DividendsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_DividendsTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_DividendsTable_E31E9B4CED98129B66FB4F55D5EA8032" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_frt_DividendsTable_E31E9B4CED98129B66FB4F55D5EA8032" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_66E4F19117E9235A7CF24F55D5EAEBD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsTable_E31E9B4CED98129B66FB4F55D5EA8032" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_66E4F19117E9235A7CF24F55D5EAEBD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_66E4F19117E9235A7CF24F55D5EAEBD6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_66E4F19117E9235A7CF24F55D5EAEBD6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_D45F9B236D19FF1BFECE4F55D5EBAE5A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_D45F9B236D19FF1BFECE4F55D5EBAE5A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_47E43EB240ACD59D68A14F55D5EBDE38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F" xlink:to="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_47E43EB240ACD59D68A14F55D5EBDE38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_8C383A1A141D798D9AD64F55D5EB5DAC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_8C383A1A141D798D9AD64F55D5EB5DAC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_9F3E89DB74C1D0E32BC24F55D5EB646C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_9F3E89DB74C1D0E32BC24F55D5EB646C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_5BAA35908E86F995DEFC4F55D5EBF264" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_5BAA35908E86F995DEFC4F55D5EBF264" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_257B9E21D30D09F941AB4F55D5ECCA43" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_257B9E21D30D09F941AB4F55D5ECCA43" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_68031C100F7ACE317B4B4F55D5ECA613" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_10C94D2F032FE49DBC094F55D5EBD8D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_68031C100F7ACE317B4B4F55D5ECA613" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_75F39165B73F1FA71EC650EC1CB60299" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_75F39165B73F1FA71EC650EC1CB60299" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_E927B17F93CA11D72B3950EC1CB6811A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_75F39165B73F1FA71EC650EC1CB60299" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_E927B17F93CA11D72B3950EC1CB6811A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_CFE20DEF216F0BB72BA450EC1CB6915C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_E927B17F93CA11D72B3950EC1CB6811A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_CFE20DEF216F0BB72BA450EC1CB6915C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_CFE20DEF216F0BB72BA450EC1CB6915C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_E927B17F93CA11D72B3950EC1CB6811A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_CFE20DEF216F0BB72BA450EC1CB6915C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_A3.625SeniornotesMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_A3.625SeniornotesMember_26C61A5502D1F85153B850EC1CB6741A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_CFE20DEF216F0BB72BA450EC1CB6915C" xlink:to="loc_frt_A3.625SeniornotesMember_26C61A5502D1F85153B850EC1CB6741A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_12F4050BE6501C30D04450ECC4580F95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_75F39165B73F1FA71EC650EC1CB60299" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_12F4050BE6501C30D04450ECC4580F95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_43B7BE8C631186BE1C6850ECC4D11D9F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_12F4050BE6501C30D04450ECC4580F95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_43B7BE8C631186BE1C6850ECC4D11D9F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_43B7BE8C631186BE1C6850ECC4D11D9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_12F4050BE6501C30D04450ECC4580F95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_43B7BE8C631186BE1C6850ECC4D11D9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72F3360D23572E14FC4450EEF9054038" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_43B7BE8C631186BE1C6850ECC4D11D9F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72F3360D23572E14FC4450EEF9054038" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_BBC97D199ABB9F15E6A550EC1CB65EB6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_75F39165B73F1FA71EC650EC1CB60299" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_BBC97D199ABB9F15E6A550EC1CB65EB6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7B9F4EC02DC868310B5350EC1CB64D7C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_BBC97D199ABB9F15E6A550EC1CB65EB6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7B9F4EC02DC868310B5350EC1CB64D7C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7B9F4EC02DC868310B5350EC1CB64D7C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_BBC97D199ABB9F15E6A550EC1CB65EB6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7B9F4EC02DC868310B5350EC1CB64D7C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_A523DC8F341598EAF0BF50EC1CB68D5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_7B9F4EC02DC868310B5350EC1CB64D7C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_A523DC8F341598EAF0BF50EC1CB68D5B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_F8B5112D4F8419572E2350EC1CB7A3CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_F8B5112D4F8419572E2350EC1CB7A3CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5AE3A1B7AA7EF64F40AB50EC1CB7B31E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5AE3A1B7AA7EF64F40AB50EC1CB7B31E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_NoteOfferingPercent" xlink:label="loc_frt_NoteOfferingPercent_D4A871ABBBCD28C9649650EC1CB7CAC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_frt_NoteOfferingPercent_D4A871ABBBCD28C9649650EC1CB7CAC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_DebtYieldToMaturityPercent" xlink:label="loc_frt_DebtYieldToMaturityPercent_CC3F11B0D3F14CDF6E6250EC1CB7586B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_frt_DebtYieldToMaturityPercent_CC3F11B0D3F14CDF6E6250EC1CB7586B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_A8D2FA0D87E23956652A50EC1CB7317D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_DDC7FE6B9912B30CD68A50EC1CB635D6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_A8D2FA0D87E23956652A50EC1CB7317D" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_F49753886A0D80B394F14F55D56D7EC9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_F49753886A0D80B394F14F55D56D7EC9" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_4B037435E7F9988198424F55D56D1E03" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_F49753886A0D80B394F14F55D56D7EC9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_4B037435E7F9988198424F55D56D1E03" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_B0AA3BD8CC0798DD4B064F55D56D2B63_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_4B037435E7F9988198424F55D56D1E03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_B0AA3BD8CC0798DD4B064F55D56D2B63_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_B0AA3BD8CC0798DD4B064F55D56D2B63" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis_4B037435E7F9988198424F55D56D1E03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_B0AA3BD8CC0798DD4B064F55D56D2B63" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember_3B49FFD046BAEAB8D6CF4F55D56DC58B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfAdoptionMember_B0AA3BD8CC0798DD4B064F55D56D2B63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementMember_3B49FFD046BAEAB8D6CF4F55D56DC58B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_D42F3C7D224F91F5D1854F55D56D83C1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_F49753886A0D80B394F14F55D56D7EC9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_D42F3C7D224F91F5D1854F55D56D83C1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_AF3028711DEDB05F64FA4F55D56DB38B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_D42F3C7D224F91F5D1854F55D56D83C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_AF3028711DEDB05F64FA4F55D56DB38B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_AF3028711DEDB05F64FA4F55D56DB38B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_D42F3C7D224F91F5D1854F55D56D83C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_AF3028711DEDB05F64FA4F55D56DB38B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_PreviousvotinginterestentityMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_PreviousvotinginterestentityMember_EA054CD2E7324F6F51E84F55D56D49CE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_AF3028711DEDB05F64FA4F55D56DB38B" xlink:to="loc_frt_PreviousvotinginterestentityMember_EA054CD2E7324F6F51E84F55D56D49CE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_PikeandRoseHotelJVMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_PikeandRoseHotelJVMember_9E9A2D05AB8C5656593A4F55D56E7E12" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_PreviousvotinginterestentityMember_EA054CD2E7324F6F51E84F55D56D49CE" xlink:to="loc_frt_PikeandRoseHotelJVMember_9E9A2D05AB8C5656593A4F55D56E7E12" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_NumberofPropertiesPreviouslyConsolidatedasVotingInterestEntities" xlink:label="loc_frt_NumberofPropertiesPreviouslyConsolidatedasVotingInterestEntities_B49FC4F0FA421E89E8794F55D56E0A9C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_frt_NumberofPropertiesPreviouslyConsolidatedasVotingInterestEntities_B49FC4F0FA421E89E8794F55D56E0A9C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_DB4E843FFB421C99F6BE4F55D56EC616" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityConsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_DB4E843FFB421C99F6BE4F55D56EC616" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="frt-20160630.xsd#frt_MortgagePayableFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities" xlink:label="loc_frt_MortgagePayableFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities_738C2D83B9F4A6F4E11B4F55D56E9983" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_frt_MortgagePayableFromConsolidatedVariableInterestEntities_738C2D83B9F4A6F4E11B4F55D56E9983" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets_44E38A172EDC1C003EAA4F55D56E3E5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssets_44E38A172EDC1C003EAA4F55D56E3E5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_766FB8B39B30035BCDED4F55D56EB952" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_766FB8B39B30035BCDED4F55D56EB952" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_9AD82F94DD48A94272B44F55D56EBB24" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_844577D8790680803EB74F55D56E1CD5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_9AD82F94DD48A94272B44F55D56EBB24" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</linkbase>
