<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="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">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstate" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#RealEstate" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#RealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateSignificantAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#RealEstateSignificantAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganization" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/BusinessAndOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_13F3DA9DA90DEC31FDB0C4CD8054EC31" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_6DF9436490BF15FF2D5AC4CD8054D21C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_13F3DA9DA90DEC31FDB0C4CD8054EC31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_6DF9436490BF15FF2D5AC4CD8054D21C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_6877CA34284E48D87A0AC4CD80547AA9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_6DF9436490BF15FF2D5AC4CD8054D21C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6877CA34284E48D87A0AC4CD80547AA9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_713932988ABC4DB24F2CC4CD80548911_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6877CA34284E48D87A0AC4CD80547AA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_713932988ABC4DB24F2CC4CD80548911_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_713932988ABC4DB24F2CC4CD80548911" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_6877CA34284E48D87A0AC4CD80547AA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_713932988ABC4DB24F2CC4CD80548911" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_SanAntonioCenterMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_SanAntonioCenterMember_A095D3CD59EC7C30F8E4C4CD805425D4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_713932988ABC4DB24F2CC4CD80548911" xlink:to="loc_frt_SanAntonioCenterMember_A095D3CD59EC7C30F8E4C4CD805425D4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_PaymentstoAcquireOutstandingInterest" xlink:label="loc_frt_PaymentstoAcquireOutstandingInterest_31264ECD40B496E0627BC4CD80548A3E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_13F3DA9DA90DEC31FDB0C4CD8054EC31" xlink:to="loc_frt_PaymentstoAcquireOutstandingInterest_31264ECD40B496E0627BC4CD80548A3E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_NumberofdownREITunitsissuedinconnectionwithpurchaseoption" xlink:label="loc_frt_NumberofdownREITunitsissuedinconnectionwithpurchaseoption_082262AF6229E4C1DD15C4CD805452E3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_13F3DA9DA90DEC31FDB0C4CD8054EC31" xlink:to="loc_frt_NumberofdownREITunitsissuedinconnectionwithpurchaseoption_082262AF6229E4C1DD15C4CD805452E3" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfMinimumRentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_MinimumRentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_A2CDEC355B335AECB79D8DEBD61C062E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_E9BAAB1215AD5F5D9254CC2D3FF3D8AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_A2CDEC355B335AECB79D8DEBD61C062E" xlink:to="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_E9BAAB1215AD5F5D9254CC2D3FF3D8AD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_C109AC14EBC35179BAFBB0D71F4853A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_ScheduleOfMinimumRentsTable_E9BAAB1215AD5F5D9254CC2D3FF3D8AD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C109AC14EBC35179BAFBB0D71F4853A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E5AEE0D0FDDE5F3CA62CBC14E5B8FAB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C109AC14EBC35179BAFBB0D71F4853A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7B6792AEBFA154CCC1384F55D4C855B9_E5AEE0D0FDDE5F3CA62CBC14E5B8FAB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E5E6ECE2FECC50D3A9A65D2C9092F27B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C109AC14EBC35179BAFBB0D71F4853A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E5E6ECE2FECC50D3A9A65D2C9092F27B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_3E6A319CAA7E51DD9229A36AE05F9EF2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E5E6ECE2FECC50D3A9A65D2C9092F27B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_3E6A319CAA7E51DD9229A36AE05F9EF2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember_BCB8397C0C1A5ADEAE95767AE4BA2074" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E5E6ECE2FECC50D3A9A65D2C9092F27B" xlink:to="loc_frt_BelowMarketLeaseMember_BCB8397C0C1A5ADEAE95767AE4BA2074" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_80358DA76E8452EBB8B873038826668B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_A2CDEC355B335AECB79D8DEBD61C062E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_80358DA76E8452EBB8B873038826668B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1F73D83056F452D195F68EB9B154A7EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_MinimumRentLineItems_A2CDEC355B335AECB79D8DEBD61C062E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_1F73D83056F452D195F68EB9B154A7EC" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeScheduleOfPrincipalComponentsOfRentalIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_CE1DF93AE44DBBFF398E86DE4A27B67A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_CE1DF93AE44DBBFF398E86DE4A27B67A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_8CF7940A7B879E5DF55686DE4A27587A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTable_CE1DF93AE44DBBFF398E86DE4A27B67A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_8CF7940A7B879E5DF55686DE4A27587A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_8CF7940A7B879E5DF55686DE4A27587A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseAxis_8CF7940A7B879E5DF55686DE4A27587A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_BC5B550B2F5474C8FBE786DE4A273600" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstateMember_BC5B550B2F5474C8FBE786DE4A273600" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_2B21FE20572CC608845486DE4A27C984" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertySubjectToOrAvailableForOperatingLeaseDomain_775D31F854AC472BC98B86DE4A2787F4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResidentialRealEstateMember_2B21FE20572CC608845486DE4A27C984" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_5B09579206FAD5E76E0C86DE4A272E42" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementMinimumLeaseRevenue_5B09579206FAD5E76E0C86DE4A272E42" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DBFE21FD3B71BF6D8D3F86DE4A27ADF8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TenantReimbursements_DBFE21FD3B71BF6D8D3F86DE4A27ADF8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_810E2F88C3235945008D86DE4A272BAD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PercentageRent_810E2F88C3235945008D86DE4A272BAD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_OtherRentalIncome" xlink:label="loc_frt_OtherRentalIncome_427CDF03F2832A8A5E9386DE4A27CF66" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_frt_OtherRentalIncome_427CDF03F2832A8A5E9386DE4A27CF66" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_9FA54157637334E5D1AB86DE4A2701CE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_DA822BFAC5CB6E3395FB86DE4A2708E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesIncomeStatementLeaseRevenue_9FA54157637334E5D1AB86DE4A2701CE" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ComponentsOfRentalIncomeTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_0B64E8A232FA53508E95C1B922ACEA7E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_6A38156B0E33A59BF5B6C1B922AC3508" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0B64E8A232FA53508E95C1B922ACEA7E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6A38156B0E33A59BF5B6C1B922AC3508" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_8ACEED1A60F5A5A0809DC1B922ACC82C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_6A38156B0E33A59BF5B6C1B922AC3508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_8ACEED1A60F5A5A0809DC1B922ACC82C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_8ACEED1A60F5A5A0809DC1B922ACC82C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_8ACEED1A60F5A5A0809DC1B922ACC82C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1CA1956F1001696CCD29C1B922AC44D9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_1CA1956F1001696CCD29C1B922AC44D9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_C992C25E53075E724E33C1B922ACA2A6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_C992C25E53075E724E33C1B922ACA2A6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_2D9BD2D7322B66EC1897C1B922AC27B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2D9BD2D7322B66EC1897C1B922AC27B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_40E12C3B05496FFFA90FC1B922AC6804" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_40E12C3B05496FFFA90FC1B922AC6804" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DF79B58246122C2F7F9BC1B922ACF493" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_DF79B58246122C2F7F9BC1B922ACF493" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_58C6862FD33DDB0F4E3FC1B922ACFBD3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_763794F46B85FE53D6A1C1B922AC7828" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_58C6862FD33DDB0F4E3FC1B922ACFBD3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_0B64E8A232FA53508E95C1B922ACEA7E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_6145D13E7F6F32050A14C1B922AC0864" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_6145D13E7F6F32050A14C1B922AC0864" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_EAB4A81AD8B2608B20C5C1B922AC59B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_EAB4A81AD8B2608B20C5C1B922AC59B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1_798D58B6906846FE9D43C1B922AC4C08" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1_798D58B6906846FE9D43C1B922AC4C08" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests" xlink:label="loc_frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_D3EC7CDE1D945549144BC1B922AC8B08" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_ProfitLossExcludingRedeemableNoncontrollingInterests_D3EC7CDE1D945549144BC1B922AC8B08" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B6A57A9E510E52BCB119C1B922AC929F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_B6A57A9E510E52BCB119C1B922AC929F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_ACDE7DB434A6E2AEB0DBC1B922AC5E5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_ACDE7DB434A6E2AEB0DBC1B922AC5E5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D2AA1E71DD94D7D05C1FC1B922AC4AA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStockCash_D2AA1E71DD94D7D05C1FC1B922AC4AA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E1DA57A61BCE5591D520C1B922AC1FE6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_E1DA57A61BCE5591D520C1B922AC1FE6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FB9CB204A5333BAF0112C1B922AC34E9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_FB9CB204A5333BAF0112C1B922AC34E9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FAC3B00C596919FFC30AC1B922AC98E8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_FAC3B00C596919FFC30AC1B922AC98E8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E200F1B31856C675EC13C1B922ACC891" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_E200F1B31856C675EC13C1B922ACC891" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_639ABD82DF56312E8177C1B922ACC0A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_639ABD82DF56312E8177C1B922ACC0A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_7FD0B7CFA192E2B25F8CC1B922AC2A69" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesDividendReinvestmentPlan_7FD0B7CFA192E2B25F8CC1B922AC2A69" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D2C96D7690B2034653C3C1B922ACABD2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueDividendReinvestmentPlan_D2C96D7690B2034653C3C1B922ACABD2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares" xlink:label="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares_E6FF09B9C894668DD5F1C1B922AC146D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetShares_E6FF09B9C894668DD5F1C1B922AC146D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue" xlink:label="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue_719D28D8FD52B8F6C0EDC1B922ACCE23" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_ShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetValue_719D28D8FD52B8F6C0EDC1B922ACCE23" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_BEF15ABDCF4B72189C9EC1B922AC91A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_BEF15ABDCF4B72189C9EC1B922AC91A8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_116E48495D237733E07DC1B922AC0BC5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_116E48495D237733E07DC1B922AC0BC5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares" xlink:label="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares_E64639D43DB05924DA6CC1B922AC0343" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="19" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsInShares_E64639D43DB05924DA6CC1B922AC0343" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits" xlink:label="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits_4B26E0E7FBD3C3F0628FC1B922ACC91E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="20" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_ConversionAndRedemptionOfOperatingPartnershipUnits_4B26E0E7FBD3C3F0628FC1B922ACC91E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_Contributionsfromnoncontrollinginterests" xlink:label="loc_frt_Contributionsfromnoncontrollinginterests_C0DEBDA0D63B245484D5C1B922AC3E18" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="21" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_frt_Contributionsfromnoncontrollinginterests_C0DEBDA0D63B245484D5C1B922AC3E18" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_994407C3F72800718BE9C1B922AC0E88" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="22" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_877C8871AFBA6ED83745C1B922AC5151" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_994407C3F72800718BE9C1B922AC0E88" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_BC2FED20504B16201921C4DACEA60272" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BC2FED20504B16201921C4DACEA60272" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_86E53C8340F2DF7997E9C4DEBDB47FC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BC2FED20504B16201921C4DACEA60272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_86E53C8340F2DF7997E9C4DEBDB47FC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1835861CD17A28A2743CC4DEBDB64C9B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_86E53C8340F2DF7997E9C4DEBDB47FC6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1835861CD17A28A2743CC4DEBDB64C9B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1835861CD17A28A2743CC4DEBDB64C9B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_86E53C8340F2DF7997E9C4DEBDB47FC6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1835861CD17A28A2743CC4DEBDB64C9B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_359542DAD44F5BBBA9EAC4DACEA74848" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_359542DAD44F5BBBA9EAC4DACEA74848" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_94A835792EC7A73A88BBC4DACEA7CAB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOutstandingDuringPeriod_94A835792EC7A73A88BBC4DACEA7CAB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_0CD5CC491AF4954F8658C4DACEA72726" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAverageOutstandingAmount_0CD5CC491AF4954F8658C4DACEA72726" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees" xlink:label="loc_frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees_6477E80350B5DA48C5DDC4DACEA7D316" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_frt_LineofcreditfacilityweightedaverageinterestratebeforeamortizationofdebtFees_6477E80350B5DA48C5DDC4DACEA7D316" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_69E544A11EB5D818D4D1C4DACEA7F67B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2734798B7FDF790B8DD1C4DACEA74135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_69E544A11EB5D818D4D1C4DACEA7F67B" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_0925B1AE1AE97BDFC131876F6DC6992F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_F914479F1C152ECE73F6876F6DC6D26E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_0925B1AE1AE97BDFC131876F6DC6992F" xlink:to="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_F914479F1C152ECE73F6876F6DC6D26E" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_1EF4C3CFE4533DB51682876F6DC66D79" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeTable_F914479F1C152ECE73F6876F6DC6D26E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1EF4C3CFE4533DB51682876F6DC66D79" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DDE4F95B52FFE092594B876F6DC63FE4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1EF4C3CFE4533DB51682876F6DC66D79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_DDE4F95B52FFE092594B876F6DC63FE4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DDE4F95B52FFE092594B876F6DC63FE4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_1EF4C3CFE4533DB51682876F6DC66D79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_DDE4F95B52FFE092594B876F6DC63FE4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_90B11361161AD1906A83876F6DC6895C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_DDE4F95B52FFE092594B876F6DC63FE4" xlink:to="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_90B11361161AD1906A83876F6DC6895C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D2DF32EF0B84FE45B7FC876F6DC667F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_0925B1AE1AE97BDFC131876F6DC6992F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToParticipatingNonvestedSharesWithNonForfeitableDividendRights_D2DF32EF0B84FE45B7FC876F6DC667F9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D8DA6F85916BE9DDF361876F6DC65305" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_0925B1AE1AE97BDFC131876F6DC6992F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_D8DA6F85916BE9DDF361876F6DC65305" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B68FC725E17E1F8CD1D7876F6DC6EA5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_EarningsPerShareNarrativeLineItems_0925B1AE1AE97BDFC131876F6DC6992F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_B68FC725E17E1F8CD1D7876F6DC6EA5E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_8FCAFF4FF28AC0B67CE6C495F0874D49" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_775143C4916714CFE148C495F0875766" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8FCAFF4FF28AC0B67CE6C495F0874D49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_775143C4916714CFE148C495F0875766" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_8DC0817F9381BD9DD903C495F0875EA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_775143C4916714CFE148C495F0875766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_8DC0817F9381BD9DD903C495F0875EA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_69D8A778406533376BD4C495F0872ADE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_8DC0817F9381BD9DD903C495F0875EA2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_69D8A778406533376BD4C495F0872ADE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_69D8A778406533376BD4C495F0872ADE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis_8DC0817F9381BD9DD903C495F0875EA2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_69D8A778406533376BD4C495F0872ADE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D2F351251E1A960CCA0DC495F0874FA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_775143C4916714CFE148C495F0875766" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_D2F351251E1A960CCA0DC495F0874FA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D0AF72DD33EAB7C156D5C495F0877667_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_D2F351251E1A960CCA0DC495F0874FA0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_D0AF72DD33EAB7C156D5C495F0877667_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D0AF72DD33EAB7C156D5C495F0877667" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_D2F351251E1A960CCA0DC495F0874FA0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_D0AF72DD33EAB7C156D5C495F0877667" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_AD917766C7DB84F53D87C49628BDFC90" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_AD917766C7DB84F53D87C49628BDFC90" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_5B2947AC0D89DFD7484AC49628BDFCEA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_AD917766C7DB84F53D87C49628BDFC90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5B2947AC0D89DFD7484AC49628BDFCEA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_5B2947AC0D89DFD7484AC49628BDFCEA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_AD917766C7DB84F53D87C49628BDFC90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5B2947AC0D89DFD7484AC49628BDFCEA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DE851DDC28EE7142BDF0C49628BD2559" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_5B2947AC0D89DFD7484AC49628BDFCEA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_DE851DDC28EE7142BDF0C49628BD2559" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_4DAC1FCB6696F8356783C49628BDFA2B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_4DAC1FCB6696F8356783C49628BDFA2B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D6340DAB382AD801F3A5C49628BD0346_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_4DAC1FCB6696F8356783C49628BDFA2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_D6340DAB382AD801F3A5C49628BD0346_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D6340DAB382AD801F3A5C49628BD0346" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_4DAC1FCB6696F8356783C49628BDFA2B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_D6340DAB382AD801F3A5C49628BD0346" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_858F8EAABC65E4912035C49628BD3945" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_D6340DAB382AD801F3A5C49628BD0346" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_858F8EAABC65E4912035C49628BD3945" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_0899EA88A94388758427C49628BDD6A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0899EA88A94388758427C49628BDD6A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_840EACB283DE0AE1DB6CC49628BD03E7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0899EA88A94388758427C49628BDD6A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_840EACB283DE0AE1DB6CC49628BD03E7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_840EACB283DE0AE1DB6CC49628BD03E7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0899EA88A94388758427C49628BDD6A2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_840EACB283DE0AE1DB6CC49628BD03E7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_TermLoanMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_TermLoanMember_D59F6A3AD73A495B1C9DC49628BED222" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_840EACB283DE0AE1DB6CC49628BD03E7" xlink:to="loc_frt_TermLoanMember_D59F6A3AD73A495B1C9DC49628BED222" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_72C15BFD69D1B4E30CACC49628BEC50B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_72C15BFD69D1B4E30CACC49628BEC50B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_883E0204099FCA935A18C49628BE5670_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_72C15BFD69D1B4E30CACC49628BEC50B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_883E0204099FCA935A18C49628BE5670_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_883E0204099FCA935A18C49628BE5670" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_72C15BFD69D1B4E30CACC49628BEC50B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_883E0204099FCA935A18C49628BE5670" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_6A5DA16B7B4C25E753BAC49628BEC92A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_883E0204099FCA935A18C49628BE5670" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesMember_6A5DA16B7B4C25E753BAC49628BEC92A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B8A09C55EF4562D12E6FC49628BEB363" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_B8A09C55EF4562D12E6FC49628BEB363" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_54FA458A06505C0768F0C49628BE4F21_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_B8A09C55EF4562D12E6FC49628BEB363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_54FA458A06505C0768F0C49628BE4F21_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_54FA458A06505C0768F0C49628BE4F21" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_B8A09C55EF4562D12E6FC49628BEB363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_54FA458A06505C0768F0C49628BE4F21" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_EF6D6318E4C0403F6E10C49628BE1DFF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_54FA458A06505C0768F0C49628BE4F21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_EF6D6318E4C0403F6E10C49628BE1DFF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_16E76EDA3BC106DCE3ABC49628BEED76" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_4B8A018DF91C4BC3B049C49628BDCFA9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_16E76EDA3BC106DCE3ABC49628BEED76" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E93D0212D989D67BB6FEC49628BE48FA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_16E76EDA3BC106DCE3ABC49628BEED76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_E93D0212D989D67BB6FEC49628BE48FA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E93D0212D989D67BB6FEC49628BE48FA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_16E76EDA3BC106DCE3ABC49628BEED76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_E93D0212D989D67BB6FEC49628BE48FA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E3701F9EEE8791F24F6BC49628BE8553" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_E93D0212D989D67BB6FEC49628BE48FA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_E3701F9EEE8791F24F6BC49628BE8553" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_F0AF694B019F65134A04C49628BEAD87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld_F0AF694B019F65134A04C49628BEAD87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_90D4DC138CF6CDA7EC4EC49628BEE56C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_90D4DC138CF6CDA7EC4EC49628BEE56C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_14FF110E85DA80651E69C49628BEA7E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNotesPayable_14FF110E85DA80651E69C49628BEA7E4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_6AB591049799DCE37A24C49628BE0A70" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_6AB591049799DCE37A24C49628BE0A70" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_20A8DE5BAFA1B012AC5EC49628BF907F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_20A8DE5BAFA1B012AC5EC49628BF907F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D48F8C0AF62EA69AA1B5C49628BF45F8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_D48F8C0AF62EA69AA1B5C49628BF45F8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_20FFFEE3FFC1147E495AC49628BFEB89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_20FFFEE3FFC1147E495AC49628BFEB89" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_6EE06A0802800B2BA21BC49628BFAEE5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_5F8FF62BBA01E1AA3E6AC49628BE8311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet_6EE06A0802800B2BA21BC49628BFAEE5" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfCarryingValueAndFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_FD20741BA267E13B84A391B475BE32C7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_DEC9C0A32FB44298A03291B475BDC329" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_FD20741BA267E13B84A391B475BE32C7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_DEC9C0A32FB44298A03291B475BDC329" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_B0223C96885C9F1C6E0991B475BDB48A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_DEC9C0A32FB44298A03291B475BDC329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_B0223C96885C9F1C6E0991B475BDB48A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_B0223C96885C9F1C6E0991B475BDB48A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_B0223C96885C9F1C6E0991B475BDB48A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember_5378DEA10C8AF6F5A91091B475BD45DF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E" xlink:to="loc_frt_MortgagesPayableAndNotesPayableMember_5378DEA10C8AF6F5A91091B475BD45DF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember_758F85545E9315E4E9DE91B475BDE2B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01803C3FAB9387CF822991B475BD3D5E" xlink:to="loc_frt_SeniorNotesAndDebenturesMember_758F85545E9315E4E9DE91B475BDE2B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_2FAE648BB686E0ADBE4191B475BDF391" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_DEC9C0A32FB44298A03291B475BDC329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_2FAE648BB686E0ADBE4191B475BDF391" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_2FAE648BB686E0ADBE4191B475BDF391" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FC6C2C5C68C6C0B2ECF091B475BD3E9C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_2FAE648BB686E0ADBE4191B475BDF391" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_FC6C2C5C68C6C0B2ECF091B475BD3E9C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_FC6C2C5C68C6C0B2ECF091B475BD3E9C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_7B94CA154E4798193F0D91B475BE6DCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_7B94CA154E4798193F0D91B475BE6DCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D5A8A062A6B7EEF7E76791B475BE75BF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_17462966FCD05914432291B475BDFEDA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_D5A8A062A6B7EEF7E76791B475BE75BF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_3478977D63AB2CC6D0A391B475BECA4F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_FD20741BA267E13B84A391B475BE32C7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_3478977D63AB2CC6D0A391B475BECA4F" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsSummaryOfFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_56B64D65DE852EC6409091B476656EC2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_6D9F52A916E8DC9278B991B4765EEFFD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_56B64D65DE852EC6409091B476656EC2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_6D9F52A916E8DC9278B991B4765EEFFD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_1EEB1D813ADB75881DDD91B4765EE5BC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_6D9F52A916E8DC9278B991B4765EEFFD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_1EEB1D813ADB75881DDD91B4765EE5BC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D1AE5499EEE1B5E1FAB291B4765ED46D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_1EEB1D813ADB75881DDD91B4765EE5BC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_D1AE5499EEE1B5E1FAB291B4765ED46D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D1AE5499EEE1B5E1FAB291B4765ED46D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_1EEB1D813ADB75881DDD91B4765EE5BC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_D1AE5499EEE1B5E1FAB291B4765ED46D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E78AAB73685E019868D791B4765EE53B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_D1AE5499EEE1B5E1FAB291B4765ED46D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_E78AAB73685E019868D791B4765EE53B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_28AAC676523925D2DE7C91B4765E787B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_6D9F52A916E8DC9278B991B4765EEFFD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_28AAC676523925D2DE7C91B4765E787B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_8A9D688E7D63EE4CB8B691B476646C6E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_28AAC676523925D2DE7C91B4765E787B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_8A9D688E7D63EE4CB8B691B476646C6E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_8A9D688E7D63EE4CB8B691B476646C6E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_28AAC676523925D2DE7C91B4765E787B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_8A9D688E7D63EE4CB8B691B476646C6E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_7C5235CA9FF93D04CED191B47664465F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_8A9D688E7D63EE4CB8B691B476646C6E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_7C5235CA9FF93D04CED191B47664465F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_CA58D69303ED9858819691B476648196" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_6D9F52A916E8DC9278B991B4765EEFFD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_CA58D69303ED9858819691B476648196" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_CA58D69303ED9858819691B476648196" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_CA58D69303ED9858819691B476648196" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_34296294EBACA5E22EFF91B47664898E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_34296294EBACA5E22EFF91B47664898E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_CCACE39A21DB06C1CEC091B47664C6A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_CCACE39A21DB06C1CEC091B47664C6A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_8885BE467EBDA0F8864E91B476658E03" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_56ADD218206BAA89F02A91B47664AD7F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_8885BE467EBDA0F8864E91B476658E03" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DAFD6B2B9ACE58F74E5391B47665E735" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_56B64D65DE852EC6409091B476656EC2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_DAFD6B2B9ACE58F74E5391B47665E735" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstate" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable_23A4D0E9732234BD7C1791680F5E3A4C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable_23A4D0E9732234BD7C1791680F5E3A4C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_8D77FC70919F67BFF4F391680F60AEAB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable_23A4D0E9732234BD7C1791680F5E3A4C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8D77FC70919F67BFF4F391680F60AEAB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D86BE9B1CA3AC15FD2FA91680F604522_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8D77FC70919F67BFF4F391680F60AEAB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_D86BE9B1CA3AC15FD2FA91680F604522_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D86BE9B1CA3AC15FD2FA91680F604522" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8D77FC70919F67BFF4F391680F60AEAB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_D86BE9B1CA3AC15FD2FA91680F604522" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_AssemblySquareMarketPlaceAssemblyRowMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_AssemblySquareMarketPlaceAssemblyRowMember_64FA381CD6357DDF7A6B91680F60A72C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_D86BE9B1CA3AC15FD2FA91680F604522" xlink:to="loc_frt_AssemblySquareMarketPlaceAssemblyRowMember_64FA381CD6357DDF7A6B91680F60A72C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_593824126CDFF4F04B6791680F605B45" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable_23A4D0E9732234BD7C1791680F5E3A4C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_593824126CDFF4F04B6791680F605B45" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_B1FC45024DA176DCA55291680F600A22_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_593824126CDFF4F04B6791680F605B45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_B1FC45024DA176DCA55291680F600A22_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_B1FC45024DA176DCA55291680F600A22" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_593824126CDFF4F04B6791680F605B45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_B1FC45024DA176DCA55291680F600A22" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_EE0EE3FDB03EA617DEAF91680F61E032" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_B1FC45024DA176DCA55291680F600A22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_EE0EE3FDB03EA617DEAF91680F61E032" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DBC609ED33256CE3577691680F613717" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleTable_23A4D0E9732234BD7C1791680F5E3A4C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DBC609ED33256CE3577691680F613717" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_55F9E5537E81AE523DDA91680F61E0D6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DBC609ED33256CE3577691680F613717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_55F9E5537E81AE523DDA91680F61E0D6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_55F9E5537E81AE523DDA91680F61E0D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_DBC609ED33256CE3577691680F613717" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_55F9E5537E81AE523DDA91680F61E0D6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_25CA79A16A85C4ED8DAD91680F610E1D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_55F9E5537E81AE523DDA91680F61E0D6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_25CA79A16A85C4ED8DAD91680F610E1D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_NumberOfMembersWithPurchaseOptions" xlink:label="loc_frt_NumberOfMembersWithPurchaseOptions_6AF13849B1A63966F3B491680F61D09D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:to="loc_frt_NumberOfMembersWithPurchaseOptions_6AF13849B1A63966F3B491680F61D09D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate_35D39C66DC60F75485E591680F61B1D4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesOfRealEstate_35D39C66DC60F75485E591680F61B1D4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes_974C598C4C0137D20DBB91680F620722" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertiesNetOfApplicableIncomeTaxes_974C598C4C0137D20DBB91680F620722" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_5174A2F696DBA2CF82BE91680F62DB9D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleLineItems_C9C6A3BB28F89CEBB37D91680F61B006" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_5174A2F696DBA2CF82BE91680F62DB9D" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/RealEstateSignificantAcquisitionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_47FCB4369A47455986BBC44FEE6E742E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_47FCB4369A47455986BBC44FEE6E742E" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_964C1FBC0A0C7B8AF86EC44FEE6E34DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_47FCB4369A47455986BBC44FEE6E742E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_964C1FBC0A0C7B8AF86EC44FEE6E34DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_964C1FBC0A0C7B8AF86EC44FEE6E34DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_964C1FBC0A0C7B8AF86EC44FEE6E34DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_HastingsRanchPlazaMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_HastingsRanchPlazaMember_B57E81DDDA3864C67D47C44FEE6EA773" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0" xlink:to="loc_frt_HastingsRanchPlazaMember_B57E81DDDA3864C67D47C44FEE6EA773" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_RiverpointCenterMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_RiverpointCenterMember_9564AD182FDCAD1AD4A0C44FEE6EB8AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_AB8CE7069856C4CF22FEC44FEE6E53E0" xlink:to="loc_frt_RiverpointCenterMember_9564AD182FDCAD1AD4A0C44FEE6EB8AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_97858A08C7B2F934A4EAC44FEE6E2519" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_47FCB4369A47455986BBC44FEE6E742E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_97858A08C7B2F934A4EAC44FEE6E2519" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_97858A08C7B2F934A4EAC44FEE6E2519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_97858A08C7B2F934A4EAC44FEE6E2519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_521E8C7C3E02327DB71DC44FEE6F5E2C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMember_521E8C7C3E02327DB71DC44FEE6F5E2C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_F0AD8ECAACC388970455C44FEE6F4199" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_DE22BF363B5D44F9D756C44FEE6E7B8B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember_F0AD8ECAACC388970455C44FEE6F4199" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_18D8B2E8B05C525CA1E7C44FEE6FE72B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_47FCB4369A47455986BBC44FEE6E742E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_18D8B2E8B05C525CA1E7C44FEE6FE72B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_18D8B2E8B05C525CA1E7C44FEE6FE72B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_18D8B2E8B05C525CA1E7C44FEE6FE72B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_713635C4F6A01B343DCFC44FEE6FD54B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_713635C4F6A01B343DCFC44FEE6FD54B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_LeaseliabilitiesMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_LeaseliabilitiesMember_53FC3A429BEE5AAE3E3EC4D0ECE1E9D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6" xlink:to="loc_frt_LeaseliabilitiesMember_53FC3A429BEE5AAE3E3EC4D0ECE1E9D6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_217AA077404742F0B097C44FEE6F7A0A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_FA2BB5A65E45E24A7F1CC44FEE6F4FB6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_217AA077404742F0B097C44FEE6F7A0A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_BDDC2D24E7A140998D04C44FEE6FCCB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_BDDC2D24E7A140998D04C44FEE6FCCB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_Purchasepriceofrealestateacquisition" xlink:label="loc_frt_Purchasepriceofrealestateacquisition_6A26E99B882D93C8A9E1C452C3466F9B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:to="loc_frt_Purchasepriceofrealestateacquisition_6A26E99B882D93C8A9E1C452C3466F9B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_ED7CF381AAF1A8C6F203C44FEE6F74FF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_ED7CF381AAF1A8C6F203C44FEE6F74FF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_4B78DF5E4646AC200E99C44FEE6F0655" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_C3351E45948978F741A0C44FEE6F6419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAcquired_4B78DF5E4646AC200E99C44FEE6F0655" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlans" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationPlansTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_0141B44CA70FFFBA75D7C45128FA77E2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_0141B44CA70FFFBA75D7C45128FA77E2" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_02C95ADC35C338EC5F07C45128FA02FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_0141B44CA70FFFBA75D7C45128FA77E2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_02C95ADC35C338EC5F07C45128FA02FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B46223059715674DEA0FC45128FACF25_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_02C95ADC35C338EC5F07C45128FA02FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_B46223059715674DEA0FC45128FACF25_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B46223059715674DEA0FC45128FACF25" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_02C95ADC35C338EC5F07C45128FA02FC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_B46223059715674DEA0FC45128FACF25" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember_3029D0C597BBC4A544DAC45128FA7A38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_B46223059715674DEA0FC45128FACF25" xlink:to="loc_frt_AtMarketEquityProgramMember_3029D0C597BBC4A544DAC45128FA7A38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_AEE513977217088D4F28C45128FA94D5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_0141B44CA70FFFBA75D7C45128FA77E2" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_AEE513977217088D4F28C45128FA94D5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_AEE513977217088D4F28C45128FA94D5" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeAxis_AEE513977217088D4F28C45128FA94D5" xlink:to="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_CommissionsMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_CommissionsMember_D876E19933AEB28DF8A2C45128FB9FF7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA" xlink:to="loc_frt_CommissionsMember_D876E19933AEB28DF8A2C45128FB9FF7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember_35090865E2EF90316B5EC45128FBDDC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_StockIssuanceCostsByTypeDomain_FB9CEFF7FC940785CC70C45128FB10CA" xlink:to="loc_frt_OtherOfferingCostsMember_35090865E2EF90316B5EC45128FBDDC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare" xlink:label="loc_frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare_02EF62D50ACC41CD5BA1C45128FB4200" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_frt_AggregateOfferingPriceOfCommonShare_02EF62D50ACC41CD5BA1C45128FB4200" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_CD2F4FBFB7C0951A2271C45128FB8F52" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_CD2F4FBFB7C0951A2271C45128FB8F52" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare" xlink:label="loc_frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare_A548AE48A851990B5C06C45128FBBDF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_frt_WeightedAveragePricePerCommonShare_A548AE48A851990B5C06C45128FBBDF5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_BED31956D0FF73BEE883C45128FBBC3D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_BED31956D0FF73BEE883C45128FBBC3D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_A5F50CD3F1713EB376C2C45128FB55F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_A5F50CD3F1713EB376C2C45128FB55F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue" xlink:label="loc_frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue_04629A9AF0354257E6F1C45128FB0E61" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_E797EC58DD5225D18E25C45128FB48D0" xlink:to="loc_frt_RemainingCapacityToIssue_04629A9AF0354257E6F1C45128FB0E61" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_DividendsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_DividendsTable" xlink:label="loc_frt_DividendsTable_D0DF2DFE5EBC5DB9893F3742958DD3DB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_frt_DividendsTable_D0DF2DFE5EBC5DB9893F3742958DD3DB" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_C7634C4130D25D01857271FD12546997" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsTable_D0DF2DFE5EBC5DB9893F3742958DD3DB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_C7634C4130D25D01857271FD12546997" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_E5AEE0D0FDDE5F3CA62CBC14E5B8FAB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_C7634C4130D25D01857271FD12546997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_EFAA20B250E01DCD8B4A4F55D5EB6C9F_E5AEE0D0FDDE5F3CA62CBC14E5B8FAB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_ACEB1362D58F58A6A1CEC970307F97AC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_C7634C4130D25D01857271FD12546997" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ACEB1362D58F58A6A1CEC970307F97AC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_DA0E9A233F5358C58E6C4DBB817AA355" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ACEB1362D58F58A6A1CEC970307F97AC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_DA0E9A233F5358C58E6C4DBB817AA355" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="frt-20170331.xsd#frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember" xlink:label="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_C651C354EB90510BABEF968A0CEEBE6E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ACEB1362D58F58A6A1CEC970307F97AC" xlink:to="loc_frt_A5417Series1CumulativeConvertiblePreferredMember_C651C354EB90510BABEF968A0CEEBE6E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_D0C1550AA92353D384AB16F75690BF87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_D0C1550AA92353D384AB16F75690BF87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FF9755A5682750A2853B3E11C3EB8161" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_FF9755A5682750A2853B3E11C3EB8161" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_09383AB19A495296ADDDE082C09446C2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_09383AB19A495296ADDDE082C09446C2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_8FA9D82F19B1575BB8DF1E2AC236AEF3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_8FA9D82F19B1575BB8DF1E2AC236AEF3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1B64AABADD3550DE9F747BFDBA287C3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_frt_DividendsLineItems_073B62310AEB571D88529ECA9F2F2966" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_1B64AABADD3550DE9F747BFDBA287C3C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SubsequentEvents" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlowsSupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicy" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentlyAdoptedAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_EC7D7FC534C5CA667BAAC49628E27477" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_4AB83E13FA7C52EC93D6C49628E1EF03" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_EC7D7FC534C5CA667BAAC49628E27477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_4AB83E13FA7C52EC93D6C49628E1EF03" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F2E33B0D92BBCA622287C49628E1A2ED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_4AB83E13FA7C52EC93D6C49628E1EF03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F2E33B0D92BBCA622287C49628E1A2ED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F2E33B0D92BBCA622287C49628E1A2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F2E33B0D92BBCA622287C49628E1A2ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_1382B2C84014AC7B1171C49628E202CC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_1382B2C84014AC7B1171C49628E202CC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_34E5FB98A0CDB13FADB9C49628E2B1FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3D7DAFE1FEC51BDF29E1C49628E1ACA6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_34E5FB98A0CDB13FADB9C49628E2B1FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_2C457FFA90420818CA03C49628E2C5FE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_EC7D7FC534C5CA667BAAC49628E27477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_2C457FFA90420818CA03C49628E2C5FE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1_10E3F0D68E056A890A5DC49628E22AAE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_EC7D7FC534C5CA667BAAC49628E27477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOnRetainedEarningsNetOfTax1_10E3F0D68E056A890A5DC49628E22AAE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_A2248B523E6FCFC8731EC49628E22948" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_EC7D7FC534C5CA667BAAC49628E27477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_A2248B523E6FCFC8731EC49628E22948" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.federalrealty.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</link:linkbase>
