<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019cd803-3dae-7f9c-a3db-859f4909f796,g:feefab61-91c5-4d1f-bf89-14a7732e6a28-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOME" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOME"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFINCOME" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7f6a-9c52-f90223cf4237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7f6a-9c52-f90223cf4237" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7f6a-9c52-f90223cf4237" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-3f84-7ac5-b400-1a8ec318efc6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7553-96de-4d936c247d6d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7553-96de-4d936c247d6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-760c-b927-aa50a8a5a18b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-760c-b927-aa50a8a5a18b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember_019cd803-3f84-7cce-aa9d-f8bdb5d6f2ed" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember_019cd803-3f84-7cce-aa9d-f8bdb5d6f2ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-7624-9ed6-23ffa369df18" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-7624-9ed6-23ffa369df18" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember_019cd803-3f84-7784-ad43-d8b112a51fbb" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a12-ba58-97d7950c7c19" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember_019cd803-3f84-7784-ad43-d8b112a51fbb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019cd803-3f84-7aef-ba47-081b6f8cbae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019cd803-3f84-7aef-ba47-081b6f8cbae6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices_019cd803-3f84-7e2b-b58e-8250145238e1" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices_019cd803-3f84-7e2b-b58e-8250145238e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-3f84-74ff-a41c-de9d62ea973e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-3f84-74ff-a41c-de9d62ea973e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019cd803-3f84-76b1-9d2d-acb31821f148" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019cd803-3f84-76b1-9d2d-acb31821f148" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-3f84-7e82-be08-beda2bd99151" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-3f84-7e82-be08-beda2bd99151" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019cd803-3f84-7e90-895a-195436c57d8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7a98-910c-67c42d79c6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019cd803-3f84-7e90-895a-195436c57d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019cd803-3f84-7b65-88ee-aa39ea5170ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019cd803-3f84-7b65-88ee-aa39ea5170ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019cd803-3f84-7061-9c7a-d8ee5695621f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019cd803-3f84-7061-9c7a-d8ee5695621f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment_019cd803-3f84-7611-83bb-070b29e630c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment_019cd803-3f84-7611-83bb-070b29e630c1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019cd803-3f84-79d1-a1c8-479cb73c9d23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019cd803-3f84-79d1-a1c8-479cb73c9d23" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019cd803-3f84-7196-a84e-7d8f54c073c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019cd803-3f84-7196-a84e-7d8f54c073c0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019cd803-3f84-74eb-93c4-e1bae891c00c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019cd803-3f84-74eb-93c4-e1bae891c00c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019cd803-3f84-76ed-a4b1-deb8cd6a1105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019cd803-3f84-76ed-a4b1-deb8cd6a1105" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019cd803-3f84-7fb9-9176-7ee322c67cf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019cd803-3f84-7fb9-9176-7ee322c67cf1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019cd803-3f84-70c8-8e6a-d6f905e4b221" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019cd803-3f84-79ad-a731-70ae9fd6b3fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019cd803-3f84-70c8-8e6a-d6f905e4b221" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-73a2-8a0f-fa7eea575564" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-73a2-8a0f-fa7eea575564" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree_019cd803-3f84-7e4c-8bf1-c7fd16669122" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree_019cd803-3f84-7e4c-8bf1-c7fd16669122" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-3f84-7ce3-b973-ab03384ced04" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-3f84-7ce3-b973-ab03384ced04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019cd803-3f84-73b8-961b-4466647c5a85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019cd803-3f84-73b8-961b-4466647c5a85" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-3f84-7f4e-8e32-8315d468ecf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-3f84-7f4e-8e32-8315d468ecf1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-7d98-96ef-33ea2bfbc578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-7d98-96ef-33ea2bfbc578" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-3f84-70a6-88de-6e7a0d0fece9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-3f84-70a6-88de-6e7a0d0fece9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019cd803-3f84-77cc-bf85-f47ce0215332" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-79a8-be46-4349fb4b2f7b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019cd803-3f84-77cc-bf85-f47ce0215332" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7c2c-9807-d7ef02f8051e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019cd803-3f84-77cc-bf85-f47ce0215332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7c2c-9807-d7ef02f8051e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019cd803-3f84-7ec5-a13c-caa4603a8e34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7c2c-9807-d7ef02f8051e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019cd803-3f84-7ec5-a13c-caa4603a8e34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019cd803-3f84-7e34-ae8c-626f7f3a0a92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-3f84-7c2c-9807-d7ef02f8051e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019cd803-3f84-7e34-ae8c-626f7f3a0a92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-3f84-72ad-8290-7287d7f56a11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019cd803-3f84-77cc-bf85-f47ce0215332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-3f84-72ad-8290-7287d7f56a11" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019cd803-3f84-7db4-b04d-798150accc21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-3f84-72ad-8290-7287d7f56a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019cd803-3f84-7db4-b04d-798150accc21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019cd803-3f84-7086-9cef-c6957417ed61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-3f84-72ad-8290-7287d7f56a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019cd803-3f84-7086-9cef-c6957417ed61" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-70a4-a6ef-7c548ed2f149" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7878-bf22-d1a3cf7ab3ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-70a4-a6ef-7c548ed2f149" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7878-bf22-d1a3cf7ab3ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019cd803-3f84-7878-bf22-d1a3cf7ab3ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7666-9fcd-831c1f4ac2c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019cd803-3f84-7d64-8266-ef2b6557691b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019cd803-3f84-7d64-8266-ef2b6557691b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019cd803-3f84-7710-9b1c-fbb56c92e1b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockIncludingAdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019cd803-3f84-7710-9b1c-fbb56c92e1b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019cd803-3f84-7388-b925-1de1b163c155" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019cd803-3f84-7388-b925-1de1b163c155" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019cd803-3f84-7f2f-9860-a1a0e1c50ed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019cd803-3f84-7f2f-9860-a1a0e1c50ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019cd803-3f84-7ac3-81b6-ab2540ccc7bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019cd803-3f84-7ac3-81b6-ab2540ccc7bb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019cd803-3f84-7930-a13f-1e01797573bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019cd803-3f84-7930-a13f-1e01797573bb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019cd803-3f84-7961-ac03-223111265835" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019cd803-3f84-73bd-9cbb-276b30fa3409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019cd803-3f84-7961-ac03-223111265835" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019cd803-3f84-70a4-a6ef-7c548ed2f149" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-7324-8ac3-6b764b6166dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-7324-8ac3-6b764b6166dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-3f84-7ff7-86ac-22a6c088944b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-3f84-7ff7-86ac-22a6c088944b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019cd803-3f84-77f2-a4f1-c36f39356862" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019cd803-3f84-77f2-a4f1-c36f39356862" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NoncontrollingInterestPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingImpactToEquity_019cd803-3f84-73b5-b273-17962f64626b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NoncontrollingInterestPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingImpactToEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NoncontrollingInterestPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingImpactToEquity_019cd803-3f84-73b5-b273-17962f64626b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019cd803-3f84-7491-bd01-13a21bcabe70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019cd803-3f84-7491-bd01-13a21bcabe70" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedPaymentArrangementsRestrictedStockAwardsAndOtherAfterForfeiture_019cd803-3f84-7dea-885a-d617622c1e06" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedPaymentArrangementsRestrictedStockAwardsAndOtherAfterForfeiture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_vtr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedPaymentArrangementsRestrictedStockAwardsAndOtherAfterForfeiture_019cd803-3f84-7dea-885a-d617622c1e06" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRelatedToRedeemableOperatingPartnerUnitholderInterestsToRecordAtFairValue_019cd803-3f84-71bb-abf1-629b21b036e5" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRelatedToRedeemableOperatingPartnerUnitholderInterestsToRecordAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalRelatedToRedeemableOperatingPartnerUnitholderInterestsToRecordAtFairValue_019cd803-3f84-71bb-abf1-629b21b036e5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AdjustmentsToEquityRedemptionOfLimitedPartnershipUnits_019cd803-3f84-799c-a65c-cf33b06ba352" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AdjustmentsToEquityRedemptionOfLimitedPartnershipUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019cd803-3f84-76d1-8b4d-2b19b8afc1dd" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AdjustmentsToEquityRedemptionOfLimitedPartnershipUnits_019cd803-3f84-799c-a65c-cf33b06ba352" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-3f84-789c-818d-bebbdf53f6ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7f28-9b7a-983b03a81f48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-73df-80cb-ddc09709c2a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7f28-9b7a-983b03a81f48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-73df-80cb-ddc09709c2a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-73df-80cb-ddc09709c2a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7919-8e4d-cc5eb26fb7c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7b12-b1c7-0ca3c76ad9bd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7919-8e4d-cc5eb26fb7c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-3f84-75f6-9c0a-60a65c4f47a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7919-8e4d-cc5eb26fb7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-3f84-75f6-9c0a-60a65c4f47a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-7800-bd4a-6a69b01da76e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7919-8e4d-cc5eb26fb7c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-7800-bd4a-6a69b01da76e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWhollyOwnedAndUnconsolidated_019cd803-3f84-7e8b-a108-748bd03a9090" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWhollyOwnedAndUnconsolidated"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7f28-9b7a-983b03a81f48" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWhollyOwnedAndUnconsolidated_019cd803-3f84-7e8b-a108-748bd03a9090" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019cd803-3f84-7c66-8850-11d079bce84e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7f28-9b7a-983b03a81f48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019cd803-3f84-7c66-8850-11d079bce84e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-3f84-7e82-8091-11ea4b2e76ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7f28-9b7a-983b03a81f48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-3f84-7e82-8091-11ea4b2e76ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSScheduleofReportableBusinessSegmentsandNonSegmentAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSScheduleofReportableBusinessSegmentsandNonSegmentAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DESCRIPTIONOFBUSINESSScheduleofReportableBusinessSegmentsandNonSegmentAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-720d-a764-4c1225abf54d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-720d-a764-4c1225abf54d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-720d-a764-4c1225abf54d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e94-a1e1-17b998480634" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7a14-a4c2-7e6b2e0ac113" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e94-a1e1-17b998480634" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-3f84-796a-b5b4-09cb5640c7f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e94-a1e1-17b998480634" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-3f84-796a-b5b4-09cb5640c7f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-74c2-9318-9d1eeb77a0ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e94-a1e1-17b998480634" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-74c2-9318-9d1eeb77a0ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-720d-a764-4c1225abf54d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7f58-9eb2-c067d3808483" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7767-9414-99d053f4d56f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7f58-9eb2-c067d3808483" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-7815-a7b1-92fd33709b30" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7f58-9eb2-c067d3808483" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-7815-a7b1-92fd33709b30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-78d1-811e-6ab3144604e3" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7f58-9eb2-c067d3808483" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-78d1-811e-6ab3144604e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7366-b36e-5e0846f56728" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7f58-9eb2-c067d3808483" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7366-b36e-5e0846f56728" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019cd803-3f84-720d-a764-4c1225abf54d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019cd803-3f84-728f-9b00-cd99fa0b5779" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorsHousingCommunitiesManagedbyIndependentOperatorsMember_019cd803-3f84-78ef-bd80-6d0c200d7993" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorsHousingCommunitiesManagedbyIndependentOperatorsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorsHousingCommunitiesManagedbyIndependentOperatorsMember_019cd803-3f84-78ef-bd80-6d0c200d7993" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-72fa-8943-b27374a4709c" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-3f84-72fa-8943-b27374a4709c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7245-a9dc-7f35815dcf2d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-3f84-7245-a9dc-7f35815dcf2d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-7655-9a88-2704a9193d26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7601-97bd-9a5174a230bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-3f84-7655-9a88-2704a9193d26" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncome_019cd803-3f84-7751-8f1b-35ed0ecba3b8" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NetOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncome_019cd803-3f84-7751-8f1b-35ed0ecba3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncomePercent_019cd803-3f84-7a13-b3d7-11eb49b18ae0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NetOperatingIncomePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncomePercent_019cd803-3f84-7a13-b3d7-11eb49b18ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-3f84-7070-96c8-d21e23a92120" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-3f84-7070-96c8-d21e23a92120" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019cd803-3f84-79ba-ac9f-c6d0981bcc65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019cd803-3f84-74c3-9dbc-ed813f04dea7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019cd803-3f84-79ba-ac9f-c6d0981bcc65" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/ACCOUNTINGPOLICIESScheduleofVIEsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#ACCOUNTINGPOLICIESScheduleofVIEsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/ACCOUNTINGPOLICIESScheduleofVIEsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7a46-a354-26761fe03f3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019cd803-3f84-7383-9e04-1351c562c041" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7a46-a354-26761fe03f3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019cd803-3f84-7383-9e04-1351c562c041" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019cd803-3f84-7383-9e04-1351c562c041" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7133-92ab-052d399b6596" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019cd803-3f84-71ad-86cd-edc26439cd55" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7133-92ab-052d399b6596" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019cd803-3f84-71b4-829d-f7bac83911df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019cd803-3f84-7133-92ab-052d399b6596" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019cd803-3f84-71b4-829d-f7bac83911df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_019cd803-3f84-7383-9e04-1351c562c041" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-72b7-bd17-7e680548a784" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-3f84-7bd9-8c87-a822fc1af9ec" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-72b7-bd17-7e680548a784" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NhppmblpMember_019cd803-3f84-7c2f-90c8-825eb091d2e3" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NhppmblpMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-72b7-bd17-7e680548a784" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NhppmblpMember_019cd803-3f84-7c2f-90c8-825eb091d2e3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FondsImmobilierGroupeMauriceSECMember_019cd803-3f84-7f5b-9e1a-c4fb0d6601a1" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FondsImmobilierGroupeMauriceSECMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-72b7-bd17-7e680548a784" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FondsImmobilierGroupeMauriceSECMember_019cd803-3f84-7f5b-9e1a-c4fb0d6601a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OtherIdentifiedVIEsMember_019cd803-3f84-7af4-aa56-993623b17aa4" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OtherIdentifiedVIEsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-3f84-72b7-bd17-7e680548a784" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OtherIdentifiedVIEsMember_019cd803-3f84-7af4-aa56-993623b17aa4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019cd803-3f84-7841-a1f5-b5c18cfccc10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7a46-a354-26761fe03f3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019cd803-3f84-7841-a1f5-b5c18cfccc10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019cd803-3f84-7ba5-a581-988b94abc88d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7a46-a354-26761fe03f3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019cd803-3f84-7ba5-a581-988b94abc88d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONCENTRATIONOFCREDITRISKTripleNetLeasedPropertiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#CONCENTRATIONOFCREDITRISKTripleNetLeasedPropertiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/CONCENTRATIONOFCREDITRISKTripleNetLeasedPropertiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019cd803-3f84-71ec-a962-f50a064071bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019cd803-3f84-7c64-921d-c712018ebc1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019cd803-3f84-71ec-a962-f50a064071bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019cd803-3f84-7c64-921d-c712018ebc1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019cd803-3f84-7c64-921d-c712018ebc1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-746d-a0fa-cd302b2156f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e9c-b3d9-dd6f0461c36c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-746d-a0fa-cd302b2156f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_019cd803-3f84-7221-ae00-c0cea297e96d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-746d-a0fa-cd302b2156f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember_019cd803-3f84-7221-ae00-c0cea297e96d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019cd803-3f84-7c64-921d-c712018ebc1a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-7aaf-8ebf-b926f066f080" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_019cd803-3f84-78ed-809b-ce19798ef29a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-7aaf-8ebf-b926f066f080" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_019cd803-3f84-7560-904e-2158463197d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-7aaf-8ebf-b926f066f080" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueNetMember_019cd803-3f84-7560-904e-2158463197d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncomeMember_019cd803-3f84-7fcf-8390-e57a140daacb" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NetOperatingIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_019cd803-3f84-7aaf-8ebf-b926f066f080" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncomeMember_019cd803-3f84-7fcf-8390-e57a140daacb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_019cd803-3f84-7c64-921d-c712018ebc1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-782f-9696-d619b0373e23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-3f84-7d76-a26f-4d305a7ee36a" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-782f-9696-d619b0373e23" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ArdentMember_019cd803-3f84-7bae-bac3-d148271984fb" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ArdentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-782f-9696-d619b0373e23" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ArdentMember_019cd803-3f84-7bae-bac3-d148271984fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_KindredMember_019cd803-3f84-7764-86f3-b5174ab03496" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_KindredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-3f84-782f-9696-d619b0373e23" xlink:to="loc_vtr_KindredMember_019cd803-3f84-7764-86f3-b5174ab03496" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_019cd803-3f84-7bd0-9b20-ed11cd8095f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_019cd803-3f84-71ec-a962-f50a064071bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_019cd803-3f84-7bd0-9b20-ed11cd8095f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/ACQUISITIONSOFREALESTATEPROPERTYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#ACQUISITIONSOFREALESTATEPROPERTYNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/ACQUISITIONSOFREALESTATEPROPERTYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7744-8035-d0cd259abd3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7744-8035-d0cd259abd3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-3f84-78c5-b4a3-a0e292657d80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-3f84-7e79-b6d2-191919e4f3d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-3f84-78c5-b4a3-a0e292657d80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember_019cd803-3f84-7211-ada6-ceb22d95e556" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-3f84-78c5-b4a3-a0e292657d80" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember_019cd803-3f84-7211-ada6-ceb22d95e556" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-78cb-b5e2-d3edc0734cea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-3f84-7087-80a0-ed6026bdba51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-78cb-b5e2-d3edc0734cea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-762d-a056-bfe98ddc7d82" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-3f84-78cb-b5e2-d3edc0734cea" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-3f84-762d-a056-bfe98ddc7d82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7248-b0dd-c94fc9f2146e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-3f84-7c66-826e-e586581a572e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7248-b0dd-c94fc9f2146e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019cd803-3f84-7f2e-a8df-f33fdd07ddcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-3f84-7248-b0dd-c94fc9f2146e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019cd803-3f84-7f2e-a8df-f33fdd07ddcb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019dbb3c-c4ce-7d4c-913c-e5ff141cc932" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019dbb3c-c4ce-7a90-a1f9-916c203411b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019dbb3c-c4ce-7d4c-913c-e5ff141cc932" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ControllingInterestMember_019dbb4d-8c2d-7b42-939b-acea3f9deae7" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ControllingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019dbb3c-c4ce-7d4c-913c-e5ff141cc932" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ControllingInterestMember_019dbb4d-8c2d-7b42-939b-acea3f9deae7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-3f84-7df7-b19c-91dd138050d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019dbb46-d40f-7099-9553-e980da06c3b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019dbb46-d40f-7512-b0be-0404119db17f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019dbb46-d40f-7099-9553-e980da06c3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SubsidiariesMember_019dbab1-3a03-759b-b941-6ae4b6009414" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_SubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019dbb46-d40f-7099-9553-e980da06c3b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_SubsidiariesMember_019dbab1-3a03-759b-b941-6ae4b6009414" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019cd803-3f84-7a77-ba41-7be7d83617a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7744-8035-d0cd259abd3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019cd803-3f84-7a77-ba41-7be7d83617a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019cd803-3f84-7f0c-bebf-469f125f3d92" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7744-8035-d0cd259abd3a" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019cd803-3f84-7f0c-bebf-469f125f3d92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019dbab1-ce11-7b14-a837-1ca9e76b0483" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-3f84-7744-8035-d0cd259abd3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019dbab1-ce11-7b14-a837-1ca9e76b0483" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7dd9-a98e-f234dd6ebadf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7dd9-a98e-f234dd6ebadf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7dd9-a98e-f234dd6ebadf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7c99-8ffb-ed3d5d36fb41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7431-814c-c7b241367824" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7c99-8ffb-ed3d5d36fb41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DispositionsMember_019cd803-402d-7434-9b52-acd2534d820d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DispositionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7c99-8ffb-ed3d5d36fb41" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DispositionsMember_019cd803-402d-7434-9b52-acd2534d820d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7dd9-a98e-f234dd6ebadf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7843-af90-e34a0d7bc10c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-7256-8ac0-ccbf3e7e2ad7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7843-af90-e34a0d7bc10c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402d-776b-aade-6866867fb468" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7843-af90-e34a0d7bc10c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402d-776b-aade-6866867fb468" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402d-783c-a357-61e52634a6c0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7843-af90-e34a0d7bc10c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402d-783c-a357-61e52634a6c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-7f5e-89a5-cf259f5970aa" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7843-af90-e34a0d7bc10c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-7f5e-89a5-cf259f5970aa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7dd9-a98e-f234dd6ebadf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_019cd803-402d-7fdc-81c3-61d3401e65cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_019cd803-402d-722a-ace9-c35bc3b41ee5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_019cd803-402d-7fdc-81c3-61d3401e65cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DepreciationandamortizationMember_019cd803-402d-7d57-9855-daad713989c3" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DepreciationandamortizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_019cd803-402d-7fdc-81c3-61d3401e65cf" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DepreciationandamortizationMember_019cd803-402d-7d57-9855-daad713989c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-402d-72d8-9bd9-b249af7209b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-402d-72d8-9bd9-b249af7209b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019cd803-402d-74dc-a27b-7fff32299611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019cd803-402d-74dc-a27b-7fff32299611" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-402d-73d4-9105-90bc5ee434e1" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:to="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-402d-73d4-9105-90bc5ee434e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_019cd803-402d-7bb9-92d3-490b72fc5aa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7d93-803c-aeacd98aebc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_019cd803-402d-7bb9-92d3-490b72fc5aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSRealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSRealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/DISPOSITIONSANDIMPAIRMENTSRealEstateAssetsHeldForSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e0c-a252-a5f776683bef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7bfb-9126-b283f78227b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e0c-a252-a5f776683bef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7bfb-9126-b283f78227b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7bfb-9126-b283f78227b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019cd803-402d-7e3b-9d15-e91fbd32f54d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019cd803-402d-7143-885f-a94bfeb4a3db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019cd803-402d-7e3b-9d15-e91fbd32f54d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019cd803-402d-72a0-93d5-22fe1f32940e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019cd803-402d-7e3b-9d15-e91fbd32f54d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019cd803-402d-72a0-93d5-22fe1f32940e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019cd803-402d-7bfb-9126-b283f78227b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7bb7-87e7-d2e907a969d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402d-706d-aa88-cb403e8221c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7bb7-87e7-d2e907a969d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402d-7efb-b30e-976557df5c52" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7bb7-87e7-d2e907a969d8" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402d-7efb-b30e-976557df5c52" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402d-7113-a6b2-3c44131c71d7" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7bb7-87e7-d2e907a969d8" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402d-7113-a6b2-3c44131c71d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-7003-a978-661d9fa1924f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402d-7bb7-87e7-d2e907a969d8" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-7003-a978-661d9fa1924f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberOfPropertiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale_019cd803-402d-722d-8c13-3704fb70d3f9" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberOfPropertiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e0c-a252-a5f776683bef" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberOfPropertiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale_019cd803-402d-722d-8c13-3704fb70d3f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019cd803-402d-728f-94f2-e1e3b118d8e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e0c-a252-a5f776683bef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019cd803-402d-728f-94f2-e1e3b118d8e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019cd803-402d-78f7-ad42-7cbf4c4e28ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e0c-a252-a5f776683bef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019cd803-402d-78f7-ad42-7cbf4c4e28ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/LOANSRECEIVABLEANDINVESTMENTSNETSummaryofNetLoansReceivableandInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#LOANSRECEIVABLEANDINVESTMENTSNETSummaryofNetLoansReceivableandInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/LOANSRECEIVABLEANDINVESTMENTSNETSummaryofNetLoansReceivableandInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019cd803-402d-7230-b216-198d8eaa05a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019cd803-402d-7230-b216-198d8eaa05a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019cd803-402d-7230-b216-198d8eaa05a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7593-9e4f-750fe9f8b26b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d93-8d70-2ad57862dd4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7593-9e4f-750fe9f8b26b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansReceivableAndInvestmentsMember_019cd803-402d-7adb-a258-3ee0ca05d3a9" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansReceivableAndInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7593-9e4f-750fe9f8b26b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansReceivableAndInvestmentsMember_019cd803-402d-7adb-a258-3ee0ca05d3a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019cd803-402d-7230-b216-198d8eaa05a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7eaa-b134-acd28295b2f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-74fe-92b6-54ddfe29bab1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7eaa-b134-acd28295b2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember_019cd803-402d-716a-bfdc-9f0a47831ef1" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7eaa-b134-acd28295b2f6" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember_019cd803-402d-716a-bfdc-9f0a47831ef1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7c0f-a733-acdd74217687" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7c0f-a733-acdd74217687" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue_019cd803-402d-749a-8aef-26e19070521f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue_019cd803-402d-749a-8aef-26e19070521f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019cd803-402d-7410-bde3-30a31a9dc8da" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019cd803-402d-7410-bde3-30a31a9dc8da" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAllowanceForCreditLoss_019cd803-402d-79a9-a362-91f0ea73df28" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAllowanceForCreditLoss_019cd803-402d-79a9-a362-91f0ea73df28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecurities_019cd803-402d-70a8-9937-30e9e47cf723" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecurities_019cd803-402d-70a8-9937-30e9e47cf723" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue_019cd803-402d-7df2-a9f7-c42f39321a11" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue_019cd803-402d-7df2-a9f7-c42f39321a11" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7563-96ce-d1f73ed083f0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredNotesAndLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7563-96ce-d1f73ed083f0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable_019cd803-402d-77c6-96d3-459735c24100" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019cd803-402d-7a1b-b6b3-fad3b7715f1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseLeaseReceivable_019cd803-402d-77c6-96d3-459735c24100" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/INVESTMENTSINUNCONSOLIDATEDENTITIESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#INVESTMENTSINUNCONSOLIDATEDENTITIESDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/INVESTMENTSINUNCONSOLIDATEDENTITIESDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019cd803-402d-7942-bdd2-f526e317637a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019cd803-402d-73b9-8f61-edc9a2f47757" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019cd803-402d-7942-bdd2-f526e317637a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-78ed-b32e-740beb4e0ff1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019cd803-402d-7942-bdd2-f526e317637a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402d-78ed-b32e-740beb4e0ff1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019cd803-402d-7f3e-b5f5-575ddd8c06f8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TheFundMember_019cd803-402d-7726-994e-a24d0188af0b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TheFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TheFundMember_019cd803-402d-7726-994e-a24d0188af0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VTRAZJVMember_019cd803-402d-7d61-adba-b152662caf14" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VTRAZJVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VTRAZJVMember_019cd803-402d-7d61-adba-b152662caf14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_RIJVMember_019cd803-402d-7331-acac-d8595247edc9" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_RIJVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_RIJVMember_019cd803-402d-7331-acac-d8595247edc9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VentasInvestmentManagementPlatformVIMMember_019cd803-402d-798b-8ea4-cdccd6fd7614" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VentasInvestmentManagementPlatformVIMMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VentasInvestmentManagementPlatformVIMMember_019cd803-402d-798b-8ea4-cdccd6fd7614" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtriumHealthAndWakeForestJointVentureMember_019cd803-402d-7651-866c-5abfb55d4e57" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtriumHealthAndWakeForestJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtriumHealthAndWakeForestJointVentureMember_019cd803-402d-7651-866c-5abfb55d4e57" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OtherEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019cd803-402d-73ee-83eb-458214f5f957" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OtherEquityMethodInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OtherEquityMethodInvestmentsMember_019cd803-402d-73ee-83eb-458214f5f957" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtriaMember_019cd803-402d-7aa2-8c8d-ad368073c32c" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtriaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtriaMember_019cd803-402d-7aa2-8c8d-ad368073c32c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ArdentMember_019cd803-402d-7310-a0db-12c4a33de18f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ArdentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7552-8a46-a3a3aeb61dfb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ArdentMember_019cd803-402d-7310-a0db-12c4a33de18f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-77c5-b962-0d0f9be83ccf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402d-79db-b12f-99413baf4caf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-77c5-b962-0d0f9be83ccf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019cd803-402d-7dfe-a6a7-d8c872bcdb1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-77c5-b962-0d0f9be83ccf" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019cd803-402d-7dfe-a6a7-d8c872bcdb1e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019cd803-402d-7755-900e-64b999fccfe7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402d-77c5-b962-0d0f9be83ccf" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019cd803-402d-7755-900e-64b999fccfe7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402d-7bcf-b167-6435ba233974" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402d-7e70-8b14-193ac4776f8d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402d-7bcf-b167-6435ba233974" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_019cd803-402d-7728-903a-9ba610ae25dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402d-7bcf-b167-6435ba233974" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_019cd803-402d-7728-903a-9ba610ae25dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019cd803-402d-7178-8892-4fbdbc50d0ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f6d-8d50-dd0ea05114b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019cd803-402d-7178-8892-4fbdbc50d0ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TheFundMember_019cd803-402d-795b-803d-77149fab0152" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TheFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019cd803-402d-7178-8892-4fbdbc50d0ab" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TheFundMember_019cd803-402d-795b-803d-77149fab0152" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-402d-7c23-9583-18802d816153" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionAxis_019cd803-402d-7a5e-b310-01c803f1f957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-402d-7c23-9583-18802d816153" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember_019cd803-402d-78bc-8c41-44c1d23b0f3f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionDomain_019cd803-402d-7c23-9583-18802d816153" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunityMember_019cd803-402d-78bc-8c41-44c1d23b0f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d69-a986-9295c799b262" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019cd803-402d-7d7f-adf7-ccbf34201793" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d69-a986-9295c799b262" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember_019cd803-402d-7043-a520-a1a5fc8c2d9b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d69-a986-9295c799b262" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember_019cd803-402d-7043-a520-a1a5fc8c2d9b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-78ff-9131-00cf2772511d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7ab8-b0cf-26d66a5b0e88" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-78ff-9131-00cf2772511d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VentasFundMember_019cd803-402d-70d1-8ba6-4bf5479e44d7" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VentasFundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-78ff-9131-00cf2772511d" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VentasFundMember_019cd803-402d-70d1-8ba6-4bf5479e44d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_PensionFundJointVentureMember_019cd803-402d-730c-bcda-12f90854b7c0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_PensionFundJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-78ff-9131-00cf2772511d" xlink:to="loc_vtr_PensionFundJointVentureMember_019cd803-402d-730c-bcda-12f90854b7c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019cd803-402d-73c2-8930-4654a0c1717a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbac5-ac47-75e8-8cf6-2192349fb8e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbac5-ac47-739c-a25c-86cbab67ef53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbac5-ac47-75e8-8cf6-2192349fb8e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019dbac5-bd3a-74f4-8267-234dd8a9d9b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbac5-ac47-75e8-8cf6-2192349fb8e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019dbac5-bd3a-74f4-8267-234dd8a9d9b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures_019cd803-402d-7745-82e0-15513bcbf8f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsUnconsolidatedRealEstateAndOtherJointVentures_019cd803-402d-7745-82e0-15513bcbf8f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019cd803-402d-718e-9baf-7ac1353dd7b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019cd803-402d-718e-9baf-7ac1353dd7b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageThreshold_019cd803-402d-7344-a236-5ec612ead130" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageThreshold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageThreshold_019cd803-402d-7344-a236-5ec612ead130" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019cd803-402d-73c2-a043-321f89c24119" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_019cd803-402d-73c2-a043-321f89c24119" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019cd803-402d-788f-891c-2685c3736d9a" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019cd803-402d-788f-891c-2685c3736d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-402d-71a1-b9a0-9f912cc714b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019cd803-402d-71a1-b9a0-9f912cc714b1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019cd803-402d-72b8-97b7-7dbc4528a4a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019cd803-402d-72b8-97b7-7dbc4528a4a6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-402d-714d-bf99-ca37e53204fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-402d-714d-bf99-ca37e53204fa" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersAppointed_019cd803-402d-7ad5-942e-2b49dcf371db" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersAppointed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersAppointed_019cd803-402d-7ad5-942e-2b49dcf371db" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentVotingRightsPercentage_019cd803-402d-7fe1-b749-2cc197441800" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentVotingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityMethodInvestmentVotingRightsPercentage_019cd803-402d-7fe1-b749-2cc197441800" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersNominated_019cd803-402d-77bd-8789-1774656f6a83" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersNominated"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7aac-b65d-ae1c755366c2" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NumberOfBoardMembersNominated_019cd803-402d-77bd-8789-1774656f6a83" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/INTANGIBLESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#INTANGIBLESDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/INTANGIBLESDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7c21-bab1-97bf60424bf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019cd803-402d-740d-8a4f-451b6d540666" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7c21-bab1-97bf60424bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019cd803-402d-740d-8a4f-451b6d540666" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019cd803-402d-740d-8a4f-451b6d540666" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7faf-8f27-79b670387cc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019cd803-402d-7b4b-b5d6-d7fa334d7ac7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7faf-8f27-79b670387cc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_019cd803-402d-7aec-8dc9-ef4b2454be78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7faf-8f27-79b670387cc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_019cd803-402d-7aec-8dc9-ef4b2454be78" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceAndOtherLeaseIntangiblesMember_019cd803-402d-7424-97da-6c8b8cb3fb56" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceAndOtherLeaseIntangiblesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7faf-8f27-79b670387cc4" xlink:to="loc_vtr_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceAndOtherLeaseIntangiblesMember_019cd803-402d-7424-97da-6c8b8cb3fb56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_019cd803-402d-78ed-9b49-3306a23db429" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7faf-8f27-79b670387cc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember_019cd803-402d-78ed-9b49-3306a23db429" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7c21-bab1-97bf60424bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019cd803-402d-7c36-b1fa-9b1353e16631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019cd803-402d-7c36-b1fa-9b1353e16631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019cd803-402d-7f62-8a49-c9127758882b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019cd803-402d-7f62-8a49-c9127758882b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019cd803-402d-7a29-a7cf-f36e6e317320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019cd803-402d-7a29-a7cf-f36e6e317320" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_019cd803-402d-7b50-860b-18fb550a5858" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_019cd803-402d-7b50-860b-18fb550a5858" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill_019cd803-402d-74d4-b3db-3f7c586a267d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwill_019cd803-402d-74d4-b3db-3f7c586a267d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1_019cd803-402d-7cfc-8f0e-d744bb0d0456" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_019cd803-402d-7078-9464-b86cd5d6b649" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1_019cd803-402d-7cfc-8f0e-d744bb0d0456" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019cd803-402d-7c21-bab1-97bf60424bf9" xlink:to="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeases_019cd803-402d-7e86-9132-451f441bbba0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeases_019cd803-402d-7e86-9132-451f441bbba0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesGross_019cd803-402d-744a-afef-170c7568ff1d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OtherIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesGross_019cd803-402d-744a-afef-170c7568ff1d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAccumulatedAmortization_019cd803-402d-7d6d-9a51-659c4842f6e4" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAccumulatedAmortization_019cd803-402d-7d6d-9a51-659c4842f6e4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesPurchaseOptions_019cd803-402d-71f1-8f61-04ca7411e2a6" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesPurchaseOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesPurchaseOptions_019cd803-402d-71f1-8f61-04ca7411e2a6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesNet_019cd803-402d-7ac8-855a-54cdab775e75" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesNet_019cd803-402d-7ac8-855a-54cdab775e75" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeasesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod_019cd803-402d-7c4e-ae5f-57613b74b58e" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeasesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesBelowMarketLeasesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod_019cd803-402d-7c4e-ae5f-57613b74b58e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod_019cd803-402d-7960-a61f-84c87ed0b0e0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_IntangibleLiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7492-9002-4bf5c65c32ac" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesRemainingWeightedAverageAmortizationPeriod_019cd803-402d-7960-a61f-84c87ed0b0e0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/OTHERASSETSSummaryofOtherAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#OTHERASSETSSummaryofOtherAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/OTHERASSETSSummaryofOtherAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019cd803-402d-79bc-a67b-ee4c65746e3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019cd803-402d-79bc-a67b-ee4c65746e3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019cd803-402d-79bc-a67b-ee4c65746e3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-402d-7f75-b545-5780ad21025d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_019cd803-402d-768c-855b-6ebbfd628761" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-402d-7f75-b545-5780ad21025d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_KindredMember_019dbb51-7b1d-751c-956f-5b08b4c844f3" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_KindredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_019cd803-402d-7f75-b545-5780ad21025d" xlink:to="loc_vtr_KindredMember_019dbb51-7b1d-751c-956f-5b08b4c844f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_StraightLineRentReceivablesNet_019cd803-402d-7db2-8dd4-4ac0ccaa8b30" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_StraightLineRentReceivablesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_vtr_StraightLineRentReceivablesNet_019cd803-402d-7db2-8dd4-4ac0ccaa8b30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet_019cd803-402d-70dd-80b2-b788566767f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet_019cd803-402d-70dd-80b2-b788566767f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_019cd803-402d-7406-b76c-51b3e5fb1700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_019cd803-402d-7406-b76c-51b3e5fb1700" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_InvestmentInUnconsolidatedOperatingEntities_019cd803-402d-7b4d-b7b5-599f5eb67e2c" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_InvestmentInUnconsolidatedOperatingEntities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_vtr_InvestmentInUnconsolidatedOperatingEntities_019cd803-402d-7b4d-b7b5-599f5eb67e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent_019cd803-402d-73da-9fcd-2ff753d9ac41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent_019cd803-402d-73da-9fcd-2ff753d9ac41" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7402-a9ca-8004c8b575c5" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-7402-a9ca-8004c8b575c5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_019cd803-402d-7694-a323-f833e24c2750" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_019cd803-402d-7694-a323-f833e24c2750" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous_019cd803-402d-7129-926a-5712bdf10390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneous_019cd803-402d-7129-926a-5712bdf10390" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019cd803-402d-7b6f-ac15-86405f93c712" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019cd803-402d-7b6f-ac15-86405f93c712" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable_019cd803-402d-7539-9cfa-3c6b17a7c9d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivable_019cd803-402d-7539-9cfa-3c6b17a7c9d2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOwnershipPercentageParent_019dbb51-7b1d-722a-be3d-2131988bc991" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOwnershipPercentageParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019cd803-402d-742e-87a5-9beecdd6b284" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightOwnershipPercentageParent_019dbb51-7b1d-722a-be3d-2131988bc991" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSummaryofSeniorNotesPayablesandOtherDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSummaryofSeniorNotesPayablesandOtherDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSummaryofSeniorNotesPayablesandOtherDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-72ce-9cd7-7a4182aec4cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-72ce-9cd7-7a4182aec4cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-72ce-9cd7-7a4182aec4cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-762b-9b28-6682939baaff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019cd803-402d-767f-9a9c-5f59a8781886" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019cd803-402d-767f-9a9c-5f59a8781886" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.125SeniorNotesdue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7efe-aea4-6a1607434c71" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.125SeniorNotesdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.125SeniorNotesdue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7efe-aea4-6a1607434c71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7126-b0c8-fb0359a77826" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7126-b0c8-fb0359a77826" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A3.25SeniorNotesdue2026Member_019cd803-402d-75fc-86c6-8ba467b602f0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A3.25SeniorNotesdue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A3.25SeniorNotesdue2026Member_019cd803-402d-75fc-86c6-8ba467b602f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member_019cd803-402d-7102-bf34-7428db716417" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member_019cd803-402d-7102-bf34-7428db716417" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A245SeniorNotesSeriesGDue2027Member_019cd803-402d-7d8d-958a-940ed1590213" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A245SeniorNotesSeriesGDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A245SeniorNotesSeriesGDue2027Member_019cd803-402d-7d8d-958a-940ed1590213" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A3.85SeniorNotesdue2027Member_019cd803-402d-7900-9ad8-5019a664602b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A3.85SeniorNotesdue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A3.85SeniorNotesdue2027Member_019cd803-402d-7900-9ad8-5019a664602b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.00SeniorNotesdue2028Member_019cd803-402d-755f-920c-00b3ba58020a" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.00SeniorNotesdue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.00SeniorNotesdue2028Member_019cd803-402d-755f-920c-00b3ba58020a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5398SeniorNotesSeriesIDue2028Member_019cd803-402d-76d2-92d3-2ba471eb3378" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5398SeniorNotesSeriesIDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5398SeniorNotesSeriesIDue2028Member_019cd803-402d-76d2-92d3-2ba471eb3378" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.400SeniorNotesdue2029Member_019cd803-402d-7f8a-98bb-14c4cfa3ade8" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.400SeniorNotesdue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.400SeniorNotesdue2029Member_019cd803-402d-7f8a-98bb-14c4cfa3ade8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.100SeniorNotesSeriesJDue2029Member_019cd803-402d-7b47-bba9-6923decd9abb" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.100SeniorNotesSeriesJDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.100SeniorNotesSeriesJDue2029Member_019cd803-402d-7b47-bba9-6923decd9abb" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A3.00SeniorNotesdue2030Member_019cd803-402d-7019-9e40-1c54269c4610" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A3.00SeniorNotesdue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A3.00SeniorNotesdue2030Member_019cd803-402d-7019-9e40-1c54269c4610" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2030Member_019cd803-402d-77bc-8d77-8b783e1129ac" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.75SeniorNotesdue2030Member_019cd803-402d-77bc-8d77-8b783e1129ac" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A250SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019cd803-402d-7bfc-b2c3-0c24e7403d7e" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A250SeniorNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A250SeniorNotesDue2031Member_019cd803-402d-7bfc-b2c3-0c24e7403d7e" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A330SeniorNotesSeriesHDue2031Member_019cd803-402d-7f26-be26-440d765a9697" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A330SeniorNotesSeriesHDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A330SeniorNotesSeriesHDue2031Member_019cd803-402d-7f26-be26-440d765a9697" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member_019dbada-e074-7cd2-9066-9139612e805d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member_019dbada-e074-7cd2-9066-9139612e805d" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.10SeniorNotesDue2032Member_019cd803-402d-7815-8a7c-3a3853a15a50" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.10SeniorNotesDue2032Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.10SeniorNotesDue2032Member_019cd803-402d-7815-8a7c-3a3853a15a50" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.63SeniorNotesDue2034Member_019cd803-402d-712c-b505-99c53f5c112b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.63SeniorNotesDue2034Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.63SeniorNotesDue2034Member_019cd803-402d-712c-b505-99c53f5c112b" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2035Member_019cd803-402d-75d7-b85f-4682ff42e8f1" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2035Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2035Member_019cd803-402d-75d7-b85f-4682ff42e8f1" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2026Member_019dbad4-8711-7c71-8f05-5fe0aff119fe" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.00SeniorNotesDue2026Member_019dbad4-8711-7c71-8f05-5fe0aff119fe" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A6.90SeniorNotesdue2037Member_019cd803-402d-755f-95b3-ab94fff8f769" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A6.90SeniorNotesdue2037Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A6.90SeniorNotesdue2037Member_019cd803-402d-755f-95b3-ab94fff8f769" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A6.59SeniorNotesdue2038Member_019cd803-402d-792e-8c16-506521b58eb5" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A6.59SeniorNotesdue2038Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A6.59SeniorNotesdue2038Member_019cd803-402d-792e-8c16-506521b58eb5" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A5.70SeniorNotesdue2043Member_019cd803-402d-7ce8-b543-6509f3e2d660" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A5.70SeniorNotesdue2043Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A5.70SeniorNotesdue2043Member_019cd803-402d-7ce8-b543-6509f3e2d660" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4375SeniorNotesDue2045Member_019cd803-402d-76d8-8563-e179a0773b3d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4375SeniorNotesDue2045Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4375SeniorNotesDue2045Member_019cd803-402d-76d8-8563-e179a0773b3d" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.875SeniorNotesdue2049Member_019cd803-402d-7be3-99f3-16b66b3e3467" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.875SeniorNotesdue2049Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.875SeniorNotesdue2049Member_019cd803-402d-7be3-99f3-16b66b3e3467" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7320-abb7-4ae70c91b4f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-707b-98bf-23435aea3b27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7320-abb7-4ae70c91b4f5" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-72ce-9cd7-7a4182aec4cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7c5d-99c6-48ce463da4cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-7592-b410-90026b274278" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7c5d-99c6-48ce463da4cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019cd803-402d-7a55-9fa6-63be74533b2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7c5d-99c6-48ce463da4cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019cd803-402d-7a55-9fa6-63be74533b2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-72ce-9cd7-7a4182aec4cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-75ef-87da-f29369122a9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d30-8ef2-f4acf29b63a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-75ef-87da-f29369122a9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinCADMember_019cd803-402d-7272-a019-a344162e969e" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinCADMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-75ef-87da-f29369122a9b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinCADMember_019cd803-402d-7272-a019-a344162e969e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinGBPMember_019cd803-402d-719a-a942-bedd94d1daa9" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinGBPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-75ef-87da-f29369122a9b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_BorrowingsoriginallydenominatedinGBPMember_019cd803-402d-719a-a942-bedd94d1daa9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7cca-a3fa-1f2df6f4f49d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7cca-a3fa-1f2df6f4f49d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_019cd803-402d-7332-9306-2da04250cbe1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_019cd803-402d-7332-9306-2da04250cbe1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019cd803-402d-77dc-a442-3c26ba7f5c97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019cd803-402d-77dc-a442-3c26ba7f5c97" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019cd803-402d-7556-aa6a-c8b544a00b63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019cd803-402d-7556-aa6a-c8b544a00b63" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019cd803-402d-73e2-815d-08f7d12de032" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019cd803-402d-73e2-815d-08f7d12de032" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019cd803-402d-7b65-8e9b-d03534a3ce01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019cd803-402d-7b65-8e9b-d03534a3ce01" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment_019cd803-402d-71d3-85a1-081a73b0db48" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedFairValueAdjustment_019cd803-402d-71d3-85a1-081a73b0db48" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_019cd803-402d-7fca-8192-0d773e16d45d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_019cd803-402d-7fca-8192-0d773e16d45d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_019cd803-402d-700a-9c27-65ac528c8c23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_019cd803-402d-700a-9c27-65ac528c8c23" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-75bc-9dde-d636ba1421f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7f8c-9254-8c6d722c7769" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-75bc-9dde-d636ba1421f8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTCreditFacilitiesCommercialPaperUnsecuredTermLoansandLettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTCreditFacilitiesCommercialPaperUnsecuredTermLoansandLettersofCreditDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTCreditFacilitiesCommercialPaperUnsecuredTermLoansandLettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-79aa-a3d8-9a9cbf49ce36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7364-ba88-cfc2272600eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7364-ba88-cfc2272600eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJune2027Member_019cd803-402d-7311-9476-b920308ec78b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJune2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:to="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJune2027Member_019cd803-402d-7311-9476-b920308ec78b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member_019dbadf-d93b-761e-804b-bd672ad764ee" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:to="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueJanuary2031Member_019dbadf-d93b-761e-804b-bd672ad764ee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DelayedDrawTermLoanFacilityMember_019dbb3a-226e-707f-8edb-e79ec26a6292" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DelayedDrawTermLoanFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DelayedDrawTermLoanFacilityMember_019dbb3a-226e-707f-8edb-e79ec26a6292" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member_019dbb3a-226e-7ca5-abcb-9838aa2612e4" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7787-bac5-d76203857a35" xlink:to="loc_vtr_UnsecuredTermLoanDueFebruary2027Member_019dbb3a-226e-7ca5-abcb-9838aa2612e4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7704-9477-c772f267f799" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019cd803-402d-713e-833e-2c76017a189c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7704-9477-c772f267f799" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019cd803-402d-771e-819f-e4e2d9bfd38d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7704-9477-c772f267f799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019cd803-402d-771e-819f-e4e2d9bfd38d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019cd803-402d-794a-9510-264bdfab33b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019cd803-402d-7704-9477-c772f267f799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019cd803-402d-794a-9510-264bdfab33b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7962-844a-5d073e9cfede" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019cd803-402d-7f39-a6ea-cee1fe658cc7" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7962-844a-5d073e9cfede" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VentasRealtyMember_019cd803-402d-7af6-8f94-6392ce7965bd" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VentasRealtyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019cd803-402d-7962-844a-5d073e9cfede" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VentasRealtyMember_019cd803-402d-7af6-8f94-6392ce7965bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7952-8c59-8a20ee714cb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-73cf-934b-bad7fa140750" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7067-8bee-637abdd03379" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-73cf-934b-bad7fa140750" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_CreditAgreementMember_019cd803-402d-7e41-a936-da0b17e6f113" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_CreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019cd803-402d-73cf-934b-bad7fa140750" xlink:to="loc_vtr_CreditAgreementMember_019cd803-402d-7e41-a936-da0b17e6f113" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019cd803-402d-7476-ab9b-9bc787796501" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019cd803-402d-7476-ab9b-9bc787796501" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019cd803-402d-7cb5-be38-3217cc694012" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019cd803-402d-7cb5-be38-3217cc694012" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AdditionalPeriods_019cd803-402d-729d-a6d4-9472b2baf285" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AdditionalPeriods"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AdditionalPeriods_019cd803-402d-729d-a6d4-9472b2baf285" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentTermAdditionalPeriod_019cd803-402d-7e7a-9b0d-1b8d322e9773" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentTermAdditionalPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentTermAdditionalPeriod_019cd803-402d-7e7a-9b0d-1b8d322e9773" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_019cd803-402d-7495-9d91-9ca2056cc287" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_019cd803-402d-7495-9d91-9ca2056cc287" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_019dbb3a-226e-76c3-8f02-994d49bc5d00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_019dbb3a-226e-76c3-8f02-994d49bc5d00" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_CommercialPaperProgramCapacity_019cd803-402d-7169-8c46-e53a3c6a3c72" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_CommercialPaperProgramCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_CommercialPaperProgramCapacity_019cd803-402d-7169-8c46-e53a3c6a3c72" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019cd803-402d-7d52-bb23-45c9a43187de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019cd803-402d-7d52-bb23-45c9a43187de" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentAccordionLimit_019cd803-402d-7816-b104-9c69153fc7ed" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentAccordionLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentAccordionLimit_019cd803-402d-7816-b104-9c69153fc7ed" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019cd803-402d-7731-9ee3-2639c39e2ece" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7650-bacb-6d68b42eca8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019cd803-402d-7731-9ee3-2639c39e2ece" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTExchangeableSeniorNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTExchangeableSeniorNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTExchangeableSeniorNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7cfb-853f-027af4086fe6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7cfb-853f-027af4086fe6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7cfb-853f-027af4086fe6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bdc-b1fd-10202eada87c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7f74-a883-a6a95ab380f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bdc-b1fd-10202eada87c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7242-8f44-c92dc4aa2d47" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bdc-b1fd-10202eada87c" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402d-7242-8f44-c92dc4aa2d47" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019cd803-402d-7ba1-a9a0-80f1bf06a14d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019cd803-402d-7ba1-a9a0-80f1bf06a14d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7420-9bb0-3497fd9b5428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7420-9bb0-3497fd9b5428" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019cd803-402d-7d62-b60e-7176a9071764" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019cd803-402d-7d62-b60e-7176a9071764" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019cd803-402d-79df-be7b-7c8a406de9db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019cd803-402d-79df-be7b-7c8a406de9db" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019cd803-402d-7183-a5ab-bee645d28bfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019cd803-402d-7183-a5ab-bee645d28bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_019cd803-402d-7f03-b9f5-f4ca818201fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_019cd803-402d-7f03-b9f5-f4ca818201fd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentAggregatePrincipalExchanged_019dbaee-4e26-7618-8b33-b1a2a7a5e352" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentAggregatePrincipalExchanged"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentAggregatePrincipalExchanged_019dbaee-4e26-7618-8b33-b1a2a7a5e352" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRatePerOneThousandDollars_019cd803-402d-7385-92c1-41c55c629d11" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRatePerOneThousandDollars"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRatePerOneThousandDollars_019cd803-402d-7385-92c1-41c55c629d11" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare_019cd803-402d-740a-94a2-002d5c51a782" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare_019cd803-402d-740a-94a2-002d5c51a782" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRateAdjustmentQuarterlyDividendThresholdPerShare_019cd803-402d-7005-aa45-5e4480efbc5a" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRateAdjustmentQuarterlyDividendThresholdPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7e23-8c13-1ca6ce5398f0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangeRateAdjustmentQuarterlyDividendThresholdPerShare_019cd803-402d-7005-aa45-5e4480efbc5a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSeniorNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSeniorNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTSeniorNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7584-822f-da88ded86f2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7997-90b9-4efc580c4a20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7584-822f-da88ded86f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7997-90b9-4efc580c4a20" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7997-90b9-4efc580c4a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7ed5-9567-6d17b07286ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7aae-84a5-97c66da0737c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7ed5-9567-6d17b07286ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A4.13SeniorNotesDue2026Member_019dbaf3-c87b-7212-899d-2d93ea32e2bc" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A4.13SeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7ed5-9567-6d17b07286ff" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A4.13SeniorNotesDue2026Member_019dbaf3-c87b-7212-899d-2d93ea32e2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-7997-90b9-4efc580c4a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbb39-c460-713f-921c-01da6667babc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019dbb39-c460-7bc6-933b-7c2fdaaf10f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbb39-c460-713f-921c-01da6667babc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019dbb39-c460-7ad5-a038-af0bd849c84b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019dbb39-c460-713f-921c-01da6667babc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019dbb39-c460-7ad5-a038-af0bd849c84b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_019cd803-402d-7095-8697-a8a8e9e76d42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7584-822f-da88ded86f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_019cd803-402d-7095-8697-a8a8e9e76d42" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7241-9f40-77b36004995b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-7584-822f-da88ded86f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019cd803-402d-7241-9f40-77b36004995b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTMortgagesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTMortgagesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTMortgagesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-402d-760a-a3ce-e855f7e0d0db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-402d-705a-87b5-aeb8cc3e297f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-402d-760a-a3ce-e855f7e0d0db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-402d-705a-87b5-aeb8cc3e297f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_019cd803-402d-705a-87b5-aeb8cc3e297f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7278-92dd-e02c5b696993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7875-b94a-a63e21f99535" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7278-92dd-e02c5b696993" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-74d7-938d-4fa5ab4f9ecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7278-92dd-e02c5b696993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-74d7-938d-4fa5ab4f9ecb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019dbb3a-9743-77ca-b20f-81ee23ff52ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-402d-760a-a3ce-e855f7e0d0db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019dbb3a-9743-77ca-b20f-81ee23ff52ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019cd803-402d-7f25-acd1-d1e845e5f9d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_019cd803-402d-760a-a3ce-e855f7e0d0db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019cd803-402d-7f25-acd1-d1e845e5f9d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTIndebtednessofMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTIndebtednessofMaturitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTIndebtednessofMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-713b-94c0-2fc4e1ee188e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-728a-a19c-052ab98ee7e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-713b-94c0-2fc4e1ee188e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-728a-a19c-052ab98ee7e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019cd803-402d-728a-a19c-052ab98ee7e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-72c4-bdb7-badfbc1981f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7497-8b19-fda365776476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-72c4-bdb7-badfbc1981f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorNotesandMortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7ff1-b22c-ee00bc861e95" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorNotesandMortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-72c4-bdb7-badfbc1981f3" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorNotesandMortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7ff1-b22c-ee00bc861e95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019cd803-402d-7962-9979-51e6da4b82da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-72c4-bdb7-badfbc1981f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019cd803-402d-7962-9979-51e6da4b82da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentMortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-77b8-be4f-432c03ed9f56" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentMortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-72c4-bdb7-badfbc1981f3" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentMortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-77b8-be4f-432c03ed9f56" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-713b-94c0-2fc4e1ee188e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_019cd803-402d-761c-89a4-5ae03a13cbe3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_019cd803-402d-761c-89a4-5ae03a13cbe3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_019cd803-402d-7fd0-8801-a7d247d2feff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_019cd803-402d-7fd0-8801-a7d247d2feff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_019cd803-402d-742f-ac48-ef4f9b07e28b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_019cd803-402d-742f-ac48-ef4f9b07e28b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_019cd803-402d-7660-b223-f838d45cb2e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_019cd803-402d-7660-b223-f838d45cb2e7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_019cd803-402d-7da8-8eeb-52895a3e2d71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_019cd803-402d-7da8-8eeb-52895a3e2d71" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_019cd803-402d-7e2b-85b0-291154abd3ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MaturitiesOfLongTermDebtAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f53-bea3-25d515944bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_019cd803-402d-7e2b-85b0-291154abd3ef" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7484-9798-c15748f71d74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019cd803-402d-713b-94c0-2fc4e1ee188e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7484-9798-c15748f71d74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTDerivativesandHedgingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTDerivativesandHedgingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBTDerivativesandHedgingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-766b-b53a-6a7f273cdb4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-7d45-83a4-3f20b1677244" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-766b-b53a-6a7f273cdb4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-7d45-83a4-3f20b1677244" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-7d45-83a4-3f20b1677244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7d4e-badf-f8f6c1766f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-7c0d-90db-375a8ee30910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-7c0d-90db-375a8ee30910" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VariableRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-72a0-b36a-58705c498618" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VariableRateDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VariableRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-72a0-b36a-58705c498618" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FixedRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7025-9ffd-862e7256f299" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FixedRateDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FixedRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7025-9ffd-862e7256f299" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7204-8a16-490300fb0bfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bc8-963d-9b4d3de0c31b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019cd803-402d-7204-8a16-490300fb0bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-7d45-83a4-3f20b1677244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-77cc-b919-7b50b730dd59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_VariableRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7072-a43b-6d4bd2eb7f24" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_VariableRateDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:to="loc_vtr_VariableRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-7072-a43b-6d4bd2eb7f24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_FixedRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-75a3-a848-ff693c7c8b86" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_FixedRateDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:to="loc_vtr_FixedRateDebtMember_019cd803-402d-75a3-a848-ff693c7c8b86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-777a-938d-c6ca9e22f8fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-777a-938d-c6ca9e22f8fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SwapOneMember_019cd803-402d-747f-bcde-97c3c2f1f8c5" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SwapOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SwapOneMember_019cd803-402d-747f-bcde-97c3c2f1f8c5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SwapTwoMember_019cd803-402d-7b91-b02a-a5591a5cff96" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SwapTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7028-81ef-67d833a27bef" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SwapTwoMember_019cd803-402d-7b91-b02a-a5591a5cff96" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount_019cd803-402d-7147-be8c-93ec38059a2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-766b-b53a-6a7f273cdb4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestAmount_019cd803-402d-7147-be8c-93ec38059a2d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestAmount_019cd803-402d-77b0-a6df-157b6429beae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-766b-b53a-6a7f273cdb4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestAmount_019cd803-402d-77b0-a6df-157b6429beae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019cd803-402d-78d2-8a1c-2f0b982f9338" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-766b-b53a-6a7f273cdb4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019cd803-402d-78d2-8a1c-2f0b982f9338" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBT2026ActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBT2026ActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SENIORNOTESPAYABLEANDOTHERDEBT2026ActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-7ae2-b26a-315679544eaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-790b-a317-c6cda6ac6816" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-7ae2-b26a-315679544eaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-790b-a317-c6cda6ac6816" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019cd803-402d-790b-a317-c6cda6ac6816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-777c-a5ca-8abe9ba29a70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019cd803-402d-7bbe-bc64-af95e6494d95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-777c-a5ca-8abe9ba29a70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-7711-932e-23e42173b3cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-777c-a5ca-8abe9ba29a70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019cd803-402d-7711-932e-23e42173b3cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative_019dbb07-30ca-7283-ac9e-0e04c9c61e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-7ae2-b26a-315679544eaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLossOnDerivative_019dbb07-30ca-7283-ac9e-0e04c9c61e84" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019cd803-402d-74c0-9625-78c9c23f3cc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019cd803-402d-7ae2-b26a-315679544eaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019cd803-402d-74c0-9625-78c9c23f3cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSCarryingAmountsandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSCarryingAmountsandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/FAIRVALUESOFFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSCarryingAmountsandFairValuesofFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019cd803-402d-78d1-a97a-395e1b33e43e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019cd803-402d-7e9b-a65e-dc879cec042a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019cd803-402d-78d1-a97a-395e1b33e43e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019cd803-402d-7e9b-a65e-dc879cec042a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019cd803-402d-7e9b-a65e-dc879cec042a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d5b-93c8-4f600fabd3af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019cd803-402d-7d28-b611-cc8d7261fba6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d5b-93c8-4f600fabd3af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-737d-9dfc-c0df4c49f73e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d5b-93c8-4f600fabd3af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-737d-9dfc-c0df4c49f73e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7670-bde4-703d7372ff0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d5b-93c8-4f600fabd3af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7670-bde4-703d7372ff0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7cd8-a7dc-7455eccfe248" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d5b-93c8-4f600fabd3af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019cd803-402d-7cd8-a7dc-7455eccfe248" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019cd803-402d-7e9b-a65e-dc879cec042a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7c44-b7e9-fd5f6ac50980" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019cd803-402d-7d32-a8e1-41f6cbc357b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7c44-b7e9-fd5f6ac50980" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_019cd803-402d-7964-aeca-5d64552b0d3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019cd803-402d-7c44-b7e9-fd5f6ac50980" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember_019cd803-402d-7964-aeca-5d64552b0d3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019cd803-402d-7e9b-a65e-dc879cec042a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7184-9c83-829de10b2a3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019cd803-402d-7cbb-8127-5ff1804e7dab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7184-9c83-829de10b2a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember_019cd803-402d-7300-819b-05bef2429e9f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019cd803-402d-7184-9c83-829de10b2a3e" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoanReceivableMember_019cd803-402d-7300-819b-05bef2429e9f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019cd803-402d-78d1-a97a-395e1b33e43e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019cd803-402d-7936-a637-7e5557eeb1c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019cd803-402d-7936-a637-7e5557eeb1c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_019cd803-402d-7abf-94fa-d0afcd548adf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_019cd803-402d-7abf-94fa-d0afcd548adf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EscrowDepositsAndRestrictedCash_019cd803-402d-7583-af81-bb14e15872c2" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EscrowDepositsAndRestrictedCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EscrowDepositsAndRestrictedCash_019cd803-402d-7583-af81-bb14e15872c2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019cd803-402d-7110-b441-9590bdf9f114" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019cd803-402d-7110-b441-9590bdf9f114" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue_019cd803-402d-7fa2-a0e7-622e0b6e11ed" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SecuredLoansUnsecuredLoansAndOtherAvailableForSaleSecuritiesFairValue_019cd803-402d-7fa2-a0e7-622e0b6e11ed" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-76dc-93ab-3a225ce51321" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableNet_019cd803-402d-76dc-93ab-3a225ce51321" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue_019cd803-402d-72a7-a55b-06e9e8378e8e" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NonMortgageLoansReceivableFairValue_019cd803-402d-72a7-a55b-06e9e8378e8e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019cd803-402d-720b-907a-71a5c50b3f65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019cd803-402d-7708-9d4a-a8542ef2c4e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019cd803-402d-720b-907a-71a5c50b3f65" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019cd803-402d-78d1-a97a-395e1b33e43e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7a5f-a72d-c5f91df6bcd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7a5f-a72d-c5f91df6bcd6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019cd803-402d-7204-9cbe-7c28e0ebe3d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019cd803-402d-7204-9cbe-7c28e0ebe3d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019cd803-402d-7cd8-8855-b56d5cc54515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019cd803-402d-7cd8-8855-b56d5cc54515" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7b14-95bd-53f79f5c85f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019cd803-402d-7b14-95bd-53f79f5c85f9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityOtherFairValue_019cd803-402d-785a-aafd-ab1f98822f89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityOtherFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019cd803-402d-7f41-85c0-5809f09ceb83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityOtherFairValue_019cd803-402d-785a-aafd-ab1f98822f89" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityofferingLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityofferingTable_019cd803-402e-7f58-83f5-86a4291112b8" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityofferingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityofferingTable_019cd803-402e-7f58-83f5-86a4291112b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingAxis_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingTable_019cd803-402e-7f58-83f5-86a4291112b8" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingAxis_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248_default" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingAxis_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingAxis_019cd803-402e-72c6-ad33-8abef7002248" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketProgramMember_019dbb18-832e-7fa9-88ff-4e9d06cd304c" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtTheMarketProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketProgramMember_019dbb18-832e-7fa9-88ff-4e9d06cd304c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7c65-914f-1cbaa8d1b270" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramForwardSalesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7c65-914f-1cbaa8d1b270" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramSettledForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7127-ab0f-276f382b66ea" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramSettledForwardSalesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramSettledForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7127-ab0f-276f382b66ea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramUnsettledForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7cdf-a878-e90b238e27d8" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramUnsettledForwardSalesAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingDomain_019cd803-402e-73ea-921b-b947a851e340" xlink:to="loc_vtr_AtTheMarketEquityOfferingProgramUnsettledForwardSalesAgreementMember_019cd803-402e-7cdf-a878-e90b238e27d8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingTable_019cd803-402e-7f58-83f5-86a4291112b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-74b5-a85a-8e7152117eea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7020-9b72-929510a19e8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-74b5-a85a-8e7152117eea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019cd803-402e-793d-ab23-59db26486fc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-74b5-a85a-8e7152117eea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019cd803-402e-793d-ab23-59db26486fc7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingTable_019cd803-402e-7f58-83f5-86a4291112b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7e7c-a993-aa9460910bf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019cd803-402e-7325-bf84-de47c83392c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7e7c-a993-aa9460910bf5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019cd803-402e-74d5-98fc-51fc19721651" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7e7c-a993-aa9460910bf5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019cd803-402e-74d5-98fc-51fc19721651" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019cd803-402e-76fb-9def-e6d0b286c809" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019cd803-402e-7e7c-a993-aa9460910bf5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019cd803-402e-76fb-9def-e6d0b286c809" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaximumAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7beb-ae6d-1ede3af26215" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaximumAuthorizedOfferingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaximumAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7beb-ae6d-1ede3af26215" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7e9f-8b1c-9289587cff8b" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingProgramRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7e9f-8b1c-9289587cff8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramConsiderationReceived_019cd803-402e-78ac-b127-7f013ac66046" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingProgramConsiderationReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramConsiderationReceived_019cd803-402e-78ac-b127-7f013ac66046" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SharesIssuedWeightedAveragePricePerShare_019cd803-402e-7166-a5e6-d9879fad5338" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SharesIssuedWeightedAveragePricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SharesIssuedWeightedAveragePricePerShare_019cd803-402e-7166-a5e6-d9879fad5338" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramSharesRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7529-aecc-2a33ea912863" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingProgramSharesRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramSharesRemainingAuthorizedOfferingAmount_019cd803-402e-7529-aecc-2a33ea912863" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaturityTerm_019cd803-402e-7dcd-8f0f-f3aa37b7671f" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaturityTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_EquityofferingLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b3f-8712-fcb3934d95eb" xlink:to="loc_vtr_EquityOfferingProgramMaturityTerm_019cd803-402e-7dcd-8f0f-f3aa37b7671f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#EARNINGSPERSHAREDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019cd803-402e-7152-8ed8-f4b5f6e16e48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019cd803-402e-7152-8ed8-f4b5f6e16e48" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019cd803-402e-7152-8ed8-f4b5f6e16e48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-70de-a297-77fe27c87735" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019cd803-402e-7cac-8bcc-7a2e937287c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-70de-a297-77fe27c87735" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402e-7ca9-9c3c-424c9ce89b1d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019cd803-402e-70de-a297-77fe27c87735" xlink:to="loc_vtr_A375ExchangeableSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019cd803-402e-7ca9-9c3c-424c9ce89b1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e63-b868-1bc5a459a0dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e63-b868-1bc5a459a0dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-402e-7079-89e6-1a1b708ea4a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e63-b868-1bc5a459a0dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-402e-7079-89e6-1a1b708ea4a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-402e-7c3b-a74c-d5f3c3fd09f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e63-b868-1bc5a459a0dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-402e-7c3b-a74c-d5f3c3fd09f3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-402e-792f-80fc-6af8aa70181f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e63-b868-1bc5a459a0dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-402e-792f-80fc-6af8aa70181f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019cd803-402e-7d57-af39-84fc8fbeb0e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019cd803-402e-7d57-af39-84fc8fbeb0e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019cd803-402e-7a36-bbaa-83c848c60bb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019cd803-402e-7d57-af39-84fc8fbeb0e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019cd803-402e-7a36-bbaa-83c848c60bb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019cd803-402e-7d57-af39-84fc8fbeb0e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019cd803-402e-788f-b7a8-19000144b7d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019cd803-402e-788f-b7a8-19000144b7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares_019cd803-402e-7cca-a860-9b40984a3d37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares_019cd803-402e-7cca-a860-9b40984a3d37" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfDebtSecurities_019cd803-402e-7f74-af30-b1dc7a8f9208" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToConversionOfDebtSecurities_019cd803-402e-7f74-af30-b1dc7a8f9208" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToEquityForwardAgreements_019cd803-402e-74f5-af64-ec5911e32168" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToEquityForwardAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DilutiveSecuritiesAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e3d-931e-2c39f62af3f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToEquityForwardAgreements_019cd803-402e-74f5-af64-ec5911e32168" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019cd803-402e-7ac7-ae74-4c76d61d87d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019cd803-402e-7d57-af39-84fc8fbeb0e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019cd803-402e-7ac7-ae74-4c76d61d87d7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-402e-74d9-949f-1d18fdc39f9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-402e-74d9-949f-1d18fdc39f9a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019cd803-402e-7eb8-84ce-b9027e80af08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-402e-74d9-949f-1d18fdc39f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicShare_019cd803-402e-7eb8-84ce-b9027e80af08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019cd803-402e-738a-a02b-581d9a5aa7a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019cd803-402e-74d9-949f-1d18fdc39f9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019cd803-402e-738a-a02b-581d9a5aa7a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-757f-bca2-67b10a0e9bcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-757f-bca2-67b10a0e9bcd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019cd803-402e-7255-8b65-4a76e7f866e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-757f-bca2-67b10a0e9bcd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_019cd803-402e-7255-8b65-4a76e7f866e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019cd803-402e-7f4e-abe2-1553c29e4043" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019cd803-402e-757f-bca2-67b10a0e9bcd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019cd803-402e-7f4e-abe2-1553c29e4043" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare_019cd803-402e-7fab-9afc-356dfbc34656" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019cd803-402e-7dae-8a3a-3faf60a67a51" xlink:to="loc_vtr_DebtInstrumentExchangeableExchangePricePerShare_019cd803-402e-7fab-9afc-356dfbc34656" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONIncomeStatementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.ventasreit.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019cd803-402e-7be2-9849-ba44738b48e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019cd803-402e-7be2-9849-ba44738b48e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019cd803-402e-7be2-9849-ba44738b48e9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7fc6-8621-454e73d41534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019cd803-402e-7a74-b17c-5467888952c4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7fc6-8621-454e73d41534" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-402e-75b0-8c2c-96c61a8dcfcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7fc6-8621-454e73d41534" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019cd803-402e-75b0-8c2c-96c61a8dcfcf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-402e-7460-8771-e9516ff0e5af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019cd803-402e-7fc6-8621-454e73d41534" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019cd803-402e-7460-8771-e9516ff0e5af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019cd803-402e-7be2-9849-ba44738b48e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-7eff-8c5e-ee00ea4dd484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019cd803-402e-719d-903a-bfbbdc15790a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-7eff-8c5e-ee00ea4dd484" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402e-7395-9b4b-62959da1ea61" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-7eff-8c5e-ee00ea4dd484" xlink:to="loc_vtr_SeniorHousingOperatingPortfolioSHOPMember_019cd803-402e-7395-9b4b-62959da1ea61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402e-7380-a18e-e5ba3e9af28d" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-7eff-8c5e-ee00ea4dd484" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OutpatientMedicalAndResearchPortfolioMember_019cd803-402e-7380-a18e-e5ba3e9af28d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402e-781d-8484-cd3b95cf1e12" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019cd803-402e-7eff-8c5e-ee00ea4dd484" xlink:to="loc_vtr_TripleNetLeasedPropertiesMember_019cd803-402e-781d-8484-cd3b95cf1e12" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019cd803-402e-7be2-9849-ba44738b48e9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-704c-983e-e2063083b765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019cd803-402e-7cd1-8fdf-9e32425436be" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-704c-983e-e2063083b765" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember_019cd803-402e-7e80-aab8-d815320b2279" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-704c-983e-e2063083b765" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ResidentFeesandServicesMember_019cd803-402e-7e80-aab8-d815320b2279" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember_019cd803-402e-749c-b47a-55d63c8cd0af" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019cd803-402e-704c-983e-e2063083b765" xlink:to="loc_vtr_ThirdPartyCapitalManagementMember_019cd803-402e-749c-b47a-55d63c8cd0af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019cd803-402e-7b5d-990d-2843aa9e7960" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019cd803-402e-7b5d-990d-2843aa9e7960" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices_019cd803-402e-7948-9174-141a9de46552" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_vtr_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeFeesAndServices_019cd803-402e-7948-9174-141a9de46552" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-402e-75d0-a3f2-097461d3a428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019cd803-402e-75d0-a3f2-097461d3a428" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019cd803-402e-7e7e-9869-9714aaa7250c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOperating_019cd803-402e-7e7e-9869-9714aaa7250c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-402e-7bba-87be-65a3ab5cd9a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-402e-7bba-87be-65a3ab5cd9a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019cd803-402e-7b78-af62-e8d7a9e539d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019cd803-402e-7b78-af62-e8d7a9e539d2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019cd803-402e-74ee-b5d5-43d0a411b611" xlink:to="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-402e-73b6-9731-d95c857c8bcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostDirectLabor_019cd803-402e-7363-8443-f786b6d0fc5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostDirectLabor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostDirectLabor_019cd803-402e-7363-8443-f786b6d0fc5c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementFeeExpense_019cd803-402e-75c0-9f69-5e9ff8036d5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementFeeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementFeeExpense_019cd803-402e-75c0-9f69-5e9ff8036d5a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019cd803-402e-74de-a64e-17a72c86dec0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019cd803-402e-74de-a64e-17a72c86dec0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment_019cd803-402e-72d0-a091-119cf7d48e4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DirectCostsOfLeasedAndRentedPropertyOrEquipment_019cd803-402e-72d0-a091-119cf7d48e4c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019cd803-402e-7563-b0de-4fdc64c7ab21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019cd803-402e-7563-b0de-4fdc64c7ab21" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncome_019cd803-402e-7fa7-ada6-ac1b2967d8c5" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_NetOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_vtr_InterestAndOtherIncomePropertyOperatingExpensesBuildingServiceCostsAbstract_019cd803-402e-7e60-83dc-dfcaac2c0438" xlink:to="loc_vtr_NetOperatingIncome_019cd803-402e-7fa7-ada6-ac1b2967d8c5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_019cd803-402e-742d-9b52-d79425493930" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019cd803-402e-7def-ad20-e8cf803d7cbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019cd803-402e-7def-ad20-e8cf803d7cbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019cd803-402e-714a-8a55-4720b0da5fde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019cd803-402e-714a-8a55-4720b0da5fde" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019cd803-402e-7cab-a512-ed3c4fde9a23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019cd803-402e-7cab-a512-ed3c4fde9a23" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019cd803-402e-716d-935c-88a231d24477" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019cd803-402e-716d-935c-88a231d24477" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019cd803-402e-7803-9210-2e7e407e054b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019cd803-402e-7803-9210-2e7e407e054b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019cd803-402e-7711-a795-dbe0c5814399" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019cd803-402e-7711-a795-dbe0c5814399" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree_019cd803-402e-70a4-a79b-b2145b6e15c0" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_vtr_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsAndRemeasurementGainOnEquityInterestInAcquiree_019cd803-402e-70a4-a79b-b2145b6e15c0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-402e-78e1-a9ae-d366c6bf0a01" xlink:href="vtr-20260331.xsd#vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_vtr_GainLossOnDispositionOfRealEstate_019cd803-402e-78e1-a9ae-d366c6bf0a01" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019cd803-402e-792d-9e9b-7dcdcacef786" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019cd803-402e-792d-9e9b-7dcdcacef786" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-402e-7c42-aadc-e93e3d38f345" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019cd803-402e-7c42-aadc-e93e3d38f345" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-402e-7fa6-a22b-366cbb3d03cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019cd803-402e-7fa6-a22b-366cbb3d03cf" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-402e-7296-b4f6-2c200ba491ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019cd803-402e-7b0d-92c0-1c592769eb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019cd803-402e-7296-b4f6-2c200ba491ec" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>