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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:4e06bb2b-d70e-40e0-bc03-5c0596d07d4b,g:ca851b84-41ab-4952-bcb7-b201a4d9e9a1-->
<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://ir.carters.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="ie72fe214387342c58c9c70b3c180b99d_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSHAREHOLDERSEQUITY">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_7386c430-c668-468d-b167-c94f529b04f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_7386c430-c668-468d-b167-c94f529b04f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_7698b615-8963-48d3-8322-729bff467e5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_7698b615-8963-48d3-8322-729bff467e5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_f38f8051-704f-4210-b1a1-5cbb7d16480d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_f38f8051-704f-4210-b1a1-5cbb7d16480d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_ded3eaf6-79e5-4367-94b7-0580f9d1e810" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_ded3eaf6-79e5-4367-94b7-0580f9d1e810" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_da812428-e0ba-46f9-88e5-39a5d906b967" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_da812428-e0ba-46f9-88e5-39a5d906b967" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_72f46258-bfb3-462c-95bc-412af98bdbe6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_72f46258-bfb3-462c-95bc-412af98bdbe6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_369a697b-7626-4d07-98c1-f9118ec9db75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_369a697b-7626-4d07-98c1-f9118ec9db75" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_d4bd95a4-19b0-47dd-84eb-a34e264ec117" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_d4bd95a4-19b0-47dd-84eb-a34e264ec117" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_3dd11964-e341-4f5e-9ede-7777517dc83e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_3dd11964-e341-4f5e-9ede-7777517dc83e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_ae348b2e-1719-4cf0-979c-bcbae27c0538" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_ae348b2e-1719-4cf0-979c-bcbae27c0538" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_5aa5e3a7-1ee1-4d96-9d9c-81c1523c1234" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_5aa5e3a7-1ee1-4d96-9d9c-81c1523c1234" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_2af05dcd-d4f5-4d15-9798-2584c7fd5102" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_2af05dcd-d4f5-4d15-9798-2584c7fd5102" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_1fad2fba-30fe-4385-ba09-854976e86484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_1fad2fba-30fe-4385-ba09-854976e86484" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_d6dc8964-af88-4f5b-8f9e-9e30632ff9cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_d6dc8964-af88-4f5b-8f9e-9e30632ff9cf" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_2d076840-4dbc-4998-8b80-1fc65278e88c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_2d076840-4dbc-4998-8b80-1fc65278e88c" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_8104ad27-7daa-468f-8f00-c4722918c202" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_068cf01c-75f2-46f7-93c0-a0708a7dbf2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_790a2b3f-c02e-4bce-8ee4-02528830beb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fd618c00-b272-404d-9543-0e3e8bdfbc47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_790a2b3f-c02e-4bce-8ee4-02528830beb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_790a2b3f-c02e-4bce-8ee4-02528830beb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a2b4f03d-6311-4bb1-b105-7f00ee428fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_39f2ee2d-3890-4c4c-9595-1552befbb649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_39f2ee2d-3890-4c4c-9595-1552befbb649" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_c30d5a5c-09a2-4387-8328-bfa13b7bb560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_c30d5a5c-09a2-4387-8328-bfa13b7bb560" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_bee78e65-54fe-4e43-b489-fe7a474afa50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_bee78e65-54fe-4e43-b489-fe7a474afa50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_f79bbac7-99ec-4530-9ecc-bdf3d3729dde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_2832e1bb-43e3-452a-9319-979a51aa9092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_f79bbac7-99ec-4530-9ecc-bdf3d3729dde" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/BASISOFPRESENTATIONSupplyChainFinancingProgramDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#BASISOFPRESENTATIONSupplyChainFinancingProgramDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/BASISOFPRESENTATIONSupplyChainFinancingProgramDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iefb275526f5b41b4920d9941a2d3b6a3_BASISOFPRESENTATIONSupplyChainFinancingProgramDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_cf52ff11-d35d-4ba7-9c12-275ab31a30fc" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SupplyChainFinanceRevolvingCapacity_6d0c2b41-b4a2-43d8-afed-bfe5b940974e" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SupplyChainFinanceRevolvingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_cf52ff11-d35d-4ba7-9c12-275ab31a30fc" xlink:to="loc_cri_SupplyChainFinanceRevolvingCapacity_6d0c2b41-b4a2-43d8-afed-bfe5b940974e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_aac54178-d8ac-4587-9494-d2686f5c370d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_cf52ff11-d35d-4ba7-9c12-275ab31a30fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_aac54178-d8ac-4587-9494-d2686f5c370d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_a3149c9d-ac6a-43f8-a8c2-65fe536334a1" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsLineItems_cf52ff11-d35d-4ba7-9c12-275ab31a30fc" xlink:to="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_a3149c9d-ac6a-43f8-a8c2-65fe536334a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramAxis_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SupplyChainProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsTable_a3149c9d-ac6a-43f8-a8c2-65fe536334a1" xlink:to="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramAxis_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942_default" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramAxis_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942" xlink:to="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain_fa1df561-bbae-46bc-9fa2-30e4f15fb1c8" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramAxis_99890ae6-0179-4724-9bb8-0a1ca40a5942" xlink:to="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain_fa1df561-bbae-46bc-9fa2-30e4f15fb1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SCFMemberMember_7621f128-d7e2-4ab2-aa4c-41fad8ae968c" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SCFMemberMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_SupplyChainProgramDomain_fa1df561-bbae-46bc-9fa2-30e4f15fb1c8" xlink:to="loc_cri_SCFMemberMember_7621f128-d7e2-4ab2-aa4c-41fad8ae968c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONScheduleofDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#REVENUERECOGNITIONScheduleofDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONScheduleofDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i67e65696adec4761b7f4276561c74488_REVENUERECOGNITIONScheduleofDisaggregatedRevenuesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_006f3e64-cb8f-4f40-a0bb-537794c33451" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_006f3e64-cb8f-4f40-a0bb-537794c33451" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RoyaltyIncomeFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssess_87345e51-42e5-444d-8b5e-4798f779326b" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_RoyaltyIncomeFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_cri_RoyaltyIncomeFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssess_87345e51-42e5-444d-8b5e-4798f779326b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_18024aba-75f0-490c-8594-c421bbddc530" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_18024aba-75f0-490c-8594-c421bbddc530" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_817b5925-194d-4c60-8398-e45cf36a9b7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_817b5925-194d-4c60-8398-e45cf36a9b7c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_282f4155-be43-4e95-a10d-044bcb55d4e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_282f4155-be43-4e95-a10d-044bcb55d4e7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_b1ab9e31-3bab-4b19-9611-ed41dbb5edd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4568922b-ebc9-4906-8b93-86157cef2898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_b1ab9e31-3bab-4b19-9611-ed41dbb5edd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_b1ab9e31-3bab-4b19-9611-ed41dbb5edd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ab6a318c-8c7e-4a7c-9d2d-c6006938a7e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_b3357cc8-7551-4ade-9e97-ab94d72b207c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ab6a318c-8c7e-4a7c-9d2d-c6006938a7e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_sic_Z5130_5a56b4fd-04ef-474c-a113-aad6bf9d944a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2021/sic-2021.xsd#sic_Z5130"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ab6a318c-8c7e-4a7c-9d2d-c6006938a7e7" xlink:to="loc_sic_Z5130_5a56b4fd-04ef-474c-a113-aad6bf9d944a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_sic_Z5600_143cac25-8b47-44bf-93bf-bd8c2437012a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2021/sic-2021.xsd#sic_Z5600"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ab6a318c-8c7e-4a7c-9d2d-c6006938a7e7" xlink:to="loc_sic_Z5600_143cac25-8b47-44bf-93bf-bd8c2437012a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember_9f5b4f61-bde2-4f7a-b9f7-a159374de627" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_ab6a318c-8c7e-4a7c-9d2d-c6006938a7e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember_9f5b4f61-bde2-4f7a-b9f7-a159374de627" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_b1ab9e31-3bab-4b19-9611-ed41dbb5edd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_43e1c886-2f63-4410-9eff-c7363e4639db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_cd50c571-9562-45da-aea6-2036dfc057dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_43e1c886-2f63-4410-9eff-c7363e4639db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_276d60bb-e8fc-44a2-9fd1-caadde502472" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_43e1c886-2f63-4410-9eff-c7363e4639db" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_276d60bb-e8fc-44a2-9fd1-caadde502472" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_2e183eea-9b46-42fe-8a2f-e10e9a99b771" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_43e1c886-2f63-4410-9eff-c7363e4639db" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_2e183eea-9b46-42fe-8a2f-e10e9a99b771" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalMember_de213d2e-ec86-44fd-ae21-3758969c9032" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_InternationalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_43e1c886-2f63-4410-9eff-c7363e4639db" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalMember_de213d2e-ec86-44fd-ae21-3758969c9032" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_b1ab9e31-3bab-4b19-9611-ed41dbb5edd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_547e280f-ce31-414f-b6b4-3c3afe98c9ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_7f7c5001-a10a-4754-b238-9245c5d2104f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_7f7c5001-a10a-4754-b238-9245c5d2104f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_7cd9bf92-4551-42f1-b65b-ae06e1d11641" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:to="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_7cd9bf92-4551-42f1-b65b-ae06e1d11641" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_4bf5d603-1314-4fb1-97cc-8a32168bd683" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:to="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_4bf5d603-1314-4fb1-97cc-8a32168bd683" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_ee232c96-b057-433b-85f8-bab370487f4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_cc9f507d-dd97-41dd-bb4b-f41bed8bf5c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_ee232c96-b057-433b-85f8-bab370487f4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#LONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongtermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib6db70f47abc41efab25ad28fbad6cf5_LONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongtermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2864486a-9b84-4517-884a-45b06c825313" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2864486a-9b84-4517-884a-45b06c825313" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_dbf53ea5-a60d-44a7-afc2-c320ebcdab72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_dbf53ea5-a60d-44a7-afc2-c320ebcdab72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_d07c3f5f-70f1-4156-ba5f-47cbe9ed09b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_d07c3f5f-70f1-4156-ba5f-47cbe9ed09b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_4ecf8163-b83e-4096-89d8-01b4bd128dcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_4ecf8163-b83e-4096-89d8-01b4bd128dcf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_04700546-aaef-4f9c-9b70-5f9f2b0ed40b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_04700546-aaef-4f9c-9b70-5f9f2b0ed40b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7211ebbb-60d5-402b-9648-72942f6fe042" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_7211ebbb-60d5-402b-9648-72942f6fe042" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deac7f59-cbe2-4432-a671-96f63bffb43d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5ce83a0a-bf4a-43ed-9da9-b88d1e678cad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deac7f59-cbe2-4432-a671-96f63bffb43d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deac7f59-cbe2-4432-a671-96f63bffb43d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f3bbe43a-47dd-4b28-ab6a-db0ad188f5d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_37806dd0-9241-4287-8eeb-0c26f89bfd89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f3bbe43a-47dd-4b28-ab6a-db0ad188f5d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_ebfa9de0-0cb1-41b3-90d9-1ec6fa6141c4" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f3bbe43a-47dd-4b28-ab6a-db0ad188f5d9" xlink:to="loc_cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_ebfa9de0-0cb1-41b3-90d9-1ec6fa6141c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deac7f59-cbe2-4432-a671-96f63bffb43d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d250f108-ab47-4e3c-85e8-dbc48a708323" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_526cee30-259f-4bb3-968d-148430693407" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d250f108-ab47-4e3c-85e8-dbc48a708323" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_035b66fc-38db-45e2-a4c7-10175a5183fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d250f108-ab47-4e3c-85e8-dbc48a708323" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_035b66fc-38db-45e2-a4c7-10175a5183fc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_347cd804-4aeb-4a4d-9de5-022343a4d6c9" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d250f108-ab47-4e3c-85e8-dbc48a708323" xlink:to="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_347cd804-4aeb-4a4d-9de5-022343a4d6c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_d41198cd-716b-4a57-8843-04c41ea81f96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d250f108-ab47-4e3c-85e8-dbc48a708323" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_d41198cd-716b-4a57-8843-04c41ea81f96" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#LONGTERMDEBTNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie0a1b0d6ab9f4148aab3d682febbb20b_LONGTERMDEBTNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_dc30c80b-867b-43e9-b265-2819b47407f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_dc30c80b-867b-43e9-b265-2819b47407f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_820aeda6-3a6d-4620-aa9e-36e0c3bbab15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_820aeda6-3a6d-4620-aa9e-36e0c3bbab15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_74d185f6-11c9-4671-8533-a8b5d9e19ed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_74d185f6-11c9-4671-8533-a8b5d9e19ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_1a6bfc6d-3b84-481a-924c-16d29af8a338" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_1a6bfc6d-3b84-481a-924c-16d29af8a338" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_508df22e-9cf2-4594-83f1-b64e0afa4f98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_508df22e-9cf2-4594-83f1-b64e0afa4f98" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_2d47cfd8-15b7-4da6-840a-481357e6f82e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_2d47cfd8-15b7-4da6-840a-481357e6f82e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_91611dcc-73ea-4769-9482-591d03048798" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_fc415e9f-84b0-49c6-bf5b-96d516ad7d9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_91611dcc-73ea-4769-9482-591d03048798" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_91611dcc-73ea-4769-9482-591d03048798" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b10906f1-3a1a-4390-bc1d-265cb3429887" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_84c71075-169a-4e4b-84ce-c828b1b12782" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b10906f1-3a1a-4390-bc1d-265cb3429887" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c114e732-a1c9-4c08-8613-b0a97003b170" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b10906f1-3a1a-4390-bc1d-265cb3429887" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c114e732-a1c9-4c08-8613-b0a97003b170" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_91611dcc-73ea-4769-9482-591d03048798" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_009f922a-b4e7-405c-beb3-4ff482109bc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_b37a9f4a-0035-46dd-b293-a895e1dd3f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_009f922a-b4e7-405c-beb3-4ff482109bc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_71b322ab-39b2-4320-954f-3b75072f15a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_009f922a-b4e7-405c-beb3-4ff482109bc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_71b322ab-39b2-4320-954f-3b75072f15a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_12a0bdc4-d929-41f5-9aff-60152f98afe8" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_009f922a-b4e7-405c-beb3-4ff482109bc8" xlink:to="loc_cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_12a0bdc4-d929-41f5-9aff-60152f98afe8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_91611dcc-73ea-4769-9482-591d03048798" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_de0210b2-6aca-4bb2-b3b2-b00f643777a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a3252e5e-eed8-4c97-86e7-d1135b128818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_de0210b2-6aca-4bb2-b3b2-b00f643777a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityMember_af2f8e83-a42e-4891-81d0-18019d656253" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_de0210b2-6aca-4bb2-b3b2-b00f643777a7" xlink:to="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityMember_af2f8e83-a42e-4891-81d0-18019d656253" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7bb44079-c1d7-4906-ae56-fb49e567c207" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_de0210b2-6aca-4bb2-b3b2-b00f643777a7" xlink:to="loc_cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_7bb44079-c1d7-4906-ae56-fb49e567c207" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member_65d19cf9-f310-440a-bb38-388b25cd9346" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_de0210b2-6aca-4bb2-b3b2-b00f643777a7" xlink:to="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member_65d19cf9-f310-440a-bb38-388b25cd9346" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i10b2c165e9344c958332389af61ea97e_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_a0f99a26-40d3-43f0-bd49-fcb3b4e2b0dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_a0f99a26-40d3-43f0-bd49-fcb3b4e2b0dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementPriorPeriodNoncashExpense_0a3609f2-49d8-4e50-868a-ce14f3968426" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementPriorPeriodNoncashExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_cri_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementPriorPeriodNoncashExpense_0a3609f2-49d8-4e50-868a-ce14f3968426" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_9a46e536-f6b7-464e-9ce0-6809e59403c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_9a46e536-f6b7-464e-9ce0-6809e59403c3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bbee0897-c411-4d62-8d8f-355fc4f051ec" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_cri_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bbee0897-c411-4d62-8d8f-355fc4f051ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_73f9f9d2-c5e0-422e-85a3-14d9a3cf7575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_73f9f9d2-c5e0-422e-85a3-14d9a3cf7575" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_81fb9599-3f8d-4111-ba8e-5287390de007" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_600da15d-9458-4667-9aa5-5769760b0905" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_81fb9599-3f8d-4111-ba8e-5287390de007" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_81fb9599-3f8d-4111-ba8e-5287390de007" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9347a47c-d68b-47be-bafd-97f7119a3acc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81e42318-2cb2-4941-8f81-f9a94f2ae8f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9347a47c-d68b-47be-bafd-97f7119a3acc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_b400b9c7-2021-4215-975c-e85ee860dde2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9347a47c-d68b-47be-bafd-97f7119a3acc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_b400b9c7-2021-4215-975c-e85ee860dde2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TimeBasedAwardsMember_46dc7eb8-ab4e-4201-b683-97e34677e057" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_TimeBasedAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9347a47c-d68b-47be-bafd-97f7119a3acc" xlink:to="loc_cri_TimeBasedAwardsMember_46dc7eb8-ab4e-4201-b683-97e34677e057" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_a797ab48-4549-423a-83e7-06f45ef5b9a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9347a47c-d68b-47be-bafd-97f7119a3acc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_a797ab48-4549-423a-83e7-06f45ef5b9a2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i053b322332c9422d8de1d529f32df73d_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b4b2c443-7d91-439e-84e7-f7718dd5cb09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_ae55b657-bb98-47c1-8774-898c06cb6d46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b4b2c443-7d91-439e-84e7-f7718dd5cb09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_ae55b657-bb98-47c1-8774-898c06cb6d46" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_4e952e85-9c56-47b6-b373-0f98e1f6cf77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b4b2c443-7d91-439e-84e7-f7718dd5cb09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_4e952e85-9c56-47b6-b373-0f98e1f6cf77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_726829ae-8740-4894-8041-96ed2d4555d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b4b2c443-7d91-439e-84e7-f7718dd5cb09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_726829ae-8740-4894-8041-96ed2d4555d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_726829ae-8740-4894-8041-96ed2d4555d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8c20267b-3b3d-4445-9f51-a8cf0e243593" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_4d06a7ab-b5bd-483a-928c-3bfba6749c5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8c20267b-3b3d-4445-9f51-a8cf0e243593" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_5727478c-a846-4e25-a953-3c134ae268e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8c20267b-3b3d-4445-9f51-a8cf0e243593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_5727478c-a846-4e25-a953-3c134ae268e2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5d95fb30a21b495fba546dd2083b3275_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0a23f7e4-2d1f-45bd-b293-4f4c4f3bfaf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_0095cad5-2f8e-417e-a4cb-4ff4084ce588" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0a23f7e4-2d1f-45bd-b293-4f4c4f3bfaf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_0095cad5-2f8e-417e-a4cb-4ff4084ce588" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_21bbe224-0b04-48b1-ac16-304b10e58a0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0a23f7e4-2d1f-45bd-b293-4f4c4f3bfaf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_21bbe224-0b04-48b1-ac16-304b10e58a0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_0d578a63-6093-410e-8702-256bb12cea66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0a23f7e4-2d1f-45bd-b293-4f4c4f3bfaf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_0d578a63-6093-410e-8702-256bb12cea66" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3402d0a7-0255-4b51-b2f2-904beb5672d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0a23f7e4-2d1f-45bd-b293-4f4c4f3bfaf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3402d0a7-0255-4b51-b2f2-904beb5672d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3402d0a7-0255-4b51-b2f2-904beb5672d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2fd40c6e-7a11-4523-a464-53ebadef1cd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_dc84b77f-0ea5-4c9f-9e5b-2514b7495a5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2fd40c6e-7a11-4523-a464-53ebadef1cd3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8af0e499-a57f-47d9-b0ab-0755554e3ce3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2fd40c6e-7a11-4523-a464-53ebadef1cd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_8af0e499-a57f-47d9-b0ab-0755554e3ce3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_528ede9b-697f-4833-a77d-14b5641570b4" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2fd40c6e-7a11-4523-a464-53ebadef1cd3" xlink:to="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_528ede9b-697f-4833-a77d-14b5641570b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillIntangibleandLongLivedTangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillIntangibleandLongLivedTangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillIntangibleandLongLivedTangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c7d2f492d3c46e7bbf1050e6cfb23ac_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSGoodwillIntangibleandLongLivedTangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e8e86058-1e00-4418-9497-5e66b0f1e550" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_6a3669ab-74e6-4ebc-9705-dc09f00aab80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e8e86058-1e00-4418-9497-5e66b0f1e550" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_6a3669ab-74e6-4ebc-9705-dc09f00aab80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_9e91f6bd-6e3f-47b6-8ad7-e3d13cf0735d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e8e86058-1e00-4418-9497-5e66b0f1e550" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_9e91f6bd-6e3f-47b6-8ad7-e3d13cf0735d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_a97cb773-b114-4ea6-a993-b0a2600abdf2" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_e8e86058-1e00-4418-9497-5e66b0f1e550" xlink:to="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_a97cb773-b114-4ea6-a993-b0a2600abdf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_a97cb773-b114-4ea6-a993-b0a2600abdf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_8cb50c55-d30d-4664-b6b5-d29ff25f909c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_14adc4e6-6b4a-4a17-91e8-b4f6ce2354e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_8cb50c55-d30d-4664-b6b5-d29ff25f909c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_4ef75d13-cc46-4810-80ce-d96908c48c0b" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_8cb50c55-d30d-4664-b6b5-d29ff25f909c" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_4ef75d13-cc46-4810-80ce-d96908c48c0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_a97cb773-b114-4ea6-a993-b0a2600abdf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4d454059-df4b-4891-83cf-0546f3dd38b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3e385df9-fe06-4b0a-bd75-2bee50dbbda2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4d454059-df4b-4891-83cf-0546f3dd38b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_f4b4f58c-39b7-4f7d-93e2-31b9c6fda599" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4d454059-df4b-4891-83cf-0546f3dd38b9" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_f4b4f58c-39b7-4f7d-93e2-31b9c6fda599" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_6e170fdd-2294-4eca-890e-48face4d01e2" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_InternationalSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4d454059-df4b-4891-83cf-0546f3dd38b9" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_6e170fdd-2294-4eca-890e-48face4d01e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_6dda4b72-7dbd-4e1f-a316-e2f9b4a278af" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4d454059-df4b-4891-83cf-0546f3dd38b9" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_6dda4b72-7dbd-4e1f-a316-e2f9b4a278af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia29745259552465c976500d151b1d028_OTHERCURRENTLIABILITIESDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityUnredeemedGiftCardsCurrent_c04f2094-a6b9-48d0-b27e-94a16d9b406e" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityUnredeemedGiftCardsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_cri_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityUnredeemedGiftCardsCurrent_c04f2094-a6b9-48d0-b27e-94a16d9b406e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedEmployeeBenefitsCurrent_65358535-ab94-490d-9ab0-ca61f7f8ee6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedEmployeeBenefitsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedEmployeeBenefitsCurrent_65358535-ab94-490d-9ab0-ca61f7f8ee6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent_265846a9-b28d-459c-80eb-0663aadf9d2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent_265846a9-b28d-459c-80eb-0663aadf9d2e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesAndExciseTaxPayableCurrent_37d7b68a-8c84-4bf5-8bbe-abe2637624a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesAndExciseTaxPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesAndExciseTaxPayableCurrent_37d7b68a-8c84-4bf5-8bbe-abe2637624a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedSalariesCurrent_9ec476f6-3143-4b0f-b721-dc75f5eed52d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedSalariesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedSalariesCurrent_9ec476f6-3143-4b0f-b721-dc75f5eed52d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent_86343bb0-eb98-4039-9499-3e479b53a5fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent_86343bb0-eb98-4039-9499-3e479b53a5fc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_747c1a2e-02f2-4791-8281-02ba19655db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_747c1a2e-02f2-4791-8281-02ba19655db2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_5fdbd688-71a9-4a9d-85b2-94fd8dd6e525" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_5fdbd688-71a9-4a9d-85b2-94fd8dd6e525" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_74ea5134-939f-48f0-93cc-64f58cd48772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_74ea5134-939f-48f0-93cc-64f58cd48772" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_10a99abc-757a-403b-b64c-c3529d972072" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_10a99abc-757a-403b-b64c-c3529d972072" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_43d8e9c4-a088-4748-a3a3-25ed4daab64e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_b0e662af-d821-4bef-96f4-74e78e5de6a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_43d8e9c4-a088-4748-a3a3-25ed4daab64e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_43d8e9c4-a088-4748-a3a3-25ed4daab64e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f6ad7863-39b6-461b-8185-dbe87608edd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_7224d6a5-d61f-4b5b-b8af-d7386eb94b45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f6ad7863-39b6-461b-8185-dbe87608edd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_77d7b89e-85d6-4cdb-adc6-55d6a7fdd94c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f6ad7863-39b6-461b-8185-dbe87608edd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_77d7b89e-85d6-4cdb-adc6-55d6a7fdd94c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_43d8e9c4-a088-4748-a3a3-25ed4daab64e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2aca871b-1f8b-4c4c-9ebc-fc7cc15679b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e12ffa25-4387-4508-97ea-24cc09559048" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2aca871b-1f8b-4c4c-9ebc-fc7cc15679b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_FivePointFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwentyTwentyFiveMember_1523190a-fdaa-46ae-b595-4e95fbb5c1e8" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_FivePointFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwentyTwentyFiveMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_2aca871b-1f8b-4c4c-9ebc-fc7cc15679b4" xlink:to="loc_cri_FivePointFivePercentSeniorNotesDueTwentyTwentyFiveMember_1523190a-fdaa-46ae-b595-4e95fbb5c1e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://ir.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://ir.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia193d14e392947d5bba74ce5af4500d0_SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_a7aa9e81-5eba-41ab-99c0-e409bd6b3fea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_a7aa9e81-5eba-41ab-99c0-e409bd6b3fea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_e9e59bd6-1a29-4d4c-96b4-ff55259613f7" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_e9e59bd6-1a29-4d4c-96b4-ff55259613f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_5166c877-baa1-4b0d-8271-1e6fc1e82f2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_5166c877-baa1-4b0d-8271-1e6fc1e82f2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2819d40e-cbdd-4eb0-bda4-0b07ed8deb86" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_CorporateExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2819d40e-cbdd-4eb0-bda4-0b07ed8deb86" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_64cd95fa-0f90-44ad-befb-c701f1adb937" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_64cd95fa-0f90-44ad-befb-c701f1adb937" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GainOnOrganizationalRestructuring_fa265723-035d-442c-98a9-2c1309caa988" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_GainOnOrganizationalRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_cri_GainOnOrganizationalRestructuring_fa265723-035d-442c-98a9-2c1309caa988" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_d93bebd5-2011-4b57-883f-5e7c9e1efa96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_d93bebd5-2011-4b57-883f-5e7c9e1efa96" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_2c5f11f6-f612-4664-85d6-c84859266791" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_2d27943f-c374-4933-b905-9c23899d5d04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_2c5f11f6-f612-4664-85d6-c84859266791" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_2c5f11f6-f612-4664-85d6-c84859266791" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fae13b43-84ba-4a05-be42-fb1fc36380d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_92d9c1dd-1eb5-4e17-b3f1-ab41ffcf1534" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fae13b43-84ba-4a05-be42-fb1fc36380d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_1d0c220e-d729-4ec4-afce-bff9210d3550" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fae13b43-84ba-4a05-be42-fb1fc36380d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_1d0c220e-d729-4ec4-afce-bff9210d3550" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_2c5f11f6-f612-4664-85d6-c84859266791" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0e94f9e7-5aac-46bd-8819-a17461311a47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_b6517a98-f9bc-4786-9508-8b997832ea45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0e94f9e7-5aac-46bd-8819-a17461311a47" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_da722b85-b69a-405e-a3b9-84e79ddca7d1" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0e94f9e7-5aac-46bd-8819-a17461311a47" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_da722b85-b69a-405e-a3b9-84e79ddca7d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_3d9fa6ff-7a2d-4f1d-9bee-da0a6b2a3822" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0e94f9e7-5aac-46bd-8819-a17461311a47" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_3d9fa6ff-7a2d-4f1d-9bee-da0a6b2a3822" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_a1f8bf31-9cde-42af-8ea0-8d8a35b81ec5" xlink:href="cri-20230401.xsd#cri_InternationalSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0e94f9e7-5aac-46bd-8819-a17461311a47" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_a1f8bf31-9cde-42af-8ea0-8d8a35b81ec5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
