<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStock" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CommonStock" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStockTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CommonStockTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/Company" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#Company" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CompanyDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CompanyDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsBorrowingsDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsHierarchyDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsHierarchyDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsInvestmentsDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/Leases" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#Leases" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LeasesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseCommitmentsDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LeasesLeaseCommitmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseCostDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LeasesLeaseCostDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseMaturityDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LeasesLeaseMaturityDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LeasesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebt" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LongTermDebt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#LongTermDebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilities" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilities" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/PendingAdoptionOfRecentAccountingPronouncements" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#PendingAdoptionOfRecentAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionContractLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#RevenueRecognitionContractLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#RevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNotes" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#RevenueRecognitionNotes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#SegmentInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_FDABCCA134D7D4202632064675887830" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_687FEC19FF1C77A80695064675875137" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_FDABCCA134D7D4202632064675887830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_687FEC19FF1C77A80695064675875137" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_E7F79FA56B4E10377ECB064675871245" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_687FEC19FF1C77A80695064675875137" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_E7F79FA56B4E10377ECB064675871245" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_E7F79FA56B4E10377ECB064675871245" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_E7F79FA56B4E10377ECB064675871245" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_35B693A8819CEC6F0AD006467588BCD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_35B693A8819CEC6F0AD006467588BCD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_42097932947E984AD6610646758857A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_A04DC3E71DBC160815CD0646758775AE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_42097932947E984AD6610646758857A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_E008884FC03C0166159D06467588172E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_FDABCCA134D7D4202632064675887830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_E008884FC03C0166159D06467588172E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_B27C399D0F936178FCE106467589530D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_FDABCCA134D7D4202632064675887830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_B27C399D0F936178FCE106467589530D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_31BF25AC38175CF7724C06467589925E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_FDABCCA134D7D4202632064675887830" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_31BF25AC38175CF7724C06467589925E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/BasisOfPresentation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/BasisOfPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStock" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStockShareRepurchasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CommonStockTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/Company" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CompanyDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_A5975932ED946DD1042BF68CA4900DC1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_51AA9D78DE16E8061A2AF68CA48C6A50" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_A5975932ED946DD1042BF68CA4900DC1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_51AA9D78DE16E8061A2AF68CA48C6A50" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_49E259389BC62DF56FC0F68CA48EB934" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_51AA9D78DE16E8061A2AF68CA48C6A50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_49E259389BC62DF56FC0F68CA48EB934" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_49E259389BC62DF56FC0F68CA48EB934" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_49E259389BC62DF56FC0F68CA48EB934" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_F346EC6E761471E58E3EF68CA48E9F12" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_F346EC6E761471E58E3EF68CA48E9F12" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_3D7DB61112B0297113B7F68CA48FFE52" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_3D7DB61112B0297113B7F68CA48FFE52" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_58E42FDDCAF2027C9F88F68CA490AC0D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_58E42FDDCAF2027C9F88F68CA490AC0D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_FEDC78E8F5EBDD06585EF68CA4908AE0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C5EA2549D8C13723A8EDF68CA48E23B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_FEDC78E8F5EBDD06585EF68CA4908AE0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_A5975932ED946DD1042BF68CA4900DC1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_396D35E4930CE4690F40F68CA49087C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_396D35E4930CE4690F40F68CA49087C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_C1BD97EC8B0A20EDC804F68CA4916AD4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_C1BD97EC8B0A20EDC804F68CA4916AD4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_766E1A54AD81742B7A38F68CA49111AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_766E1A54AD81742B7A38F68CA49111AD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_731A4646081CCC1A0718F68CA49584BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_731A4646081CCC1A0718F68CA49584BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_803752680C8A70899654F68CA4955182" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_803752680C8A70899654F68CA4955182" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_06C8A9623DF74100D7C6F68CA4955DF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_06C8A9623DF74100D7C6F68CA4955DF5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_E5496D2A2150B567307AF68CA4951E32" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_E5496D2A2150B567307AF68CA4951E32" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_7D1F646397D468145AC3F68CA49548FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_7D1F646397D468145AC3F68CA49548FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_AB6370D01AFDC3C05B13F68CA49628FE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_AB6370D01AFDC3C05B13F68CA49628FE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_71EE6498F56B3763FD50F68CA49658B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_71EE6498F56B3763FD50F68CA49658B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_949B9A4EC590F14DDFD6F68CA496C4D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_949B9A4EC590F14DDFD6F68CA496C4D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_332C0686E4C612D46227F68CA49641CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_332C0686E4C612D46227F68CA49641CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_E49233241AFBA52003AFF68CA497E1F4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_E49233241AFBA52003AFF68CA497E1F4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_8B6C6FC7CBADED143173F68CA4974C9C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_055B9EC487D397530F60F68CA4901105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification_8B6C6FC7CBADED143173F68CA4974C9C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_89A42DD19F2A4BA3426DDBD9A496B808" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_89A42DD19F2A4BA3426DDBD9A496B808" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_143AF9B3ED0C72E09B43DBD9A496224F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_89A42DD19F2A4BA3426DDBD9A496B808" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_143AF9B3ED0C72E09B43DBD9A496224F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_28DEC10CBC14F243EFB5DBD9A4963FEF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_143AF9B3ED0C72E09B43DBD9A496224F" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_28DEC10CBC14F243EFB5DBD9A4963FEF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_28DEC10CBC14F243EFB5DBD9A4963FEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_143AF9B3ED0C72E09B43DBD9A496224F" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_28DEC10CBC14F243EFB5DBD9A4963FEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RoyaltyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyMember_3BB82B06AEED84CAF27EDBD9A4966E7B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_28DEC10CBC14F243EFB5DBD9A4963FEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyMember_3BB82B06AEED84CAF27EDBD9A4966E7B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_B710F254510015BEF4C6DBD9A4967ADE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_B710F254510015BEF4C6DBD9A4967ADE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_995909FF85E1C17086D7DBD9A4964309" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_995909FF85E1C17086D7DBD9A4964309" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_F8E3F5684561C3DC610BDBD9A4962028" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_F8E3F5684561C3DC610BDBD9A4962028" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_76CF7B3215F433894459DBD9A4963204" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_76CF7B3215F433894459DBD9A4963204" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_DFDBC3DCDE75B799D4FADBD9A49634F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_DFDBC3DCDE75B799D4FADBD9A49634F9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_EA3208F44BCC38CC7549DBD9A496D2FC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_EA3208F44BCC38CC7549DBD9A496D2FC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_E6C4E87E002E02EBB64CDBD9A496B1F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_E6C4E87E002E02EBB64CDBD9A496B1F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_520ABE6159A63E17B089DBD9A496E8C8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_520ABE6159A63E17B089DBD9A496E8C8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_F8A8AF7AD6AB455FF8E2DBD9A49687C1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_F8A8AF7AD6AB455FF8E2DBD9A49687C1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_A30F9A670DD2CD81B998DBD9A496F7AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_A30F9A670DD2CD81B998DBD9A496F7AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_CA05160BA4A95DC05B75DBD9A496651D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_CA05160BA4A95DC05B75DBD9A496651D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_5CB6DE85D0E01855B8CADBD9A4A66DA4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_5CB6DE85D0E01855B8CADBD9A4A66DA4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_12B56432EC69C73BEFB3DBD9A4A6DE64" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_12B56432EC69C73BEFB3DBD9A4A6DE64" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_AF9384C49C1CA31123E0DBD9A4A63152" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_AF9384C49C1CA31123E0DBD9A4A63152" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_AC94FF14C11A45FB4193DBD9A4A65982" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_AC94FF14C11A45FB4193DBD9A4A65982" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_B430D36C2D348C829A61DBD9A4A698D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5E4630D9F6E319481A58DBD9A4969F67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_B430D36C2D348C829A61DBD9A4A698D8" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_88E6E10567EC441E1921DBD9A477C515" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_88E6E10567EC441E1921DBD9A477C515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_970E2E9F4FD92363FF48DBD9A4679626" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_970E2E9F4FD92363FF48DBD9A4679626" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_837569226FF93B629B4EDBD9A46700CD_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_970E2E9F4FD92363FF48DBD9A4679626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_837569226FF93B629B4EDBD9A46700CD_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_837569226FF93B629B4EDBD9A46700CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_970E2E9F4FD92363FF48DBD9A4679626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_837569226FF93B629B4EDBD9A46700CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9278F39F8AC9DF64ED41DBD9A4671481" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_837569226FF93B629B4EDBD9A46700CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9278F39F8AC9DF64ED41DBD9A4671481" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_ED993C4DEC3A621CD494DBD9A46730CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_ED993C4DEC3A621CD494DBD9A46730CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_65B5AA60D5A1D4D236FFDBD9A467B6ED_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_ED993C4DEC3A621CD494DBD9A46730CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_65B5AA60D5A1D4D236FFDBD9A467B6ED_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_E788D2CA2959BED1854DDBD9A4676B51" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_ED993C4DEC3A621CD494DBD9A46730CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_E788D2CA2959BED1854DDBD9A4676B51" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_65B5AA60D5A1D4D236FFDBD9A467B6ED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_E788D2CA2959BED1854DDBD9A4676B51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_65B5AA60D5A1D4D236FFDBD9A467B6ED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_83EA96019A607E1551F7DBD9A467538B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_65B5AA60D5A1D4D236FFDBD9A467B6ED" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_83EA96019A607E1551F7DBD9A467538B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_69A41178815F20655337DBD9A4673BDD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_69A41178815F20655337DBD9A4673BDD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BEF49840F10AF8F117A4DBD9A467A0CF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_69A41178815F20655337DBD9A4673BDD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BEF49840F10AF8F117A4DBD9A467A0CF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BEF49840F10AF8F117A4DBD9A467A0CF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_69A41178815F20655337DBD9A4673BDD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BEF49840F10AF8F117A4DBD9A467A0CF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_93A61709D2AA8062531ADBD9A4673180" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BEF49840F10AF8F117A4DBD9A467A0CF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_93A61709D2AA8062531ADBD9A4673180" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_897629A1578344D61BACDBD9A467C186" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_77AA664DFE2166AE4F40DBD9A4676CBC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_897629A1578344D61BACDBD9A467C186" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_897629A1578344D61BACDBD9A467C186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_897629A1578344D61BACDBD9A467C186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_5077A9C838D60889406BDBD9A46742E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_5077A9C838D60889406BDBD9A46742E4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_5FD36B1D3FD47C94CF36DBD9A477F5D4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_326E513E161BA02943AADBD9A4676D4E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_5FD36B1D3FD47C94CF36DBD9A477F5D4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_33F6DA86C211590ABD90DBD9A4776B2D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_88E6E10567EC441E1921DBD9A477C515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_33F6DA86C211590ABD90DBD9A4776B2D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_87E3B0246A6202469193DBD9A4772E65" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_88E6E10567EC441E1921DBD9A477C515" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_87E3B0246A6202469193DBD9A4772E65" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsHierarchyDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_B6DC9C024C39686EB769DBD9A687DD60" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_30C136394D84DB0B658CDBD9A6875F8A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_B6DC9C024C39686EB769DBD9A687DD60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_30C136394D84DB0B658CDBD9A6875F8A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_D294CCE7396D9604ABF1DBD9A68780E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_30C136394D84DB0B658CDBD9A6875F8A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_D294CCE7396D9604ABF1DBD9A68780E0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_5B430AE7CD68F52A6947DBD9A687540C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_D294CCE7396D9604ABF1DBD9A68780E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_5B430AE7CD68F52A6947DBD9A687540C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_5B430AE7CD68F52A6947DBD9A687540C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_D294CCE7396D9604ABF1DBD9A68780E0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_5B430AE7CD68F52A6947DBD9A687540C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_404C225560ED3B804AEADBD9A6878F89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_5B430AE7CD68F52A6947DBD9A687540C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_404C225560ED3B804AEADBD9A6878F89" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_1EFF2409BF19EBC00EDFDBD9A687B881" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_B6DC9C024C39686EB769DBD9A687DD60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_1EFF2409BF19EBC00EDFDBD9A687B881" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_FC3ABD62D0ED307DEFCDDBD9A6C6B2DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_FC3ABD62D0ED307DEFCDDBD9A6C6B2DD" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_571796E70F01B12A9CE6DBD9A6C6494E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_FC3ABD62D0ED307DEFCDDBD9A6C6B2DD" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_571796E70F01B12A9CE6DBD9A6C6494E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_571796E70F01B12A9CE6DBD9A6C6494E" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_571796E70F01B12A9CE6DBD9A6C6494E" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_CC9FBB9CB3F8D0AAEF4DDBD9A6C60D96" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_CC9FBB9CB3F8D0AAEF4DDBD9A6C60D96" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_78167ACE8C77392E0F0BDBD9A6C6A203" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_A76BA942B36197920CEADBD9A6C67134" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_78167ACE8C77392E0F0BDBD9A6C6A203" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_F6EBCD6FCD3495FA9D91DBD9A6C63721" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_FC3ABD62D0ED307DEFCDDBD9A6C6B2DD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_F6EBCD6FCD3495FA9D91DBD9A6C63721" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_F6EBCD6FCD3495FA9D91DBD9A6C63721" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_F6EBCD6FCD3495FA9D91DBD9A6C63721" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_EE45151D9DBC1DC1A76CDBD9A6C6F060" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_EE45151D9DBC1DC1A76CDBD9A6C6F060" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_OtherTradenamesMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_OtherTradenamesMember_491D31FD1686011EAEAEDBD9A6D5E8AC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_EE45151D9DBC1DC1A76CDBD9A6C6F060" xlink:to="loc_cri_OtherTradenamesMember_491D31FD1686011EAEAEDBD9A6D5E8AC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_E528BC7D05C59E1178D4DBD9A6D5AD9E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_39276EF96231EADEAD49DBD9A6C6418D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_E528BC7D05C59E1178D4DBD9A6D5AD9E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember_069A53591F3B528067CCDBD9A6D59176" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_E528BC7D05C59E1178D4DBD9A6D5AD9E" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember_069A53591F3B528067CCDBD9A6D59176" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember_F771723FDED8EA8FCC99DBD9A6D5E417" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_E528BC7D05C59E1178D4DBD9A6D5AD9E" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember_F771723FDED8EA8FCC99DBD9A6D5E417" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C8851C5CAB4E83AB49ABDBD9A6D5373F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_FC3ABD62D0ED307DEFCDDBD9A6C6B2DD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C8851C5CAB4E83AB49ABDBD9A6D5373F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C8851C5CAB4E83AB49ABDBD9A6D5373F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_C8851C5CAB4E83AB49ABDBD9A6D5373F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CartersGoodwillMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersGoodwillMember_E695E443B8212CABFC24DBD9A6D5AF4A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersGoodwillMember_E695E443B8212CABFC24DBD9A6D5AF4A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CanadaAcquisitionGoodwillMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_CanadaAcquisitionGoodwillMember_0B420923936FE9B5F041DBD9A6D56A18" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_CanadaAcquisitionGoodwillMember_0B420923936FE9B5F041DBD9A6D56A18" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_SkipHopGoodwillMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopGoodwillMember_43DEA9CD507374037B01DBD9A6D5344F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopGoodwillMember_43DEA9CD507374037B01DBD9A6D5344F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CartersMexicoMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersMexicoMember_F7713340269853DCA1A8DBD9A6D574EF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersMexicoMember_F7713340269853DCA1A8DBD9A6D574EF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CartersTradeNameMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersTradeNameMember_8B69492CDB52E8C14E1BDBD9A6D574FA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersTradeNameMember_8B69492CDB52E8C14E1BDBD9A6D574FA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember_181688DB508B7DFC646BDBD9A6D5AD03" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember_181688DB508B7DFC646BDBD9A6D5AD03" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_5AF4F9DDF1946F2394B9DBD9A6D571A6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_CF067355D72273AB5A54DBD9A6D5C4CB" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_5AF4F9DDF1946F2394B9DBD9A6D571A6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_23A0F4C82CAE1215495DDBD9A6D56C59" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_23A0F4C82CAE1215495DDBD9A6D56C59" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_535C523D3F98191B8517DBD9A6D537CF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_535C523D3F98191B8517DBD9A6D537CF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_DAF0BDCA3C1BA0FECBB0DBD9A6D5A8B0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_DAF0BDCA3C1BA0FECBB0DBD9A6D5A8B0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_A1EE046B6B03630349B7DBD9A6D54F5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_A1EE046B6B03630349B7DBD9A6D54F5B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_B05A7BC77EDF3555C986DBD9A6D5E4F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_B05A7BC77EDF3555C986DBD9A6D5E4F9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_536B482CAE5C9E4D1DE9DBD9A6D591E2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_536B482CAE5C9E4D1DE9DBD9A6D591E2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_5FC0D3C0DEBBA2D90336DBD9A6D56205" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_5FC0D3C0DEBBA2D90336DBD9A6D56205" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" xlink:label="loc_cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_1CA08D71A1496A4E5149DBD9A6D5EA8D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_1CA08D71A1496A4E5149DBD9A6D5EA8D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_4979D3E35FD061BCB4B2DBD9A6D561EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_4979D3E35FD061BCB4B2DBD9A6D561EA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_E45558D85A2A8402CE76DBD9A6D5D7C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_B2E9A8707C511D340F24DBD9A6D5AADD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_E45558D85A2A8402CE76DBD9A6D5D7C9" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_5CC1EB21F77F4914217805148F4D2314" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_5CC1EB21F77F4914217805148F4D2314" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6BBFE95EB2B712ED0D1005148F4D8A74" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_5CC1EB21F77F4914217805148F4D2314" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6BBFE95EB2B712ED0D1005148F4D8A74" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6BBFE95EB2B712ED0D1005148F4D8A74" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6BBFE95EB2B712ED0D1005148F4D8A74" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_BAABB05234650E3C906A05148F4DAD85" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_BAABB05234650E3C906A05148F4DAD85" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_E3DF4DAFFA34D178F14C05148F4D1A05" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2DDC884933EAD39BBC0705148F4DF731" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_E3DF4DAFFA34D178F14C05148F4D1A05" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm_0C2DFC9A36B00B74602605148F4DDCB5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm_0C2DFC9A36B00B74602605148F4DDCB5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptiontoExtendTerm" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptiontoExtendTerm_E4BA66DB8C31958AB7D505148F4DDBE6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptiontoExtendTerm_E4BA66DB8C31958AB7D505148F4DDBE6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_A0BF9950DC2839DD334805148F4DDD49" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_A0BF9950DC2839DD334805148F4DDD49" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_8C5E4DB0537D8C7324BB05148F5C330F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_8C5E4DB0537D8C7324BB05148F5C330F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedLiabilityIncurred" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedLiabilityIncurred_3EF9381ECE7C787D37F905148F5CF1F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotyetCommencedLiabilityIncurred_3EF9381ECE7C787D37F905148F5CF1F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_0DD0168C4601B9372CF705148F5CF07F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_3AD936DF678446D9511105148F4DA9F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_0DD0168C4601B9372CF705148F5CF07F" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseCommitmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseCostDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesLeaseMaturityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_262B58E89BBF30FBFE92FC084B6B8211" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8AB991B5148493649740FC084B6B835C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_262B58E89BBF30FBFE92FC084B6B8211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8AB991B5148493649740FC084B6B835C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_D2D9A741CC8E643D8918FC084B6BF646" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_8AB991B5148493649740FC084B6B835C" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_D2D9A741CC8E643D8918FC084B6BF646" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_D2D9A741CC8E643D8918FC084B6BF646" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_D2D9A741CC8E643D8918FC084B6BF646" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_15665CB3A431D1614D90FC084B6B031E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_15665CB3A431D1614D90FC084B6B031E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_A6936E532A8EB3507265FC084B6BB51A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_0933C4D79BDFA86B9B9CFC084B6B4D46" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_A6936E532A8EB3507265FC084B6BB51A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm_C8B0FBECC20D3B9B7A3CFC084B6B5EA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_262B58E89BBF30FBFE92FC084B6B8211" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingRemainingLeaseTerm_C8B0FBECC20D3B9B7A3CFC084B6B5EA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_3C6E0FC3D69E253246C1FC084B6B277C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_262B58E89BBF30FBFE92FC084B6B8211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_3C6E0FC3D69E253246C1FC084B6B277C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3A3E6F045FD1D1D2C00F200F7BBB1E0D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3A3E6F045FD1D1D2C00F200F7BBB1E0D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3A3E6F045FD1D1D2C00F200F7BBB1E0D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3A3E6F045FD1D1D2C00F200F7BBB1E0D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_FivePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentyOneMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_FivePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentyOneMember_48F85EF195D642D1038F200F7BBB1739" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F" xlink:to="loc_cri_FivePointTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentyOneMember_48F85EF195D642D1038F200F7BBB1739" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_FivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentySevenMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_FivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentySevenMember_9877093ECFA79A3B87C5200F7BBCEC30" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3DE8DC9C9975FD58822A200F7BBB9D2F" xlink:to="loc_cri_FivePointSixTwoFivePercentSeniorNotesdueTwentyTwentySevenMember_9877093ECFA79A3B87C5200F7BBCEC30" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_4BA35860B02565BE2387200F7BBCB8E6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_4BA35860B02565BE2387200F7BBCB8E6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017/currency-2017-01-31.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_B77158E8FF5C1477B3CF200F7BBC8BED_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_4BA35860B02565BE2387200F7BBCB8E6" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_B77158E8FF5C1477B3CF200F7BBC8BED_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017/currency-2017-01-31.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_B77158E8FF5C1477B3CF200F7BBC8BED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_4BA35860B02565BE2387200F7BBCB8E6" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_B77158E8FF5C1477B3CF200F7BBC8BED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2017/currency-2017-01-31.xsd#currency_USD" xlink:label="loc_currency_USD_2447DE03EAC16D414570200F7BBC52FB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_B77158E8FF5C1477B3CF200F7BBC8BED" xlink:to="loc_currency_USD_2447DE03EAC16D414570200F7BBC52FB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9F5858964AD1474E90B9200F7BBDE6D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9F5858964AD1474E90B9200F7BBDE6D0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9F5858964AD1474E90B9200F7BBDE6D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9F5858964AD1474E90B9200F7BBDE6D0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1C4C2B5A1BE9CB77D43F200F7BBD9213" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1C4C2B5A1BE9CB77D43F200F7BBD9213" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_223B20350E50F262DB7A200F7BBD9B7B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0EEE169C712E8321044F200F7BBDCD83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_223B20350E50F262DB7A200F7BBD9B7B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_74A01ABC97D182AD6E78200F7BBDAEEE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_74A01ABC97D182AD6E78200F7BBDAEEE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_6724012ABEE10127084D200F7BBD7DEE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_74A01ABC97D182AD6E78200F7BBDAEEE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_6724012ABEE10127084D200F7BBD7DEE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_6724012ABEE10127084D200F7BBD7DEE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_74A01ABC97D182AD6E78200F7BBDAEEE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_6724012ABEE10127084D200F7BBD7DEE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_FF3E9EE6D5E93F2DC312200F7BBE8C7E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_FF3E9EE6D5E93F2DC312200F7BBE8C7E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_FF3E9EE6D5E93F2DC312200F7BBE8C7E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_FF3E9EE6D5E93F2DC312200F7BBE8C7E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_46C7A6A009A6658375CC200F7BBEC8E8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_46C7A6A009A6658375CC200F7BBEC8E8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_6E5E4E9DB6B9CD0A91B8200F7BBE850B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_32B6B686B184817648BA200F7BBE40DA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_6E5E4E9DB6B9CD0A91B8200F7BBE850B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6213C8C077C51B0BF044200F7BBF9DFE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_189509C02510AD6E6124200F7BBB15CC" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6213C8C077C51B0BF044200F7BBF9DFE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6213C8C077C51B0BF044200F7BBF9DFE" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6213C8C077C51B0BF044200F7BBF9DFE" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_DF20E5D219940160926B200F7BBFEAD8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_DF20E5D219940160926B200F7BBFEAD8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_F30E10E9614F6DF34331200F7BBFE45C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_76BC27E66F419FDB6908200F7BBFA35C" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_F30E10E9614F6DF34331200F7BBFE45C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_3EA87CE36D6DFCF83170200F7BC09C5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_3EA87CE36D6DFCF83170200F7BC09C5B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_C13E373E4BB5E7CB8E1F200F7BC073D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_C13E373E4BB5E7CB8E1F200F7BC073D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_A7AA85660DC1A2E236BD200F7BC0D196" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_A7AA85660DC1A2E236BD200F7BC0D196" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_7E5E1AEC270241C48DF1200F7BC0878D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_7E5E1AEC270241C48DF1200F7BC0878D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_A1454D4E585BED08F057200F7BC0567D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_A1454D4E585BED08F057200F7BC0567D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_6BDB34DBA75C6A7C82C4200F7BC08FA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_6BDB34DBA75C6A7C82C4200F7BC08FA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_D4E8A395EA5070927E96200F7BC1B91E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_D4E8A395EA5070927E96200F7BC1B91E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_1C1A216380A75287AF89200F7BC1B403" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_1C1A216380A75287AF89200F7BC1B403" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_C9B3B1B12135CC3BEF16200F7BC1580D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_C9B3B1B12135CC3BEF16200F7BC1580D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_13092B9663D6AD6648AE200F7BC17F72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_13092B9663D6AD6648AE200F7BC17F72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_F8F769E0F28B1168A599200F7BC12550" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_F8F769E0F28B1168A599200F7BC12550" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_DD5D31AC6DED8B3D5050200F7BC1DAAB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_DD5D31AC6DED8B3D5050200F7BC1DAAB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2DBD79EBC01B8457CF5D200F7BC22CAC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2DBD79EBC01B8457CF5D200F7BC22CAC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_A030A3E456EDEE762713200F7BC24061" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_A030A3E456EDEE762713200F7BC24061" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_6E577F6E350D4C6F5BC2200F7BC2EAEA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_2A6685A5A8DEF1F095E6200F7BBF2486" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_6E577F6E350D4C6F5BC2200F7BC2EAEA" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtScheduleOfLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4FA70F36B243AA138FF6DBD9A4770BC0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_D749A719B4E76C2018F1DBD9A477AB61" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4FA70F36B243AA138FF6DBD9A4770BC0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_D749A719B4E76C2018F1DBD9A477AB61" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_610CAB30EB32F9C18DECDBD9A4778EB0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_D749A719B4E76C2018F1DBD9A477AB61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_610CAB30EB32F9C18DECDBD9A4778EB0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_610CAB30EB32F9C18DECDBD9A4778EB0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_610CAB30EB32F9C18DECDBD9A4778EB0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_200CCBFB1912F7B44737DBD9A47701DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_200CCBFB1912F7B44737DBD9A47701DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_714120E73CDA0A881FF8DBD9A4779225" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2C71B4F04C16545AB09EDBD9A4775720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_714120E73CDA0A881FF8DBD9A4779225" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_EEF700791D85FE7F942EDBD9A477E513" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4FA70F36B243AA138FF6DBD9A4770BC0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_EEF700791D85FE7F942EDBD9A477E513" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_E6E8837771BC54FCB53DDBD9A477A8EB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4FA70F36B243AA138FF6DBD9A4770BC0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_E6E8837771BC54FCB53DDBD9A477A8EB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9BC52CDAF1BCA235AF5CDBD9A47728BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4FA70F36B243AA138FF6DBD9A4770BC0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_9BC52CDAF1BCA235AF5CDBD9A47728BA" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LongTermDebtTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilities" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherCurrentLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesOtherLongTermLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/OtherCurrentAndLongTermLiabilitiesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/PendingAdoptionOfRecentAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionContractLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_DD1A824C1E70E44B2204054661B95036" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_DD1A824C1E70E44B2204054661B95036" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_DD1A824C1E70E44B2204054661B95036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_DD1A824C1E70E44B2204054661B95036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_F0235E9E14B9B03699B6054661B9C053" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_F0235E9E14B9B03699B6054661B9C053" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_1B8A72C1906A3825C0B5054661B99F40" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:to="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_1B8A72C1906A3825C0B5054661B99F40" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_96A3B165A7D88B31A16C054661B99FA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:to="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_96A3B165A7D88B31A16C054661B99FA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_00514B45C5FC3CF44DDB054661B9B02D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_AA72333442E55E32BE00054661B929E4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_00514B45C5FC3CF44DDB054661B9B02D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8F2CB8600A08CE480DBD054661B97517" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8F2CB8600A08CE480DBD054661B97517" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8F2CB8600A08CE480DBD054661B97517" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8F2CB8600A08CE480DBD054661B97517" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetailMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_8C96A4AB914322652B85054661B94970" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_8C96A4AB914322652B85054661B94970" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_WholesaleMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_30C5CE4A9B1D0B0FFB18054661B9C156" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_30C5CE4A9B1D0B0FFB18054661B9C156" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_InternationalMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalMember_82F84B9DBB81FFC94C2E054661B980EE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_A547AAAF5829462E446B054661B984B1" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalMember_82F84B9DBB81FFC94C2E054661B980EE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_E95AC060F1A195E37263054661B9EAD0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_E95AC060F1A195E37263054661B9EAD0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_C4DA9B7B538BD54DE4E2054661B907B4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_E95AC060F1A195E37263054661B9EAD0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_C4DA9B7B538BD54DE4E2054661B907B4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_C4DA9B7B538BD54DE4E2054661B907B4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_E95AC060F1A195E37263054661B9EAD0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_C4DA9B7B538BD54DE4E2054661B907B4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RoyaltyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyMember_8671849146B2724FA524054661B98C60" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_C4DA9B7B538BD54DE4E2054661B907B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyMember_8671849146B2724FA524054661B98C60" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_E0C77CCDC86857A5F2C2054661B9FBB0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_EEFEF255E3046904E921054661AA636F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_E0C77CCDC86857A5F2C2054661B9FBB0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_E0C77CCDC86857A5F2C2054661B9FBB0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_E0C77CCDC86857A5F2C2054661B9FBB0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_WholesaleApparelPieceGoodsandNotionsMemberMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleApparelPieceGoodsandNotionsMemberMember_67EFDA8723DC79C0EE45054661B99609" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleApparelPieceGoodsandNotionsMemberMember_67EFDA8723DC79C0EE45054661B99609" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_RetailApparelandAccessoryStoresMemberMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailApparelandAccessoryStoresMemberMember_CFB76937FEE33B7FB465054661B9D707" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_4602E5D4FEA01C788A83054661B96BCA" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailApparelandAccessoryStoresMemberMember_CFB76937FEE33B7FB465054661B9D707" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_E86A3D5E9C889146F459054661B9E1D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_E86A3D5E9C889146F459054661B9E1D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_D913EE02016C103A21BB054661B9C06F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_D913EE02016C103A21BB054661B9C06F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_C50E31377DE220FBC330054661B9BFF2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_C50E31377DE220FBC330054661B9BFF2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_C8496109E01E97DA2F80054661B98BDB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_6467E88D391D8D6CC05D054661B97B39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_C8496109E01E97DA2F80054661B98BDB" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNotes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A48B970F61D4094AC002200F7B10068A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A48B970F61D4094AC002200F7B10068A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_A50A5F71E300050C5E01200F7B1055F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A48B970F61D4094AC002200F7B10068A" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_A50A5F71E300050C5E01200F7B1055F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_A50A5F71E300050C5E01200F7B1055F1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2018/elts/srt-2018-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_A50A5F71E300050C5E01200F7B1055F1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_991A05F07526F2B0A5AE200F7B11A138" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_991A05F07526F2B0A5AE200F7B11A138" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_7EAB06AC0140275B0976200F7B111C05" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_CF4C60B2174DB33F2F14200F7B10B55C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_7EAB06AC0140275B0976200F7B111C05" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0972E0B5E632102ED0A9200F7B119EF4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A48B970F61D4094AC002200F7B10068A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0972E0B5E632102ED0A9200F7B119EF4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0972E0B5E632102ED0A9200F7B119EF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0972E0B5E632102ED0A9200F7B119EF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_WholesaleMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_6069FA9155217A7C8309200F7B12B47E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_6069FA9155217A7C8309200F7B12B47E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetailMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_C10DECE7DD715D101247200F7B12A8EF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_C10DECE7DD715D101247200F7B12A8EF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_InternationalMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalMember_9B173851C1FCDF0C25DC200F7B12A7DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_EE69AB95453DBE103A68200F7B116ABF" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalMember_9B173851C1FCDF0C25DC200F7B12A7DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_DA4A1FBFB09ADBA63E4D200F7B13D92E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_DA4A1FBFB09ADBA63E4D200F7B13D92E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales" xlink:label="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_B63C5FA8DFA3F8DAF9CB200F7B130C0B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_B63C5FA8DFA3F8DAF9CB200F7B130C0B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_67BCC25840930325AD31200F7B13B3B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_67BCC25840930325AD31200F7B13B3B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales" xlink:label="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_8C3F485F0240841B3BE5200F7B133790" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_8C3F485F0240841B3BE5200F7B133790" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_CorporateExpenses" xlink:label="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2AA729BBCFAA929F55FF200F7B14904D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2AA729BBCFAA929F55FF200F7B14904D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCosts_687D646364A2D34353FE200F7B149445" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCosts_687D646364A2D34353FE200F7B149445" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_046B97CBBEE4D4B68BDD200F7B144470" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceRecoveries_046B97CBBEE4D4B68BDD200F7B144470" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_F2CC547D1F7DE7A84964200F7B14BDBB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_F2CC547D1F7DE7A84964200F7B14BDBB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1_25EB3BB54F51B3D4DEC4200F7B142627" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_C4849D37F6F0FDC5CB9D200F7B130CCF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeveranceCosts1_25EB3BB54F51B3D4DEC4200F7B142627" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4C0128B7AB0E9DC4226A064675377144" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_19437E6C8FED2377F23106467536A3D2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4C0128B7AB0E9DC4226A064675377144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_19437E6C8FED2377F23106467536A3D2" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5CF3887BF5523ABF86DA06467536ADC5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_19437E6C8FED2377F23106467536A3D2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5CF3887BF5523ABF86DA06467536ADC5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5CF3887BF5523ABF86DA06467536ADC5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5CF3887BF5523ABF86DA06467536ADC5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_A3B0761EC6A0C485A3D5064675372863" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_A3B0761EC6A0C485A3D5064675372863" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_TimebasedrestrictedstockMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_TimebasedrestrictedstockMember_33C1547A554E5DBB55A8064675376352" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:to="loc_cri_TimebasedrestrictedstockMember_33C1547A554E5DBB55A8064675376352" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_06D37300978FB4596C6806467537CA04" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_06D37300978FB4596C6806467537CA04" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="cri-20190629.xsd#cri_StockAwardsMember" xlink:label="loc_cri_StockAwardsMember_44ECC2859BD8976D7A0F06467537FD96" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_CD1F6AF6B8DA8DB2023606467536A387" xlink:to="loc_cri_StockAwardsMember_44ECC2859BD8976D7A0F06467537FD96" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_A9B8E9B572B8D93615F5064675388AA7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4C0128B7AB0E9DC4226A064675377144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_A9B8E9B572B8D93615F5064675388AA7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2018/elts/us-gaap-2018-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_11187BAFBED1BFF03217064675388C8B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4C0128B7AB0E9DC4226A064675377144" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_11187BAFBED1BFF03217064675388C8B" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</link:linkbase>
