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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:04ee9309-8ac4-446d-8b57-68412b816876,g:73e3c8e3-1a76-4e4c-880d-25cc282fe348-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_29be01c9-9ff3-4ca3-bd43-fc233a3542d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88c76e2a-c604-4486-b311-68e564096dc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_29be01c9-9ff3-4ca3-bd43-fc233a3542d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88c76e2a-c604-4486-b311-68e564096dc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88c76e2a-c604-4486-b311-68e564096dc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b8fce67b-9836-4639-ac89-27801aa81cb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_2b45a8cf-1fd3-4d08-aa76-c07f2bd6c585" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b8fce67b-9836-4639-ac89-27801aa81cb6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_aa055009-3170-4556-8f90-171f6d2fe9f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_b8fce67b-9836-4639-ac89-27801aa81cb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_aa055009-3170-4556-8f90-171f6d2fe9f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_29be01c9-9ff3-4ca3-bd43-fc233a3542d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_eebf6a6a-ee58-40b6-bc23-337edb905a7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_eebf6a6a-ee58-40b6-bc23-337edb905a7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_29ddeeb6-e45f-4498-82c5-c1bbd487fae1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_29ddeeb6-e45f-4498-82c5-c1bbd487fae1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_c7618bee-6d32-4b06-8337-67b8d4370e7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_c7618bee-6d32-4b06-8337-67b8d4370e7b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent_019c07d6-fb6a-7560-93cb-862d2a3d230b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent_019c07d6-fb6a-7560-93cb-862d2a3d230b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent_902a5828-d306-442f-b151-4b75c8a6b93d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrent_902a5828-d306-442f-b151-4b75c8a6b93d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_9eae279e-2f78-4d35-baca-1211c78e5f3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_9eae279e-2f78-4d35-baca-1211c78e5f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_743e4bc7-30e4-4281-b3e2-dec6c54cdc12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_1a7c8c78-bc16-4c75-97ae-cf9fca0d973f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_743e4bc7-30e4-4281-b3e2-dec6c54cdc12" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_52bf0bf9-2e17-4d1c-9459-793416f4309b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_52bf0bf9-2e17-4d1c-9459-793416f4309b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_d9f25fac-30c0-4f59-817f-588a94703d32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_d9f25fac-30c0-4f59-817f-588a94703d32" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_2f3f9944-86f6-411b-b619-cf0ca9b88ae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_2f3f9944-86f6-411b-b619-cf0ca9b88ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_b3b7d2f7-b37e-4f58-866e-8e5c406bcde2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_b3b7d2f7-b37e-4f58-866e-8e5c406bcde2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_f1c0e36f-776f-4b81-a3fc-e35fe5c697bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent_f1c0e36f-776f-4b81-a3fc-e35fe5c697bc" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_785869c7-cab5-47ac-9923-15c97a4564a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_b9225de5-d66f-4abc-86f0-46e1ac224ae0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_785869c7-cab5-47ac-9923-15c97a4564a8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_29be01c9-9ff3-4ca3-bd43-fc233a3542d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_ea5fe186-66e4-4013-8ff9-f232eedf3fb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_ea5fe186-66e4-4013-8ff9-f232eedf3fb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_76f7dc62-382b-4532-9fc2-66caa1da8bc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_76f7dc62-382b-4532-9fc2-66caa1da8bc0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_505f330a-6d6f-4ae4-bbfb-c9351bc8917a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_505f330a-6d6f-4ae4-bbfb-c9351bc8917a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_b1c541fd-3d7a-4222-9fb8-0df4b893b8f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityCurrent_b1c541fd-3d7a-4222-9fb8-0df4b893b8f4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_3a63e5d0-b562-466e-b07d-bf0798859d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_3a63e5d0-b562-466e-b07d-bf0798859d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_350f8280-2d79-433a-89d3-baabb2498906" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_8ca71bd7-56b6-4c23-b0e7-b79700d342d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_350f8280-2d79-433a-89d3-baabb2498906" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_513260bd-a086-480b-98eb-ae7ef9f11556" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_513260bd-a086-480b-98eb-ae7ef9f11556" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2db6ce0e-bcf1-4774-895b-588d0a565648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2db6ce0e-bcf1-4774-895b-588d0a565648" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent_56e89858-256c-4239-b95b-b6d4b124bbcc" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreementNoncurrent_56e89858-256c-4239-b95b-b6d4b124bbcc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_4e32d222-8880-447b-acd6-ad5b7ea38e9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_4e32d222-8880-447b-acd6-ad5b7ea38e9a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_661f81de-6355-4524-9cdc-e250761abb1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent_661f81de-6355-4524-9cdc-e250761abb1d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_c15b52ea-3202-477f-a462-0c0cbc7bfb25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_c15b52ea-3202-477f-a462-0c0cbc7bfb25" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_618a31d2-5ad1-4eca-b603-1a9a90f54715" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_618a31d2-5ad1-4eca-b603-1a9a90f54715" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_2a231a44-991a-4932-9c22-e72ac541c3bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_2a231a44-991a-4932-9c22-e72ac541c3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_e370dd0b-2798-44b3-ade4-24786506d269" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_e370dd0b-2798-44b3-ade4-24786506d269" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_49c6ef4a-a1cd-442e-8864-ea3df7e98ef3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_49c6ef4a-a1cd-442e-8864-ea3df7e98ef3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_f667c994-207a-46bc-a68c-686a03a193f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_f667c994-207a-46bc-a68c-686a03a193f9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_717ff50b-2e85-4dca-97be-ef7f28ce1f91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_717ff50b-2e85-4dca-97be-ef7f28ce1f91" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_32343558-e40e-4e04-bc2d-5c37300414be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_32343558-e40e-4e04-bc2d-5c37300414be" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_319c3b60-7dc4-4525-855d-b021fb599558" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_1319c2b9-5fb8-4384-834c-80b1704c9d51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_319c3b60-7dc4-4525-855d-b021fb599558" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_19d06fa1-7b9a-4bc9-b2cd-e613ddb27d93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_93e18605-4221-4024-bda9-3af037a059aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_19d06fa1-7b9a-4bc9-b2cd-e613ddb27d93" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_49c70352-47f1-4592-84c8-8a899bd0269c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_24b30f35-a802-4141-955e-a486fcfdde5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_49c70352-47f1-4592-84c8-8a899bd0269c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_24b30f35-a802-4141-955e-a486fcfdde5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_24b30f35-a802-4141-955e-a486fcfdde5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4ecc7fea-020a-4db6-b0c6-4fdbc1a99031" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_42ae342f-80bb-44e7-9ed5-870c00a97df5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4ecc7fea-020a-4db6-b0c6-4fdbc1a99031" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_bf074fe7-dddc-47e5-ba26-30f3adb6039f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_4ecc7fea-020a-4db6-b0c6-4fdbc1a99031" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_bf074fe7-dddc-47e5-ba26-30f3adb6039f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_96368ff3-300e-4ffe-9d6f-451cd6387371" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_49c70352-47f1-4592-84c8-8a899bd0269c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_96368ff3-300e-4ffe-9d6f-451cd6387371" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_9e98a9b5-ad21-4ea8-947e-b9d238132840" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_96368ff3-300e-4ffe-9d6f-451cd6387371" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_9e98a9b5-ad21-4ea8-947e-b9d238132840" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_040d9fb5-591f-4ff0-b40c-628ca1de8006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_9e98a9b5-ad21-4ea8-947e-b9d238132840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_040d9fb5-591f-4ff0-b40c-628ca1de8006" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_3e1492b4-27c4-4902-bba9-f52c88cd55ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_9e98a9b5-ad21-4ea8-947e-b9d238132840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_3e1492b4-27c4-4902-bba9-f52c88cd55ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_2032987b-728e-4969-a19e-352b3938af8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrentAbstract_9e98a9b5-ad21-4ea8-947e-b9d238132840" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_2032987b-728e-4969-a19e-352b3938af8e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_b347a62b-7eeb-40a7-bc5f-657f531a2c42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_49c70352-47f1-4592-84c8-8a899bd0269c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_b347a62b-7eeb-40a7-bc5f-657f531a2c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_b347a62b-7eeb-40a7-bc5f-657f531a2c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c97e4-c1aa-7204-83d5-72edde77d4bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c97e4-c1aa-7204-83d5-72edde77d4bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_84545528-e687-4ea7-8f3f-63dfe7ffae1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_84545528-e687-4ea7-8f3f-63dfe7ffae1a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_26e4a057-3ce8-4369-8100-e780cb9b74d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_26e4a057-3ce8-4369-8100-e780cb9b74d1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_23834c0d-f05d-4387-b34a-0ed1809ff5e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_23834c0d-f05d-4387-b34a-0ed1809ff5e2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c97e6-d221-7477-9dcf-5c2344ddd2f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c97e6-d221-7477-9dcf-5c2344ddd2f3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_081faf07-2d3f-41a0-8898-24573b0d015e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_081faf07-2d3f-41a0-8898-24573b0d015e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_4067a1cc-2b37-4756-9321-2634522981a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_4067a1cc-2b37-4756-9321-2634522981a9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_076e75c4-ad74-4950-a064-301232b73bef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_c605d542-6ea2-4291-a077-4e833447c616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_076e75c4-ad74-4950-a064-301232b73bef" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8eef33f5-de01-427d-8170-dd9b366f87c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_28e99784-b627-4012-8268-43374cddd9a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8eef33f5-de01-427d-8170-dd9b366f87c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_28e99784-b627-4012-8268-43374cddd9a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_28e99784-b627-4012-8268-43374cddd9a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e8055f6a-9fc7-4a58-b00f-87a70b0a956f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_5d4a7f96-8b99-4861-9be8-eacf29a65921" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_5d4a7f96-8b99-4861-9be8-eacf29a65921" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_d644cc6c-0049-4e3d-8685-9b332795fc50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_d644cc6c-0049-4e3d-8685-9b332795fc50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2abc3b82-1571-495d-a64a-405222b09560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_2abc3b82-1571-495d-a64a-405222b09560" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_adff17a6-019e-486c-90e3-61dedbd46957" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_adff17a6-019e-486c-90e3-61dedbd46957" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4dad76d9-94a7-4ae5-8241-1046b7a4be84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_4dad76d9-94a7-4ae5-8241-1046b7a4be84" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_9ce9ab4b-3a57-43ab-8cd1-4b83a65f8293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9105d538-5983-451e-9725-a5686c80fb56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_9ce9ab4b-3a57-43ab-8cd1-4b83a65f8293" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_28e99784-b627-4012-8268-43374cddd9a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_097043c0-ca31-4a23-ad61-7603b4cbfa7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_aa5e6025-2617-4633-8213-04dd7e2e6db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_097043c0-ca31-4a23-ad61-7603b4cbfa7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_b0f68557-15d8-4b57-91a0-f3d26c93cdcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_097043c0-ca31-4a23-ad61-7603b4cbfa7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredClassBMember_b0f68557-15d8-4b57-91a0-f3d26c93cdcf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_PreferredClassCMember_ba016352-d188-4164-9da9-b4bb604b35ca" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_PreferredClassCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_097043c0-ca31-4a23-ad61-7603b4cbfa7e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_PreferredClassCMember_ba016352-d188-4164-9da9-b4bb604b35ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_28e99784-b627-4012-8268-43374cddd9a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_5956f08c-38b9-4c29-b64a-76633d404cdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_a6a9a534-437d-4a78-a193-b5d507e89269" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_5956f08c-38b9-4c29-b64a-76633d404cdd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember_199c9771-f6c7-47a1-b0cf-7c7a446ae22c" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_5956f08c-38b9-4c29-b64a-76633d404cdd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember_199c9771-f6c7-47a1-b0cf-7c7a446ae22c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SeriesBConversionMember_00fa1b9d-a3c0-47af-937d-45e75361849a" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SeriesBConversionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_5956f08c-38b9-4c29-b64a-76633d404cdd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SeriesBConversionMember_00fa1b9d-a3c0-47af-937d-45e75361849a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_8eef33f5-de01-427d-8170-dd9b366f87c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_52da8b34-3872-4986-b5a2-48f36d67727b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_52da8b34-3872-4986-b5a2-48f36d67727b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_3d0e5ceb-9511-4e4b-bd7c-912b0da5d8ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_3d0e5ceb-9511-4e4b-bd7c-912b0da5d8ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_35bd229c-b8f7-4440-b92e-326ce7fb46d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_35bd229c-b8f7-4440-b92e-326ce7fb46d6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_c24ccac9-3e6b-44dc-b94b-b32d1e3f8914" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_c24ccac9-3e6b-44dc-b94b-b32d1e3f8914" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_9ead349e-c52c-45ef-a0e9-30c6ad8ac7d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_9ead349e-c52c-45ef-a0e9-30c6ad8ac7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_2b21a53e-320d-4c13-9337-d810c589b3f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_2b21a53e-320d-4c13-9337-d810c589b3f0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_0f10d844-cc59-477b-a8c4-df3e2a2be6c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_0f10d844-cc59-477b-a8c4-df3e2a2be6c3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_00d5d0dc-92b9-434e-8024-c081b2967a78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_00d5d0dc-92b9-434e-8024-c081b2967a78" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_71eb4297-6588-47d7-a856-3cbe44a3b9e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_71eb4297-6588-47d7-a856-3cbe44a3b9e7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c17d2d93-f25a-46b6-9d58-e92f3fe84cbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c17d2d93-f25a-46b6-9d58-e92f3fe84cbe" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_f895180f-36d0-49d2-8644-09099980d5e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_f895180f-36d0-49d2-8644-09099980d5e5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_007e661e-8fd5-40d1-beb3-fb88d1e6b425" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_007e661e-8fd5-40d1-beb3-fb88d1e6b425" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_79c4d542-b874-494c-97f3-7edf547eef57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_79c4d542-b874-494c-97f3-7edf547eef57" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_4f49c8e4-8535-4f6e-ae50-f83d77144e51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_4f49c8e4-8535-4f6e-ae50-f83d77144e51" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_537252a5-1638-4182-a296-73c54bdba8b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_537252a5-1638-4182-a296-73c54bdba8b3" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_78498dcb-480d-43b1-82c8-445adb55de86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardGross_78498dcb-480d-43b1-82c8-445adb55de86" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_6d175238-fef5-4001-84ac-cd641ccecd8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardGross_6d175238-fef5-4001-84ac-cd641ccecd8d" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_9619c17a-fa75-4585-83d5-650d79526f05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_9619c17a-fa75-4585-83d5-650d79526f05" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_f7d97ba3-ddff-483e-9e91-bc61eff2531b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_f7d97ba3-ddff-483e-9e91-bc61eff2531b" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxReceivableAgreementLiability_36ff0eef-9cfe-4458-bc2f-96ac319b7b76" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxReceivableAgreementLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_af2417e2-c948-4e4d-8b5c-0c1973993c95" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalTaxReceivableAgreementLiability_36ff0eef-9cfe-4458-bc2f-96ac319b7b76" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_d0310ef3-a009-4f0c-92c2-8b76a2ae4067" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_dee66e9f-4504-4c68-a147-c01b2d72e156" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_b40771b3-4317-4679-ae7b-4f99193b852c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-70ad-ae80-eb3604c2e4a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7892-8a2d-c8b381006105" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-70ad-ae80-eb3604c2e4a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7b51-b15a-868aa8dab879" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-70ad-ae80-eb3604c2e4a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7b51-b15a-868aa8dab879" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7f86-a090-d332ae4ab06f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-7226-b909-a04c78117d90" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7f86-a090-d332ae4ab06f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c5aa8-01ad-770e-8a3e-ad0db04368bb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-7f86-a090-d332ae4ab06f" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c5aa8-01ad-770e-8a3e-ad0db04368bb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c5aa8-01ad-72e6-a215-d0d01fd583f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019c5aa8-01ad-73c9-952e-759963c4ebbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019c5aa8-01ad-73c9-952e-759963c4ebbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c5aa8-01ad-73a9-b385-981249703233" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c5aa8-01ad-73a9-b385-981249703233" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7bf8-b0f2-a71f1d744ad3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7bf8-b0f2-a71f1d744ad3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7267-a189-48c5eeb630c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c5aa8-01ad-738c-b23e-71fee69f6189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c5aa8-01ad-7267-a189-48c5eeb630c5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7ae0-85bb-7bcdb0495312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-7775-8220-47f7fab28ee8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7ae0-85bb-7bcdb0495312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7742-b62e-cca951ab41c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7ae0-85bb-7bcdb0495312" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7742-b62e-cca951ab41c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019c5aa8-4f52-78f7-bf74-f381958ad9cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c5aa8-4f52-7ae0-85bb-7bcdb0495312" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019c5aa8-4f52-78f7-bf74-f381958ad9cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-7031-8d3a-df5ee0eb5b42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019c5aa8-4f52-736f-bde4-f6551ea569f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-7031-8d3a-df5ee0eb5b42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_019c5aa8-4f52-796a-b14d-97bc569fd65a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-7031-8d3a-df5ee0eb5b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_019c5aa8-4f52-796a-b14d-97bc569fd65a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_019c5aa8-4f52-75c7-a4cc-cb81c5805bf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-7031-8d3a-df5ee0eb5b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_019c5aa8-4f52-75c7-a4cc-cb81c5805bf8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_019c5aa8-4f52-717a-bf21-53774649eb85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019c5aa8-4f52-7031-8d3a-df5ee0eb5b42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_019c5aa8-4f52-717a-bf21-53774649eb85" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_019c5aa8-e829-7467-986c-918cbdbd8aa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_019c5aa8-e829-72cc-84e2-5ea0e854b618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_019c5aa8-e829-7467-986c-918cbdbd8aa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TruckloadServicesMember_019c5aa8-e829-7010-93b9-83ad1b336daf" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TruckloadServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_019c5aa8-e829-7467-986c-918cbdbd8aa6" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TruckloadServicesMember_019c5aa8-e829-7010-93b9-83ad1b336daf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_0912c160-61d2-41a4-8ba4-fe3b7d6fea8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019c5aa9-9220-778a-b2a0-ae6dab5661f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019c5aa9-9220-7351-8898-9a7aa382fc72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019c5aa9-9220-778a-b2a0-ae6dab5661f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019c5aa9-9220-7c6c-96fd-1610ae39b073" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019c5aa9-9220-778a-b2a0-ae6dab5661f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019c5aa9-9220-7c6c-96fd-1610ae39b073" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019c5aa8-01ad-7fef-9567-4f0b6e301139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_019c5aa8-01ad-7fef-9567-4f0b6e301139" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c5aa8-01ad-77f6-8278-6a5c7ac23ca6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c5aa8-01ad-77f6-8278-6a5c7ac23ca6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementTaxBenefitPercentagePaid_019c5aa8-01ad-75f2-85e3-1fa0e9d52ca4" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementTaxBenefitPercentagePaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementTaxBenefitPercentagePaid_019c5aa8-01ad-75f2-85e3-1fa0e9d52ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Cash_019c5aa8-2aca-7d3e-bf38-8a6971518fc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Cash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Cash_019c5aa8-2aca-7d3e-bf38-8a6971518fc6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_CashEquivalents_019c5aa8-2aca-7d7b-9b41-c2b2b582985f" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_CashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_CashEquivalents_019c5aa8-2aca-7d7b-9b41-c2b2b582985f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_019c5aa8-4f52-7a10-ba46-6acb65182272" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_019c5aa8-4f52-7a10-ba46-6acb65182272" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_019c5aa8-6dd2-7875-bf4a-3e67b255f46d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentCharges_019c5aa8-6dd2-7875-bf4a-3e67b255f46d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedAmortization_019c95ac-d224-7aa9-a716-5e85096c8a98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedAmortization_019c95ac-d224-7aa9-a716-5e85096c8a98" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedAmortization_019c95ad-33d2-7bf2-92b4-07e931c9ae61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedAmortization_019c95ad-33d2-7bf2-92b4-07e931c9ae61" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortizationPeriod_019c5aa8-a8ab-7378-afab-0a5a20c6cfb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortizationPeriod_019c5aa8-a8ab-7378-afab-0a5a20c6cfb4" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAccumulatedImpairment_019c5aa8-a8ab-7e15-9c7c-6b6e33cd0653" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAccumulatedImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAccumulatedImpairment_019c5aa8-a8ab-7e15-9c7c-6b6e33cd0653" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019c5aa8-c5c5-7b04-b93a-46731fa5c092" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019c5aa8-c5c5-7b04-b93a-46731fa5c092" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_GoodwillImpairmentLossPriorToAdjustments_019c5aa8-c5c5-7a88-ac19-c77a4c3c92e2" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_GoodwillImpairmentLossPriorToAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_GoodwillImpairmentLossPriorToAdjustments_019c5aa8-c5c5-7a88-ac19-c77a4c3c92e2" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019c5aa8-c5c5-7720-a075-10dba4c4dc26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019c5aa8-c5c5-7720-a075-10dba4c4dc26" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_019c5aa8-e829-75a7-ada2-7ad611db4d54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_019c5aa8-e829-75a7-ada2-7ad611db4d54" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_019c5aa9-06b5-7b50-acbf-aa11906023f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_019c5aa9-06b5-7b50-acbf-aa11906023f6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019c5aa9-259f-7784-ad6b-be215336f10c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019c5aa9-259f-7784-ad6b-be215336f10c" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths_019c5aa9-259f-7bf7-a16d-12e1fef10dcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths_019c5aa9-259f-7bf7-a16d-12e1fef10dcb" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo_019c5aa9-259f-7d41-8b80-f1e529900f19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo_019c5aa9-259f-7d41-8b80-f1e529900f19" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree_019c5aa9-259f-7259-8a63-d55ba31a4e41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree_019c5aa9-259f-7259-8a63-d55ba31a4e41" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour_019c5aa9-259f-7506-92ea-9f3b3caeb731" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour_019c5aa9-259f-7506-92ea-9f3b3caeb731" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive_019c5aa9-259f-7389-bb56-a013d5527685" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive_019c5aa9-259f-7389-bb56-a013d5527685" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve_019c5aa9-5ab8-733b-809b-3fc0ac1f5b4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserve_019c5aa9-5ab8-733b-809b-3fc0ac1f5b4e" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedInsuranceCurrent_019c5aa9-5ab8-7a34-bb77-2f28437619e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedInsuranceCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedInsuranceCurrent_019c5aa9-5ab8-7a34-bb77-2f28437619e7" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent_019c5aa9-5ab8-72b3-ab70-2f20c3d8adf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SelfInsuranceReserveNoncurrent_019c5aa9-5ab8-72b3-ab70-2f20c3d8adf9" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable_019c5aa9-5ab8-7e5c-ba75-6fcb14bdb280" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceSettlementsReceivable_019c5aa9-5ab8-7e5c-ba75-6fcb14bdb280" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019c5aa9-9220-7fe9-9fe8-3901a8d4c49d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019c5aa8-01ad-788b-8784-727b75777cb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019c5aa9-9220-7fe9-9fe8-3901a8d4c49d" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_05345794-9bff-4f86-86e0-096e9edceb45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1794a991-a5ac-4496-8190-1b6ef9b75763" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_05345794-9bff-4f86-86e0-096e9edceb45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1794a991-a5ac-4496-8190-1b6ef9b75763" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_1794a991-a5ac-4496-8190-1b6ef9b75763" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_b7e7b383-6d07-4a87-8a97-b3b981c1c9e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_8c4f489c-adb2-4e0f-8eb1-2cab26724548" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_8c4f489c-adb2-4e0f-8eb1-2cab26724548" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_1182a71a-4142-40b4-b262-e5e632ba6e51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_1182a71a-4142-40b4-b262-e5e632ba6e51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_8b9be1da-89f2-4cec-a6c8-6152ced66b8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquipmentMember_8b9be1da-89f2-4cec-a6c8-6152ced66b8c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_11bbfee3-665a-43ba-b89f-f97b48f8d094" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_11bbfee3-665a-43ba-b89f-f97b48f8d094" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_5061b0de-c900-49a7-a6a8-396a2138810c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_5061b0de-c900-49a7-a6a8-396a2138810c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_8af8fe9a-5fa5-4b95-bbfd-c607c8c95f58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_ee100349-13a5-4759-83eb-672ac2e93f96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_8af8fe9a-5fa5-4b95-bbfd-c607c8c95f58" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_0d7aeccc-e51b-4592-b361-4e689d488052" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_05345794-9bff-4f86-86e0-096e9edceb45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetBeforeAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_0d7aeccc-e51b-4592-b361-4e689d488052" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_250a94c1-01cd-476c-9e04-dab50d061e46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_05345794-9bff-4f86-86e0-096e9edceb45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_250a94c1-01cd-476c-9e04-dab50d061e46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_6c56ea6f-2d23-4676-8cfe-ad370153ee85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_05345794-9bff-4f86-86e0-096e9edceb45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_6c56ea6f-2d23-4676-8cfe-ad370153ee85" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillRollForwardDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillRollForwardDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesGoodwillRollForwardDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_fa0d9fac-150c-4f08-8be9-9fa6f744f97b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_07432d61-c2e5-4070-9507-95be337854a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_fa0d9fac-150c-4f08-8be9-9fa6f744f97b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_07432d61-c2e5-4070-9507-95be337854a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_07432d61-c2e5-4070-9507-95be337854a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_46a93e50-feb1-4933-b558-fc02795b534d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_08d0c664-fc7a-4775-b7c2-b25f91edd249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_46a93e50-feb1-4933-b558-fc02795b534d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember_aa4e345a-5127-49a5-a041-4390b8ef8cfc" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_46a93e50-feb1-4933-b558-fc02795b534d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember_aa4e345a-5127-49a5-a041-4390b8ef8cfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_3ca6c09c-1b08-4945-939f-ade185cdbdcb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_46a93e50-feb1-4933-b558-fc02795b534d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_3ca6c09c-1b08-4945-939f-ade185cdbdcb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember_888c9f96-645e-47ea-b67b-d3d4aea0b1bb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_46a93e50-feb1-4933-b558-fc02795b534d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember_888c9f96-645e-47ea-b67b-d3d4aea0b1bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ba91bce8-89e3-4d93-aede-feede3b3722f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_fa0d9fac-150c-4f08-8be9-9fa6f744f97b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ba91bce8-89e3-4d93-aede-feede3b3722f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_8d8e8756-df7c-4986-8327-3ebecb1aa8fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ba91bce8-89e3-4d93-aede-feede3b3722f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_8d8e8756-df7c-4986-8327-3ebecb1aa8fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_babf1268-4d38-4653-9f0c-298e87a60d08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ba91bce8-89e3-4d93-aede-feede3b3722f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_babf1268-4d38-4653-9f0c-298e87a60d08" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_8ab6dbe2-3956-41e1-802c-ffadf7daa8c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_ba91bce8-89e3-4d93-aede-feede3b3722f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_8ab6dbe2-3956-41e1-802c-ffadf7daa8c6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_8c3cbe50-dc12-4e8e-a433-9ae2ca458dcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_a143cedd-d5db-442c-98fb-3947a81bedd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_40d1839e-ff20-4893-9189-d83f45337b5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_a143cedd-d5db-442c-98fb-3947a81bedd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_40d1839e-ff20-4893-9189-d83f45337b5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_40d1839e-ff20-4893-9189-d83f45337b5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a42137ac-8e62-4822-a034-cf63723ee4d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_bcd6f473-646d-4e76-a313-bfcddd407a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a42137ac-8e62-4822-a034-cf63723ee4d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_4fac1319-e4e1-41fe-8515-cb76ed8d4eef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a42137ac-8e62-4822-a034-cf63723ee4d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_4fac1319-e4e1-41fe-8515-cb76ed8d4eef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_3e7ae5ff-212d-49ec-b7bd-4a49d2090189" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a42137ac-8e62-4822-a034-cf63723ee4d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_3e7ae5ff-212d-49ec-b7bd-4a49d2090189" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_89cb4210-c620-4855-9d08-2bc1de904809" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_a42137ac-8e62-4822-a034-cf63723ee4d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_89cb4210-c620-4855-9d08-2bc1de904809" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_0197f242-245a-48c4-9a49-a14df094246b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_a143cedd-d5db-442c-98fb-3947a81bedd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_0197f242-245a-48c4-9a49-a14df094246b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesFinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesFinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesFinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d5122bbb-fa07-4072-b6bf-ddf661e470a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_57b52111-cd96-44d7-8887-08e78d5020ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d5122bbb-fa07-4072-b6bf-ddf661e470a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_57b52111-cd96-44d7-8887-08e78d5020ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_57b52111-cd96-44d7-8887-08e78d5020ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_93c3d214-4e02-4eee-9e45-8c9c6a1af375" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_dbbe382e-5afa-43b3-85e0-695759c810d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_93c3d214-4e02-4eee-9e45-8c9c6a1af375" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_f23f0cba-2e7e-4a29-a682-036e2a05ad1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_93c3d214-4e02-4eee-9e45-8c9c6a1af375" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_f23f0cba-2e7e-4a29-a682-036e2a05ad1a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_efcd2b9b-d614-4013-8743-04f6df12d5d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_93c3d214-4e02-4eee-9e45-8c9c6a1af375" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_efcd2b9b-d614-4013-8743-04f6df12d5d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_613211f9-1958-415e-a4cc-f6896cccbf04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_93c3d214-4e02-4eee-9e45-8c9c6a1af375" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_613211f9-1958-415e-a4cc-f6896cccbf04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d5122bbb-fa07-4072-b6bf-ddf661e470a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_eecafcc0-a797-467c-a897-a24751e58193" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_eecafcc0-a797-467c-a897-a24751e58193" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_bbdc3fd0-c4d4-4301-a7e7-f78dbf49c7fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_bbdc3fd0-c4d4-4301-a7e7-f78dbf49c7fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_1324ec42-a771-4937-b8a3-b00fc3fb280e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_1324ec42-a771-4937-b8a3-b00fc3fb280e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_7199b33d-fffd-4baf-b8e3-5b75ceec7aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_7199b33d-fffd-4baf-b8e3-5b75ceec7aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_a14ceaec-5c7b-4b00-8724-25d68f89d6d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExpiredAgreements_019c5a6e-ef17-7996-a37a-f86c9667d4c5" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExpiredAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRollForward_5fea0f76-0346-46e2-a7c4-61d4657000ce" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExpiredAgreements_019c5a6e-ef17-7996-a37a-f86c9667d4c5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_e09b148e-a485-4402-b782-5535ec0bf440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedImpairment_019c96a1-af0d-7c8e-826d-4309ccf97015" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d5122bbb-fa07-4072-b6bf-ddf661e470a1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedImpairment_019c96a1-af0d-7c8e-826d-4309ccf97015" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAntidilutiveSharesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAntidilutiveSharesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/OperationsandSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAntidilutiveSharesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_94e9d67e-0bb5-4848-9e0c-280d6b3a2bc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_1d908aa6-9248-4c49-86ec-988a1a9cc12d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_94e9d67e-0bb5-4848-9e0c-280d6b3a2bc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_1d908aa6-9248-4c49-86ec-988a1a9cc12d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_1d908aa6-9248-4c49-86ec-988a1a9cc12d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cf5b73b0-d19e-48eb-b3ea-f52c6cb27296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_8b18c9b3-fce4-4923-ac4b-86a9c57a3d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cf5b73b0-d19e-48eb-b3ea-f52c6cb27296" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_485f4253-ca22-47f9-9dfe-8d9a481662de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cf5b73b0-d19e-48eb-b3ea-f52c6cb27296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionMember_485f4253-ca22-47f9-9dfe-8d9a481662de" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_afd3720b-0a66-426c-bee2-11540b21e272" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cf5b73b0-d19e-48eb-b3ea-f52c6cb27296" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_afd3720b-0a66-426c-bee2-11540b21e272" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember_31c964af-0b47-49d5-be69-74df5880e0cc" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cf5b73b0-d19e-48eb-b3ea-f52c6cb27296" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember_31c964af-0b47-49d5-be69-74df5880e0cc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_83954133-3b18-4aa9-a925-0813b7a08ee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_94e9d67e-0bb5-4848-9e0c-280d6b3a2bc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_83954133-3b18-4aa9-a925-0813b7a08ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_9f7e526f-4a20-40bf-8a8c-17baec028a8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_11226b25-b2c5-4df1-bc07-cc841db6d246" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_9f7e526f-4a20-40bf-8a8c-17baec028a8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_11226b25-b2c5-4df1-bc07-cc841db6d246" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_11226b25-b2c5-4df1-bc07-cc841db6d246" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2e426aea-e203-4a49-8a7e-a17f797ccecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d28cacf6-7c0b-41e1-91d3-8fdd9c79b37c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2e426aea-e203-4a49-8a7e-a17f797ccecb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_c53c2c02-fbaa-43e8-85fd-9e286ee5fa54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2e426aea-e203-4a49-8a7e-a17f797ccecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_c53c2c02-fbaa-43e8-85fd-9e286ee5fa54" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_11226b25-b2c5-4df1-bc07-cc841db6d246" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_58e535ce-e626-4e16-8c6c-0d94e8991264" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_5e49c9e1-9c6b-4f7e-a890-511f7c10b1e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_58e535ce-e626-4e16-8c6c-0d94e8991264" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FinalMileMember_ec83c6c2-8de1-4630-b593-f44a3355de4c" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FinalMileMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_58e535ce-e626-4e16-8c6c-0d94e8991264" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FinalMileMember_ec83c6c2-8de1-4630-b593-f44a3355de4c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_4f9da7ef-6c4e-4456-838f-affb8b0bc11f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_9f7e526f-4a20-40bf-8a8c-17baec028a8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_4f9da7ef-6c4e-4456-838f-affb8b0bc11f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsWorkingCapitalSettlement_0a5b3e52-6c55-4648-a1c3-e78a29de8c42" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsWorkingCapitalSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_9f7e526f-4a20-40bf-8a8c-17baec028a8e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsWorkingCapitalSettlement_0a5b3e52-6c55-4648-a1c3-e78a29de8c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleDiscontinuedOperationsFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleDiscontinuedOperationsFinancialInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsandHeldforSaleDiscontinuedOperationsFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_71ac2ddc-817a-4b87-9fd4-2ce8fabaf3b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_012d34d6-f9bc-44cc-975a-00cdf13d2b4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_71ac2ddc-817a-4b87-9fd4-2ce8fabaf3b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_012d34d6-f9bc-44cc-975a-00cdf13d2b4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_012d34d6-f9bc-44cc-975a-00cdf13d2b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9a73ba2d-c274-4997-a5a7-5e72db266668" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_f8cf10d6-7198-4971-b2aa-0076b179a660" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9a73ba2d-c274-4997-a5a7-5e72db266668" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_862c73c0-2ee9-458b-b588-26f10655e350" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9a73ba2d-c274-4997-a5a7-5e72db266668" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_862c73c0-2ee9-458b-b588-26f10655e350" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_71ac2ddc-817a-4b87-9fd4-2ce8fabaf3b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_3d92ca5e-c3a3-43bc-9786-7707f3586534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_3d92ca5e-c3a3-43bc-9786-7707f3586534" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsAndExpenses_39218d8b-3c8e-4461-9cc7-2dbe14c7a60b" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsAndExpenses_39218d8b-3c8e-4461-9cc7-2dbe14c7a60b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLaborAndRelatedExpense_fb042e18-4b88-401e-9260-c83f05f12cf1" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLaborAndRelatedExpense_fb042e18-4b88-401e-9260-c83f05f12cf1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseAndRentalExpense_8f0f11b7-1f9b-45f0-8a75-a080d58befac" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseAndRentalExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseAndRentalExpense_8f0f11b7-1f9b-45f0-8a75-a080d58befac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_8ce66a18-5dc5-428b-bf65-7e28dc6105c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_8ce66a18-5dc5-428b-bf65-7e28dc6105c4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInsuranceAndClaimsCosts_298533ca-e617-49eb-ac5b-2b4eea92ee67" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInsuranceAndClaimsCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInsuranceAndClaimsCosts_298533ca-e617-49eb-ac5b-2b4eea92ee67" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFuelExpense_9b5d648e-530a-441a-911a-3064098cc38d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFuelExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFuelExpense_9b5d648e-530a-441a-911a-3064098cc38d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense_1708efc6-8e32-4402-9238-83a05ef7281a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense_1708efc6-8e32-4402-9238-83a05ef7281a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_322915bf-fa40-43d0-ba6d-f06b8c8a8be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_dd054822-ab13-4f7c-8aab-b5b855ebcf41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_322915bf-fa40-43d0-ba6d-f06b8c8a8be3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_c861f088-5564-4905-82c9-dec82dec2ee3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_c861f088-5564-4905-82c9-dec82dec2ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_9e44a673-a43c-46e5-a944-f89b60fff197" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_9e44a673-a43c-46e5-a944-f89b60fff197" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_af8878aa-5418-4df0-aa52-10cd1e00bdcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_af8878aa-5418-4df0-aa52-10cd1e00bdcb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_b2759823-424f-43b9-b728-9c7add6afbca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_b2759823-424f-43b9-b728-9c7add6afbca" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_e35c37bb-ff53-44ae-8c93-fff62bb25620" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeAndComprehensiveIncomeAbstract_27f51b24-d99c-42b3-8bb5-f7e5472a5554" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_e35c37bb-ff53-44ae-8c93-fff62bb25620" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionofOmniDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsAcquisitionofOmniDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsAcquisitionofOmniDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b0269-7b00-766c-85e9-7b2a26516094" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b0269-7b00-7fdd-93a7-2f2e45f73ee7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b0269-7b00-766c-85e9-7b2a26516094" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b0269-7b00-7396-a9a2-f03b329b2545" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b0269-7b00-766c-85e9-7b2a26516094" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b0269-7b00-7396-a9a2-f03b329b2545" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019b0269-7b00-76fb-a525-a898c52b77ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019b0269-7b00-736a-9ef5-e6a017ee1fd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019b0269-7b00-736a-9ef5-e6a017ee1fd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019b0269-7b00-7e6e-b423-a5fe3629819c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019b0269-7b00-7e6e-b423-a5fe3629819c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b0269-7b00-77b1-a9e4-55e7b4466d41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b0269-7b00-77b1-a9e4-55e7b4466d41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember_019b0269-7b00-7f6c-8059-0e272f7ec5fb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019b0269-7b00-7cb5-81ad-ebe36f7a94fd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember_019b0269-7b00-7f6c-8059-0e272f7ec5fb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019b0269-7b00-73dc-b38e-a59d5b6bf344" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019b0269-7b00-7ae4-979f-6d51817f28ac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019b0269-7b00-73dc-b38e-a59d5b6bf344" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019b0269-7b00-7ae7-89a0-faa3d1c30a99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019b0269-7b00-73dc-b38e-a59d5b6bf344" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019b0269-7b00-7ae7-89a0-faa3d1c30a99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b0269-7b00-7e5a-b1fc-d247f8512bad" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019b0269-7b00-7b5f-8477-192cf4d4e787" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019b0269-7b00-7d39-9fbf-480b8a983236" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019b0269-7b00-7b5f-8477-192cf4d4e787" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019b0269-7b00-77b6-8090-fbdf49f8e6b1" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019b0269-7b00-7b5f-8477-192cf4d4e787" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019b0269-7b00-77b6-8090-fbdf49f8e6b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019b0269-7b00-7e07-9556-3ea39ab3edfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019b0269-7b00-7e07-9556-3ea39ab3edfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSeparatelyRecognizedTransactionsAdditionalDisclosuresAcquisitionCosts_019b0269-7b00-779f-bdb3-8591e5eab9ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSeparatelyRecognizedTransactionsAdditionalDisclosuresAcquisitionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSeparatelyRecognizedTransactionsAdditionalDisclosuresAcquisitionCosts_019b0269-7b00-779f-bdb3-8591e5eab9ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGrossExtinguishmentOfDebt_019b0269-7b00-71c0-a1d1-3d73b335d26f" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGrossExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGrossExtinguishmentOfDebt_019b0269-7b00-71c0-a1d1-3d73b335d26f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_019b0269-7b00-7829-9c1d-32b066dc95a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_019b0269-7b00-7829-9c1d-32b066dc95a2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019b0269-7b00-716c-a98f-c733fee107f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019b0269-7b00-716c-a98f-c733fee107f8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage_019b0269-7b00-7833-91d6-69cc5c530392" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b0269-7b00-7fcf-b3fd-d3ea498fc623" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage_019b0269-7b00-7833-91d6-69cc5c530392" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsBusinessCombinationAccountingOmniLogisticsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsBusinessCombinationAccountingOmniLogisticsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsBusinessCombinationAccountingOmniLogisticsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b026f-5e70-7acb-9bc2-0b7b829aa88d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b026f-5e70-78b2-b564-acbc4f422185" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b026f-5e70-7acb-9bc2-0b7b829aa88d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b026f-5e70-7c92-b421-eb2d5fdffc63" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b026f-5e70-7acb-9bc2-0b7b829aa88d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b026f-5e70-7c92-b421-eb2d5fdffc63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-7c6b-af98-9fdf9004eba1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019b026f-5e70-70c1-9aaa-c0145bf3f4e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-7c6b-af98-9fdf9004eba1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019b026f-5e70-7907-adac-304be3d7467f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-7c6b-af98-9fdf9004eba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019b026f-5e70-7907-adac-304be3d7467f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_019b026f-5e70-7164-9621-d322ec23a880" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-7c6b-af98-9fdf9004eba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_019b026f-5e70-7164-9621-d322ec23a880" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019b026f-5e70-740d-ba8e-80a4bbb12456" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019b026f-5e70-7c6b-af98-9fdf9004eba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019b026f-5e70-740d-ba8e-80a4bbb12456" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-708f-9c93-35ed920cb655" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019b026f-5e70-714c-b176-6a4b5823155b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-708f-9c93-35ed920cb655" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019b026f-5e70-797f-be14-5419a5b531ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-708f-9c93-35ed920cb655" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019b026f-5e70-797f-be14-5419a5b531ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019b026f-5e70-78c7-b678-05252a383e64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019b026f-5e70-708f-9c93-35ed920cb655" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019b026f-5e70-78c7-b678-05252a383e64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableByTypeAxis_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b026f-5e70-74e0-b9f6-14a8a02b980a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableByTypeAxis_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableByTypeAxis_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-788b-8c7e-425dfe2f8c1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableByTypeAxis_019b026f-5e70-7466-a019-66e39cc6620d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-788b-8c7e-425dfe2f8c1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_CommonStockAndSeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7c81-97e4-5f928c12314f" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_CommonStockAndSeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-788b-8c7e-425dfe2f8c1d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_CommonStockAndSeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7c81-97e4-5f928c12314f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7b60-9586-54229c5c7f5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_CommonStockAndSeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7c81-97e4-5f928c12314f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7b60-9586-54229c5c7f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7192-94b6-5e7c536523f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_CommonStockAndSeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7c81-97e4-5f928c12314f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019b026f-5e70-7192-94b6-5e7c536523f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ClassBOpcoMember_019b026f-5e70-76f7-8681-05fe62e278e0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ClassBOpcoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableTypeDomain_019b026f-5e70-788b-8c7e-425dfe2f8c1d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ClassBOpcoMember_019b026f-5e70-76f7-8681-05fe62e278e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019b026f-5e70-7259-8933-4afb462c9525" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019b026f-5e70-7259-8933-4afb462c9525" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_019b026f-5e70-763f-b666-aadf18b76472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_019b026f-5e70-763f-b666-aadf18b76472" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_019b026f-5e70-73b0-889a-8e7363899c2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_019b026f-5e70-73b0-889a-8e7363899c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_019b026f-5e70-74f1-a3d4-f6f2167318d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAbstract_019b026f-5e70-745a-b2c3-a778bdcf8c11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_019b026f-5e70-74f1-a3d4-f6f2167318d7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_019b026f-5e70-7d71-bf32-e1ee39d3fd6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_019b026f-5e70-7d71-bf32-e1ee39d3fd6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_019b026f-5e70-7d84-9593-c2fc4bb72b60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_019b026f-5e70-7d84-9593-c2fc4bb72b60" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019b026f-5e70-7235-9324-03db7c925fff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019b026f-5e70-7235-9324-03db7c925fff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_019b026f-5e70-7a73-9264-deb966fd9f93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_019b026f-5e70-7a73-9264-deb966fd9f93" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets_019b026f-5e70-79e3-baeb-7856de6206ce" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets_019b026f-5e70-79e3-baeb-7856de6206ce" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_019b026f-5e70-7d58-af6c-abcfebf06e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_019b026f-5e70-7d58-af6c-abcfebf06e42" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_019b026f-5e70-7e11-a393-0fc2f19c92f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_019b026f-5e70-7e11-a393-0fc2f19c92f3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-787a-ad0d-6eea3019dd74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-787a-ad0d-6eea3019dd74" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCapitalLeaseObligation_019b026f-5e70-7452-bcbb-cfe54fa1ef22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCapitalLeaseObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCapitalLeaseObligation_019b026f-5e70-7452-bcbb-cfe54fa1ef22" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetAcquiredAndLiabilityAssumedOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-76f9-89cf-920c7b5c8d3e" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetAcquiredAndLiabilityAssumedOperatingLeaseLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetAcquiredAndLiabilityAssumedOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-76f9-89cf-920c7b5c8d3e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_019b026f-5e70-7671-8d0f-ba636ad4c91b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_019b026f-5e70-7671-8d0f-ba636ad4c91b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-72e9-985e-5349cb185ef2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-72e9-985e-5349cb185ef2" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7fb3-a695-f462888b49c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7fb3-a695-f462888b49c1" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019b026f-5e70-79d4-b1c6-f6def2e74588" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNetAbstract_019b026f-5e70-7b2d-84b8-993b755cf343" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019b026f-5e70-79d4-b1c6-f6def2e74588" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentEquityInterests_019b026f-5e70-7363-8c86-339cc1e2db61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentEquityInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentEquityInterests_019b026f-5e70-7363-8c86-339cc1e2db61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentConsiderationTransferred_019b026f-5e70-72fe-b5ab-3bb6d30cf12a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentConsiderationTransferred_019b026f-5e70-72fe-b5ab-3bb6d30cf12a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCashAndCashEquivalentsAcquired_019b026f-5e70-7d03-8b6d-ea5cc7220ce5" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCashAndCashEquivalentsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCashAndCashEquivalentsAcquired_019b026f-5e70-7d03-8b6d-ea5cc7220ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAccountsReceivable_019b026f-5e70-716c-b2cf-243b727e9db9" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAccountsReceivable_019b026f-5e70-716c-b2cf-243b727e9db9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019b026f-5e70-727f-b7dc-c8044cc367ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019b026f-5e70-727f-b7dc-c8044cc367ee" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherAssets_019b026f-5e70-751c-97ff-ffe86b881427" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherAssets_019b026f-5e70-751c-97ff-ffe86b881427" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseOfRightOfUseAssets_019b026f-5e70-7f45-9485-828c8c962f3f" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseOfRightOfUseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseOfRightOfUseAssets_019b026f-5e70-7f45-9485-828c8c962f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentIntangibles_019b026f-5e70-77f8-abd6-ca6f7473c580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentIntangibles"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentIntangibles_019b026f-5e70-77f8-abd6-ca6f7473c580" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAcquisition_019b026f-5e70-7ec3-9eff-06ae0b18388c" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentAcquisition_019b026f-5e70-7ec3-9eff-06ae0b18388c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCurrentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7ef0-a97d-1ee5e389492c" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentCurrentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7ef0-a97d-1ee5e389492c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentFinancialLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7b7e-bec5-5a8c9ab6e08a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentFinancialLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentFinancialLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7b7e-bec5-5a8c9ab6e08a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7d63-893e-66e454e3d0d7" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7d63-893e-66e454e3d0d7" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7e16-808b-25fc659ccbae" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOtherLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-7e16-808b-25fc659ccbae" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-75d8-bbe1-fc36f4bf09f0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-75d8-bbe1-fc36f4bf09f0" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-79fc-b520-170993ca884b" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentLiabilities_019b026f-5e70-79fc-b520-170993ca884b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019b026f-5e70-7491-b477-437fd652080d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentsAbstract_019b026f-5e70-73b4-a4ba-eedbb0bb93c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019b026f-5e70-7491-b477-437fd652080d" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_019b026f-5e70-75c1-b62c-b33571a98119" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_019b026f-5e70-75c1-b62c-b33571a98119" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_019b026f-5e70-7039-aaaf-abc3889f4d91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_019b026f-5e70-7e92-bf09-7c6ea9245f4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_019b026f-5e70-7039-aaaf-abc3889f4d91" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b027a-90f7-7d10-ba81-df9e9471bae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b027a-90f7-7fea-83f1-5f04835cad3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b027a-90f7-7d10-ba81-df9e9471bae6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b027a-90f7-7fea-83f1-5f04835cad3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019b027a-90f7-7fea-83f1-5f04835cad3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b027a-90f7-780e-b5a5-b6832a86cca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019b027a-90f7-709a-a578-1b4e5847e851" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b027a-90f7-780e-b5a5-b6832a86cca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b027a-90f7-7097-98ef-3f96b6c7d809" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019b027a-90f7-780e-b5a5-b6832a86cca1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019b027a-90f7-7097-98ef-3f96b6c7d809" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019b027a-90f7-7038-94d7-7c81c079114f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019b027a-90f7-7d10-ba81-df9e9471bae6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019b027a-90f7-7038-94d7-7c81c079114f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsWeightedAverageUsefulLifeofAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_48c9cbee-96dd-4bc0-b664-8c83bce4dbf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_88166e1a-62e6-4e35-9133-dc4ccac30a7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_48c9cbee-96dd-4bc0-b664-8c83bce4dbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_88166e1a-62e6-4e35-9133-dc4ccac30a7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_88166e1a-62e6-4e35-9133-dc4ccac30a7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_d896c4db-6be4-45b1-a341-c4e343357e62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_8f404911-2647-455d-96d9-917ff32c4cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_d896c4db-6be4-45b1-a341-c4e343357e62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_e535aacc-aaaa-4f40-a519-23e8b5026288" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_d896c4db-6be4-45b1-a341-c4e343357e62" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_e535aacc-aaaa-4f40-a519-23e8b5026288" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_88166e1a-62e6-4e35-9133-dc4ccac30a7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_145aad02-0ecd-44f2-be46-5c8e1b8a1de6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_fdacd543-2354-4cad-9eb1-5b3ad90a9b9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_145aad02-0ecd-44f2-be46-5c8e1b8a1de6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_b0fc05bf-561c-4266-9103-651c429d2646" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_145aad02-0ecd-44f2-be46-5c8e1b8a1de6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_b0fc05bf-561c-4266-9103-651c429d2646" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_ffcc061f-0622-4bf9-82c6-d1d41bf9bd66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_145aad02-0ecd-44f2-be46-5c8e1b8a1de6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_ffcc061f-0622-4bf9-82c6-d1d41bf9bd66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_c5700afa-9e7f-44f6-9565-9dcb146dd7ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_145aad02-0ecd-44f2-be46-5c8e1b8a1de6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_c5700afa-9e7f-44f6-9565-9dcb146dd7ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_6be18208-9a52-49cb-b4ff-2b8b557cbf70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_48c9cbee-96dd-4bc0-b664-8c83bce4dbf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_6be18208-9a52-49cb-b4ff-2b8b557cbf70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsProFormaInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsProFormaInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsProFormaInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cb1f952d-7d31-4d7e-9d11-98478f78469b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_db8457f5-76fd-47f2-a18c-78fa8e24edee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cb1f952d-7d31-4d7e-9d11-98478f78469b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_db8457f5-76fd-47f2-a18c-78fa8e24edee" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_db8457f5-76fd-47f2-a18c-78fa8e24edee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6645b4a0-2f21-446c-8db4-b3f01468dc54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_269cad0e-08f9-4e83-8a34-312c9de26292" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6645b4a0-2f21-446c-8db4-b3f01468dc54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_990e1048-3a7a-4d63-8186-611994d3c1c8" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6645b4a0-2f21-446c-8db4-b3f01468dc54" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_990e1048-3a7a-4d63-8186-611994d3c1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_36f4544e-795f-4e38-bf07-3fb872887e69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cb1f952d-7d31-4d7e-9d11-98478f78469b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_36f4544e-795f-4e38-bf07-3fb872887e69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_4ef2ac46-ad7a-4754-896b-44b2351772e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cb1f952d-7d31-4d7e-9d11-98478f78469b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_4ef2ac46-ad7a-4754-896b-44b2351772e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsLandAirExpressDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsLandAirExpressDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsLandAirExpressDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_008e07e8-ad4c-4584-9707-fb89d9228db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_61befc6a-7543-4020-bd61-8094a6d52287" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_008e07e8-ad4c-4584-9707-fb89d9228db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_61befc6a-7543-4020-bd61-8094a6d52287" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_61befc6a-7543-4020-bd61-8094a6d52287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b8c30cf4-7823-4330-8edc-4ea84f1b107f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_33bcf561-061d-43d1-8985-d85e323b6c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b8c30cf4-7823-4330-8edc-4ea84f1b107f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember_f6812b7d-57ce-41c9-92a1-c87ff9d262ed" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b8c30cf4-7823-4330-8edc-4ea84f1b107f" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember_f6812b7d-57ce-41c9-92a1-c87ff9d262ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_39009934-aaa2-47af-b10b-c9ecbc4f4368" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_008e07e8-ad4c-4584-9707-fb89d9228db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_39009934-aaa2-47af-b10b-c9ecbc4f4368" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfTerminalsAcquired_ddd2afdc-f1c2-472b-9ed0-b8d62544cd52" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfTerminalsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_008e07e8-ad4c-4584-9707-fb89d9228db3" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationNumberOfTerminalsAcquired_ddd2afdc-f1c2-472b-9ed0-b8d62544cd52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsLandAirExpressAssetsAcquiredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#AcquisitionsLandAirExpressAssetsAcquiredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/AcquisitionsLandAirExpressAssetsAcquiredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_34c0ccb3-dd81-4edd-a809-98339a934b4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_34c0ccb3-dd81-4edd-a809-98339a934b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_34c0ccb3-dd81-4edd-a809-98339a934b4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6cff90ff-b5a2-4760-8e70-c2f14cc79949" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_1d501f77-6012-49b5-89ee-7ad726e05860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6cff90ff-b5a2-4760-8e70-c2f14cc79949" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember_58364f80-4d08-483e-a2e3-4ca6341b2913" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_6cff90ff-b5a2-4760-8e70-c2f14cc79949" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LandAirExpressIncMember_58364f80-4d08-483e-a2e3-4ca6341b2913" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_34c0ccb3-dd81-4edd-a809-98339a934b4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f0a878a2-7198-42e9-ab01-1da3cbbf14ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d2038569-22b2-4b44-8082-b6d87b701161" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f0a878a2-7198-42e9-ab01-1da3cbbf14ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1cc14dda-9f15-4aec-afab-4e33a854188b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f0a878a2-7198-42e9-ab01-1da3cbbf14ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1cc14dda-9f15-4aec-afab-4e33a854188b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentChargesAbstract_351fc83e-8a19-45d2-af05-9fbfd823e36b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentChargesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentChargesAbstract_351fc83e-8a19-45d2-af05-9fbfd823e36b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_db69f181-4501-4759-94ea-78e763f537f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentChargesAbstract_351fc83e-8a19-45d2-af05-9fbfd823e36b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_db69f181-4501-4759-94ea-78e763f537f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleAssets_1c33ed9d-3a68-483e-bb1f-962b997416ba" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TangibleAssetImpairmentChargesAbstract_351fc83e-8a19-45d2-af05-9fbfd823e36b" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleAssets_1c33ed9d-3a68-483e-bb1f-962b997416ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_6e4980f6-871b-46bf-845c-45af946671a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_6e4980f6-871b-46bf-845c-45af946671a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_20f79a21-5eec-469a-ab11-470a54c09c81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_6e4980f6-871b-46bf-845c-45af946671a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_20f79a21-5eec-469a-ab11-470a54c09c81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_4a05b223-3cd2-4681-9fcd-5fb987a9ad78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_6e4980f6-871b-46bf-845c-45af946671a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_4a05b223-3cd2-4681-9fcd-5fb987a9ad78" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill_a1a03152-b92d-4bef-8882-e54e1cd7db86" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetIncludingGoodwillAbstract_6e4980f6-871b-46bf-845c-45af946671a7" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill_a1a03152-b92d-4bef-8882-e54e1cd7db86" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_7f743b35-b1ff-4f03-bfe6-634733e3e72c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_7f743b35-b1ff-4f03-bfe6-634733e3e72c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_2c351bfe-7d6a-4e1c-8f83-5eaf2d984b6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_2c351bfe-7d6a-4e1c-8f83-5eaf2d984b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_3ce88c72-2b36-4e61-a88b-ea4ab5a0e96c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_1e9d691d-f4dd-45b4-afc5-81b70de0c884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_3ce88c72-2b36-4e61-a88b-ea4ab5a0e96c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IndebtednessLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e9d80e04-5dc0-4b56-9b08-01fd1d3b0b5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e9d80e04-5dc0-4b56-9b08-01fd1d3b0b5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e9d80e04-5dc0-4b56-9b08-01fd1d3b0b5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_860ccb35-a1bc-4cce-b4f8-a2c82532a014" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_697c85f4-d5fb-4a56-916d-6d0bd8509cef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_860ccb35-a1bc-4cce-b4f8-a2c82532a014" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_60fe3b5b-79ce-480c-b1f2-0c2be6973684" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_860ccb35-a1bc-4cce-b4f8-a2c82532a014" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_60fe3b5b-79ce-480c-b1f2-0c2be6973684" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e9d80e04-5dc0-4b56-9b08-01fd1d3b0b5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fa184b5f-4ddb-433d-96ce-d9a49cd2cf8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_15758cde-6824-4447-ab85-5465269196cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fa184b5f-4ddb-433d-96ce-d9a49cd2cf8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_a6396882-0a03-4343-a1eb-3f99eedb2d1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fa184b5f-4ddb-433d-96ce-d9a49cd2cf8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_a6396882-0a03-4343-a1eb-3f99eedb2d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2765a5ef-a725-4a95-aecf-0f98851e8a38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_2765a5ef-a725-4a95-aecf-0f98851e8a38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_c18f87f9-caba-4358-9843-d5040a97fdaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_c18f87f9-caba-4358-9843-d5040a97fdaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_70432614-e191-4c24-92ce-99071d42b51d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_70432614-e191-4c24-92ce-99071d42b51d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturitiesIncludingDebtIssuanceCosts_1e3ffda7-d735-46d0-b88b-143c32078c25" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturitiesIncludingDebtIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_61e08417-1281-4c64-a184-d26e72346097" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LongTermDebtExcludingCurrentMaturitiesIncludingDebtIssuanceCosts_1e3ffda7-d735-46d0-b88b-143c32078c25" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessSeniorSecuredNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IndebtednessSeniorSecuredNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessSeniorSecuredNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_79af6335-f4a5-49e4-b9bc-a99131f54249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_79af6335-f4a5-49e4-b9bc-a99131f54249" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_79af6335-f4a5-49e4-b9bc-a99131f54249" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019c0918-fdb8-762e-8390-6a6ededfb83a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019c0918-fdb8-7427-969f-c72a4550f9b5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019c0918-fdb8-762e-8390-6a6ededfb83a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_GNBondcoLLCMember_019c0918-fdb8-7300-bbd6-1c559b990e37" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_GNBondcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019c0918-fdb8-762e-8390-6a6ededfb83a" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_GNBondcoLLCMember_019c0918-fdb8-7300-bbd6-1c559b990e37" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_79af6335-f4a5-49e4-b9bc-a99131f54249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7dd0-afb5-92c03f769aa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c0918-fdb8-72a7-9011-a46ba54a0f4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7dd0-afb5-92c03f769aa7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019c0918-fdb8-7f6d-8d5a-9cefae35c0b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7dd0-afb5-92c03f769aa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019c0918-fdb8-7f6d-8d5a-9cefae35c0b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_79af6335-f4a5-49e4-b9bc-a99131f54249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_019c0918-fdb8-76d1-9fbb-462dd69f9adc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_019c0918-fdb8-7774-800b-b2ee537ed73f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_019c0918-fdb8-7774-800b-b2ee537ed73f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_019c0918-fdb8-7cd6-9a1b-1ffaf125f470" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_019c0918-fdb8-7cd6-9a1b-1ffaf125f470" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember_019c0918-fdb8-7148-93c6-9c48c386fce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodThreeMember_019c0918-fdb8-7148-93c6-9c48c386fce6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFourMember_019c0918-fdb8-7a2e-9ec2-c91f18b32164" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFourMember_019c0918-fdb8-7a2e-9ec2-c91f18b32164" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFiveMember_019c0918-fdb8-7cf2-9723-5a0c5edada5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFiveMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_019c0918-fdb8-7239-aa4f-e25547ac973b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodFiveMember_019c0918-fdb8-7cf2-9723-5a0c5edada5d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019c0918-fdb8-7b3f-af5d-60c104986328" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019c0918-fdb8-7b3f-af5d-60c104986328" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019c0918-fdb8-7543-88b6-52b026af1188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019c0918-fdb8-7543-88b6-52b026af1188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentIssuePricePercentage_019c0918-fdb8-7d97-8507-0dd8d0af13a1" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtInstrumentIssuePricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentIssuePricePercentage_019c0918-fdb8-7d97-8507-0dd8d0af13a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_019c0918-fdb8-77d8-ab46-630d0397c5ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_019c0918-fdb8-77d8-ab46-630d0397c5ca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed_019c0918-fdb8-7e4d-ba76-bb4568ab8732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c0918-fdb8-7779-b1f9-d5ba998fb31d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed_019c0918-fdb8-7e4d-ba76-bb4568ab8732" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IndebtednessCreditAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-70c2-84e1-c3b69d20eb94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7f20-80b7-d8e157e14b65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-70c2-84e1-c3b69d20eb94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019c64fd-24e9-74e1-8871-bfec73bdff06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-70c2-84e1-c3b69d20eb94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019c64fd-24e9-74e1-8871-bfec73bdff06" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019c64fd-24e9-7737-850a-da5fe4f2dbe5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019c64fd-24e9-70c2-84e1-c3b69d20eb94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019c64fd-24e9-7737-850a-da5fe4f2dbe5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7c2e-b1bb-a6a023923ff2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019c64fd-24e9-75e7-82e3-f2649234bd0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7c2e-b1bb-a6a023923ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TermLoanBFacilityMember_019c64fd-24e9-7ab2-9319-db44fc857629" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TermLoanBFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7c2e-b1bb-a6a023923ff2" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TermLoanBFacilityMember_019c64fd-24e9-7ab2-9319-db44fc857629" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7344-be6e-2f2fbefa75be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-74ed-a7b6-afd034eb50af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7344-be6e-2f2fbefa75be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019c64fd-24e9-7bc9-acb8-db58e8b2e5ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7344-be6e-2f2fbefa75be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019c64fd-24e9-7bc9-acb8-db58e8b2e5ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7444-ae9e-854127e878e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7ede-b135-8e7363a7745d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7444-ae9e-854127e878e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019c64fd-24e9-79cf-8494-fe1e535a3830" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7444-ae9e-854127e878e8" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019c64fd-24e9-79cf-8494-fe1e535a3830" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7b99-9325-d20d3ba5c19b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FederalFundsOvernightRateMember_019c64fd-24e9-7931-8919-58215d62c1c4" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FederalFundsOvernightRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FederalFundsOvernightRateMember_019c64fd-24e9-7931-8919-58215d62c1c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OneMonthSecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_019c64fd-24e9-7c40-951e-3554ada919cb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OneMonthSecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OneMonthSecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_019c64fd-24e9-7c40-951e-3554ada919cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019c64fd-24e9-7e3a-8da1-9490e9d82c3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019c64fd-24e9-7e3a-8da1-9490e9d82c3d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_AdjustedBaseRateMember_019c64fd-24e9-7a72-a6a2-e0f666e22998" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_AdjustedBaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7209-bf93-80cbbd2ce9ce" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_AdjustedBaseRateMember_019c64fd-24e9-7a72-a6a2-e0f666e22998" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7325-9b58-e0ade9f9376e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7782-8a0a-a7752f2373f4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7325-9b58-e0ade9f9376e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019c64fd-24e9-7317-9792-6928956374aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7325-9b58-e0ade9f9376e" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019c64fd-24e9-7317-9792-6928956374aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019c64fd-24e9-7a58-ad0b-684387abdac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019c64fd-24e9-7325-9b58-e0ade9f9376e" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019c64fd-24e9-7a58-ad0b-684387abdac9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_39c343ac-a65b-45e9-845e-1d8174261d96" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4_default" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_019c64fd-24e9-7fb0-95e3-5d501113b6f4" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2025Member_019c64fd-24e9-784c-95c1-081604e9dd15" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2025Member_019c64fd-24e9-784c-95c1-081604e9dd15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FirstQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-7d26-817a-50150b6a027f" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FirstQuarterOf2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FirstQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-7d26-817a-50150b6a027f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SecondQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-7304-b492-5902b6aa8f79" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SecondQuarterOf2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SecondQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-7304-b492-5902b6aa8f79" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ThirdQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-78ff-ba00-99e6ebeffe58" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ThirdQuarterOf2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ThirdQuarterOf2026Member_019c64fd-24e9-78ff-ba00-99e6ebeffe58" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2026AndThereafterMember_019c64fd-24e9-76aa-99e2-c14b54d659d0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2026AndThereafterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_019c64fd-24e9-7803-a700-9d4c57daeeb1" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2026AndThereafterMember_019c64fd-24e9-76aa-99e2-c14b54d659d0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019c64fd-24e9-702a-9da3-89055c4287a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019c64fd-24e9-702a-9da3-89055c4287a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019c64fd-24e9-7414-800e-0c8933cc8d7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019c64fd-24e9-7414-800e-0c8933cc8d7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019c64fd-24e9-79ff-930a-847fdda1c1a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019c64fd-24e9-79ff-930a-847fdda1c1a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentRedemptionDiscountRate_019c64fd-24e9-7ab3-a136-8fea722673ac" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtInstrumentRedemptionDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentRedemptionDiscountRate_019c64fd-24e9-7ab3-a136-8fea722673ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentAmortizationRatePercentage_019c64fd-24e9-7a86-a30b-51dbfb066b46" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtInstrumentAmortizationRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentAmortizationRatePercentage_019c64fd-24e9-7a86-a30b-51dbfb066b46" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019c64fd-24e9-71bc-b021-78f798ef2829" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019c64fd-24e9-71bc-b021-78f798ef2829" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_019c95d5-9d9e-7bd8-bb0c-8414b3345041" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_019c95d5-9d9e-7bd8-bb0c-8414b3345041" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019c95d7-74be-7fdc-89c4-1b42cad739f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019c95d7-74be-7fdc-89c4-1b42cad739f5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatio_019c64fd-24e9-79c8-935f-89731367ba46" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019c64fd-24e9-738d-8bd1-ee078c2ddf9e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatio_019c64fd-24e9-79c8-935f-89731367ba46" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessLettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IndebtednessLettersofCreditDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessLettersofCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_472d0088-3bd8-4934-b4e1-066575d66b36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a6877571-26db-40f5-99b0-e6a53bef255e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_472d0088-3bd8-4934-b4e1-066575d66b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a6877571-26db-40f5-99b0-e6a53bef255e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_a6877571-26db-40f5-99b0-e6a53bef255e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0396463d-bc5f-42e4-84d1-076b05c77aef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ba18893e-201f-4e4e-a6c9-fd019bdbb26c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0396463d-bc5f-42e4-84d1-076b05c77aef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_64019930-6366-4080-a356-4415c7d65005" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0396463d-bc5f-42e4-84d1-076b05c77aef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_64019930-6366-4080-a356-4415c7d65005" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_4e34fdf5-0d34-49c3-9569-a5d439ea7398" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_472d0088-3bd8-4934-b4e1-066575d66b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_4e34fdf5-0d34-49c3-9569-a5d439ea7398" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_019c494d-7717-7328-9d66-50193958980b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_472d0088-3bd8-4934-b4e1-066575d66b36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_019c494d-7717-7328-9d66-50193958980b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessInterestIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IndebtednessInterestIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IndebtednessInterestIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c51bb253-56d0-40e3-9c19-dd6c055339ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9ac963ec-b402-42a4-b836-248616996f7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c51bb253-56d0-40e3-9c19-dd6c055339ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9ac963ec-b402-42a4-b836-248616996f7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_9ac963ec-b402-42a4-b836-248616996f7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_762212dd-c59a-4fcc-bc13-c9ef8bde58b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_da6da9f0-c257-4443-9c0b-0147acaced2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_762212dd-c59a-4fcc-bc13-c9ef8bde58b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_cc5b0a60-b625-43c9-ae21-aabbe9f0263d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_762212dd-c59a-4fcc-bc13-c9ef8bde58b4" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_cc5b0a60-b625-43c9-ae21-aabbe9f0263d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_926b6532-cfda-4bdc-afa7-7f6e505ef1b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_c51bb253-56d0-40e3-9c19-dd6c055339ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_926b6532-cfda-4bdc-afa7-7f6e505ef1b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019c0930-c601-735f-87a2-88814c6a819b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019c0930-c601-738f-a28d-ed2a1e2de9af" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019c0930-c601-735f-87a2-88814c6a819b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_StockRepurchasePlan2019Member_019c0930-c601-742c-b276-6d3ede6a5a33" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_StockRepurchasePlan2019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019c0930-c601-735f-87a2-88814c6a819b" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_StockRepurchasePlan2019Member_019c0930-c601-742c-b276-6d3ede6a5a33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0930-c601-774e-86a5-01b43da9c365" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c0930-c601-7149-8a16-5db32e71f93c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c0930-c601-7149-8a16-5db32e71f93c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019c0930-f08f-74fb-be63-c97c43c598fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMember_019c0930-f08f-74fb-be63-c97c43c598fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019c0930-f08f-76b6-a518-2732a0236e7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019c0930-f08f-76b6-a518-2732a0236e7d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019c0931-1f76-78dc-a969-c8fc218e363c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019c0931-1f76-78dc-a969-c8fc218e363c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c0931-1f76-79c8-999b-6dca0d6bc757" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0930-c601-7883-9ab0-cea35960f90f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c0931-1f76-79c8-999b-6dca0d6bc757" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c0931-1f76-7b19-a274-32c179cd8266" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_019c0931-1f76-70c2-842a-b04260de4533" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c0931-1f76-7b19-a274-32c179cd8266" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019c0931-1f76-72a4-b617-f1a9b1ff5ff3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_019c0931-1f76-7b19-a274-32c179cd8266" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_019c0931-1f76-72a4-b617-f1a9b1ff5ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0931-1f76-74bf-ba9f-9f45aee39797" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0931-1f76-7c6d-934c-4223e27c6b19" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0931-1f76-74bf-ba9f-9f45aee39797" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c0931-1f76-7dd0-b207-ff3fc71ad117" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0931-1f76-74bf-ba9f-9f45aee39797" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c0931-1f76-7dd0-b207-ff3fc71ad117" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_be328dea-3d3c-40a6-9b3c-c8245567ef96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ca05e-03fe-7f77-968e-da9586f79c8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ca05e-03fe-75d6-9f3e-f637f258acb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ca05e-03fe-7f77-968e-da9586f79c8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019ca05e-03fe-728f-91f7-a55826c93d17" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ca05e-03fe-7f77-968e-da9586f79c8f" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniNewcoLLCMember_019ca05e-03fe-728f-91f7-a55826c93d17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019c0930-c601-77aa-90f8-77d654d019cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019c0930-c601-77aa-90f8-77d654d019cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c0930-c601-7bf4-a56d-42ed59aa82ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019c0930-c601-7bf4-a56d-42ed59aa82ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019c0930-c601-72b9-9d0f-6fe8d6481793" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019c0930-c601-72b9-9d0f-6fe8d6481793" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019c0930-c601-7b56-ae55-157a9841213a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019c0930-c601-7b56-ae55-157a9841213a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ShareRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedShares_019c0930-c601-77d2-865a-616b169e4793" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ShareRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ShareRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedShares_019c0930-c601-77d2-865a-616b169e4793" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019c0930-c601-7480-9198-2637d940cc76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019c0930-c601-7480-9198-2637d940cc76" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_019c0930-c601-7231-9aaa-a3d27c19fc5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_019c0930-c601-7231-9aaa-a3d27c19fc5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationExchangeOptionNumberOfSharesExchangeable_019c0930-f08f-7eb5-88a7-29bda48a053a" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessCombinationExchangeOptionNumberOfSharesExchangeable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessCombinationExchangeOptionNumberOfSharesExchangeable_019c0930-f08f-7eb5-88a7-29bda48a053a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSecuritiesRepresentedByEachFractionalUnit_019ca05e-03fe-726a-819b-29fb3715c709" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSecuritiesRepresentedByEachFractionalUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSecuritiesRepresentedByEachFractionalUnit_019ca05e-03fe-726a-819b-29fb3715c709" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019c0930-f08f-7678-a1e6-c3bd2e922d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019c0930-f08f-7678-a1e6-c3bd2e922d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_PreferredStockCumulativeAnnualDividendSpreadPercentageAboveYield_019c0930-f08f-7170-babf-d6c186a3036d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_PreferredStockCumulativeAnnualDividendSpreadPercentageAboveYield"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_PreferredStockCumulativeAnnualDividendSpreadPercentageAboveYield_019c0930-f08f-7170-babf-d6c186a3036d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c0931-1f76-71de-9999-6ad5259ad88f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c0931-1f76-71de-9999-6ad5259ad88f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_019c0931-4b81-7cf9-b8eb-d3489d56f9d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_019c0931-4b81-7cf9-b8eb-d3489d56f9d0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConvertedPercentOfOutstanding_019c0931-4b81-70b0-bf9e-17e678307b51" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConvertedPercentOfOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019c0930-c601-7930-8b88-66f88b2bacec" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConvertedPercentOfOutstanding_019c0931-4b81-70b0-bf9e-17e678307b51" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ShareholdersEquityIssuanceandExchangeActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityIssuanceandExchangeActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/ShareholdersEquityIssuanceandExchangeActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_019c0923-7082-7ec2-9ad8-b6ead4518f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_019c0923-7082-7ca0-a3c2-34dc3d11db31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_019c0923-7082-7ec2-9ad8-b6ead4518f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_019c0923-7082-7ca0-a3c2-34dc3d11db31" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_019c0923-7082-7ca0-a3c2-34dc3d11db31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7012-b4c3-1899c10ff15c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c0923-7082-7069-908e-a034e2e45086" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7012-b4c3-1899c10ff15c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c0923-7082-74fb-9105-6c90caf17ce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7012-b4c3-1899c10ff15c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019c0923-7082-74fb-9105-6c90caf17ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember_019c0923-7082-7df4-ad4f-7cfb9b5a7edb" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c0923-7082-7012-b4c3-1899c10ff15c" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SeriesC2PreferredUnitsMember_019c0923-7082-7df4-ad4f-7cfb9b5a7edb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_019c0923-7082-7ca0-a3c2-34dc3d11db31" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0923-7082-7b1c-b06e-83e64be66b7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019c0923-7082-777d-817f-e327d0b7ad15" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0923-7082-7b1c-b06e-83e64be66b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c0923-7082-7589-abb9-4c870de25b05" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019c0923-7082-7b1c-b06e-83e64be66b7a" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ClueOpcoLLCMember_019c0923-7082-7589-abb9-4c870de25b05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_019c0923-7082-7ca0-a3c2-34dc3d11db31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_019c64dd-fb0e-74aa-9364-9bc2e7911ae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockByUniqueDescriptionAxis_019c64dd-fb0e-7d0f-8f15-00b84d10547b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_019c64dd-fb0e-74aa-9364-9bc2e7911ae8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember_019c64de-2298-7881-be53-7ebffbfa3ab4" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockNameDomain_019c64dd-fb0e-74aa-9364-9bc2e7911ae8" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SeriesCConversionMember_019c64de-2298-7881-be53-7ebffbfa3ab4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019c0923-7082-74a0-97d3-fa514fbf5f17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_019c0923-7082-7ec2-9ad8-b6ead4518f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019c0923-7082-74a0-97d3-fa514fbf5f17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c0923-7082-77b4-8b25-ab10423f8612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019c0923-7082-74a0-97d3-fa514fbf5f17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c0923-7082-77b4-8b25-ab10423f8612" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsAcquisitions_019c0923-7082-7601-b464-d78ea800ca4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019c0923-7082-74a0-97d3-fa514fbf5f17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsAcquisitions_019c0923-7082-7601-b464-d78ea800ca4e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_019c0923-7082-70dc-b73c-074db6ac006d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019c0923-7082-74a0-97d3-fa514fbf5f17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConverted_019c0923-7082-70dc-b73c-074db6ac006d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019c0923-7082-7fe3-a48b-94e6afbd0e65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_019c0923-7082-7c57-90c9-449faf08e034" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_019c0923-7082-7ec2-9ad8-b6ead4518f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_019c0923-7082-7c57-90c9-449faf08e034" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanDisclosureofShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanDisclosureofShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanDisclosureofShareBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c9e2cc3d-ce32-4fc4-b67d-cd85f21bd0c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_40fd3e34-15b4-498e-9670-18c0fd7c656d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c9e2cc3d-ce32-4fc4-b67d-cd85f21bd0c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_40fd3e34-15b4-498e-9670-18c0fd7c656d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_40fd3e34-15b4-498e-9670-18c0fd7c656d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_7c976055-eaa1-4b3c-bd92-48c7966cb23e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOperatingActivitiesSegmentAxis_75ce58f7-570f-4a40-9f3a-bb3930e870ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_7c976055-eaa1-4b3c-bd92-48c7966cb23e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_7532cd53-0279-48d3-a084-72037b124ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_7c976055-eaa1-4b3c-bd92-48c7966cb23e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentContinuingOperationsMember_7532cd53-0279-48d3-a084-72037b124ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_c2c75db8-3e64-48c7-a339-e86a5f802cc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentOperatingActivitiesDomain_7c976055-eaa1-4b3c-bd92-48c7966cb23e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_c2c75db8-3e64-48c7-a339-e86a5f802cc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_40fd3e34-15b4-498e-9670-18c0fd7c656d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_28c3afdd-4bac-44f7-9475-93ad3361c22c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0767e52b-5b28-47c2-a23c-581ae771300a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_28c3afdd-4bac-44f7-9475-93ad3361c22c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember_1d1a5512-a964-4bc6-8480-8168fbc3682d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_28c3afdd-4bac-44f7-9475-93ad3361c22c" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember_1d1a5512-a964-4bc6-8480-8168fbc3682d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ea8d5aa7-c6f9-4f9f-9714-1db78a73233b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_c9e2cc3d-ce32-4fc4-b67d-cd85f21bd0c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_ea8d5aa7-c6f9-4f9f-9714-1db78a73233b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_53783734-1ee1-4d45-a94b-9b62eedb78df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_53783734-1ee1-4d45-a94b-9b62eedb78df" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_53783734-1ee1-4d45-a94b-9b62eedb78df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4b77241a-f07c-4e06-bf83-a01979ecc633" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_8c2c7d55-0374-48df-95f4-69871127f8a7" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_8c2c7d55-0374-48df-95f4-69871127f8a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_a60786db-da9c-46ce-b5d9-17622d3b1eb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_a60786db-da9c-46ce-b5d9-17622d3b1eb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_NonEmployeeDirectorStockOptionsMember_b9567b7f-3761-4d90-8e31-d7ee6c019b4d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_NonEmployeeDirectorStockOptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_NonEmployeeDirectorStockOptionsMember_b9567b7f-3761-4d90-8e31-d7ee6c019b4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_e81e780d-9082-40b2-8a50-fa98b7b99a61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_e81e780d-9082-40b2-8a50-fa98b7b99a61" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember_e1335650-a50b-4805-9644-a5457d5ba4e4" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember_e1335650-a50b-4805-9644-a5457d5ba4e4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember_a2b30ee8-ba39-476a-a88a-094f36b035a6" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_EmployeeNonVestedSharesMember_a2b30ee8-ba39-476a-a88a-094f36b035a6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_38450619-1c32-4e1d-bbb5-f046c108b233" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_dc4ce50a-ddb4-41e2-95ce-c14e04be3e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_38450619-1c32-4e1d-bbb5-f046c108b233" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_53783734-1ee1-4d45-a94b-9b62eedb78df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_0abf9495-da68-4716-9768-6a3c7e457d1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_ad1a4cc2-e2fd-4df8-b20f-d24cb1e40b08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_0abf9495-da68-4716-9768-6a3c7e457d1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_f0ffb0ef-b8ef-4af0-bb4a-bc8ea7611a81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_0abf9495-da68-4716-9768-6a3c7e457d1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_f0ffb0ef-b8ef-4af0-bb4a-bc8ea7611a81" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_4641a01f-0b51-4af4-bbea-e4bc1e6ab435" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_4641a01f-0b51-4af4-bbea-e4bc1e6ab435" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_aee36c88-1cb8-4b2f-b2f3-91a93d25539b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_aee36c88-1cb8-4b2f-b2f3-91a93d25539b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_88ee44e3-62c9-4bdd-b8db-c6b4ce437ff4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_88ee44e3-62c9-4bdd-b8db-c6b4ce437ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_ba997b4a-cbd7-4b5c-8f1a-fa475a6fe5bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_ba997b4a-cbd7-4b5c-8f1a-fa475a6fe5bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_0f40940d-01bc-4335-9adf-2fc3a740fb0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_0f40940d-01bc-4335-9adf-2fc3a740fb0c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_06006848-9549-4248-a7d7-d06cebd87e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_06006848-9549-4248-a7d7-d06cebd87e84" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1_b5424f3a-f307-4b1f-93f4-706e15f7d7ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1_b5424f3a-f307-4b1f-93f4-706e15f7d7ea" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_44e61a5b-4bb3-4a75-a0a9-45bccf32d14d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_44e61a5b-4bb3-4a75-a0a9-45bccf32d14d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_4fc83f6e-adc0-4fc3-a2ad-5c80abb76539" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_4fc83f6e-adc0-4fc3-a2ad-5c80abb76539" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_09f60a15-0a93-4b47-9f11-4d49a2ea503b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_09f60a15-0a93-4b47-9f11-4d49a2ea503b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_019c64d8-4309-7dce-b105-35d14068ab9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_019c64d8-4309-7dce-b105-35d14068ab9a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d9d253f8-68b5-450f-919b-a694aba467fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d9d253f8-68b5-450f-919b-a694aba467fd" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_f8ffd2b1-9f23-4db8-bea3-85d1fa834b4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_f8ffd2b1-9f23-4db8-bea3-85d1fa834b4d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod_83a28707-ac3a-4ae9-af0f-2ad8fe60fd6b" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod_83a28707-ac3a-4ae9-af0f-2ad8fe60fd6b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_MinimumPercentageOfSharesAttainable_8478009a-67fb-4f83-a50a-3058e3138812" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_MinimumPercentageOfSharesAttainable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_MinimumPercentageOfSharesAttainable_8478009a-67fb-4f83-a50a-3058e3138812" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_MaximumPercentageOfSharesAttainable_9951e103-e6dd-4b28-a72f-aa9267fda123" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_MaximumPercentageOfSharesAttainable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_MaximumPercentageOfSharesAttainable_9951e103-e6dd-4b28-a72f-aa9267fda123" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedNetOfTaxBenefitExpense_539721bd-3b29-43dd-bbdd-94209aa51b7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedNetOfTaxBenefitExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedNetOfTaxBenefitExpense_539721bd-3b29-43dd-bbdd-94209aa51b7f" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate_7d4247b3-75fc-4271-9d77-7bd22f452a51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate_7d4247b3-75fc-4271-9d77-7bd22f452a51" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod_3e54a162-ee11-4093-8d8d-51d851586d3a" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod_3e54a162-ee11-4093-8d8d-51d851586d3a" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToESPPStockPurchases_8fab46c8-b313-43dc-ae2b-e0eff0b9fff8" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToESPPStockPurchases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b50457d4-a07f-4c9f-84cd-03128ef757bf" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToESPPStockPurchases_8fab46c8-b313-43dc-ae2b-e0eff0b9fff8" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanWeightedAverageAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_14516f0f-3c1c-4991-9f08-1b261261019f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_2d82ef5b-2307-47f7-bfaf-f390e54d446a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_14516f0f-3c1c-4991-9f08-1b261261019f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_2d82ef5b-2307-47f7-bfaf-f390e54d446a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_2d82ef5b-2307-47f7-bfaf-f390e54d446a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_be336c85-e2b0-4572-b2d8-fb58bef97a57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_81fec003-13f2-4897-87e0-ff51a77da879" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_be336c85-e2b0-4572-b2d8-fb58bef97a57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_49d646c8-47d2-4f1c-8b38-066c12203557" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_be336c85-e2b0-4572-b2d8-fb58bef97a57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_49d646c8-47d2-4f1c-8b38-066c12203557" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_49b98a0c-36c1-4f39-a59d-df2d10988cc9" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_be336c85-e2b0-4572-b2d8-fb58bef97a57" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_49b98a0c-36c1-4f39-a59d-df2d10988cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_37287677-338c-4d90-9f4c-ab8d33ac29a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_14516f0f-3c1c-4991-9f08-1b261261019f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_37287677-338c-4d90-9f4c-ab8d33ac29a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_14516f0f-3c1c-4991-9f08-1b261261019f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_a412e2e2-c90b-4225-8182-38a9e695f1d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_a412e2e2-c90b-4225-8182-38a9e695f1d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_d27e9c67-f00f-4701-8a1e-9fee1c1ae8c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_d27e9c67-f00f-4701-8a1e-9fee1c1ae8c3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_ef7eb1a3-d49f-4690-a16f-36f22b357bee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_ef7eb1a3-d49f-4690-a16f-36f22b357bee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_68594743-f647-4d7c-8546-b547749b573d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_6c48f1a6-c005-41b4-bff2-6d7362ebc606" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_68594743-f647-4d7c-8546-b547749b573d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanRollForwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanRollForwardActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanRollForwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_90bc48b2-a4f3-4cc8-8891-f5898b917da1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_90bc48b2-a4f3-4cc8-8891-f5898b917da1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_90bc48b2-a4f3-4cc8-8891-f5898b917da1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_53af7bc7-ea2e-4506-8649-11c921acb62e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_5fd5d4e9-3ef9-48c2-9a30-e14ceed4e6b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_5fd5d4e9-3ef9-48c2-9a30-e14ceed4e6b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_d5ed28e9-4444-4f57-947d-860d12593623" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_d5ed28e9-4444-4f57-947d-860d12593623" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_dfd4a216-4efd-448d-8935-2a7daad43ab2" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember_dfd4a216-4efd-448d-8935-2a7daad43ab2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember_ba906335-ed6c-4207-afe1-7fb6f521f47c" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1243f3dd-5eea-4dcd-86ea-7ad0961083c6" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember_ba906335-ed6c-4207-afe1-7fb6f521f47c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_aa5ea395-7d0f-4bb2-b3bf-69291b617e99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_aa5ea395-7d0f-4bb2-b3bf-69291b617e99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_6fe1ad25-0ee2-4621-a7e1-5d53ae336012" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_6fe1ad25-0ee2-4621-a7e1-5d53ae336012" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_9e143b63-a2b2-45b7-806f-4d0644990ba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_9e143b63-a2b2-45b7-806f-4d0644990ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_6316bedd-54ae-4613-8866-7dd4ac7e32ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_16d34357-6507-40c0-b50a-deaebdaa98a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_6316bedd-54ae-4613-8866-7dd4ac7e32ce" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_8d593684-ce2f-4fba-b274-ce8c8ed02352" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_52213900-e143-452b-ab99-7d23b6efa1f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_52213900-e143-452b-ab99-7d23b6efa1f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_d27ab488-ba92-44b5-805d-73a54f608b28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_d27ab488-ba92-44b5-805d-73a54f608b28" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_80c0e68c-4aed-49b8-961c-ef0f13b10f0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_80c0e68c-4aed-49b8-961c-ef0f13b10f0e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_288d4942-34cd-483e-acf7-40d0697c2a12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_a7a57748-2ea1-42b7-b134-155cf3419440" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_288d4942-34cd-483e-acf7-40d0697c2a12" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a4365f07-a0d4-4c75-805d-653eb9932f51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_bc3824c2-5d1e-4360-9c03-d2ac7efcc018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_bc3824c2-5d1e-4360-9c03-d2ac7efcc018" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1c7ce5c8-4ca2-4b78-aa71-83a49ef336ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1c7ce5c8-4ca2-4b78-aa71-83a49ef336ac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6f148712-9dd7-4f55-bd69-68f3dbeddc9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6f148712-9dd7-4f55-bd69-68f3dbeddc9b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_0365d709-c9c2-4737-acb4-dc1e13f43ae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_100a55fc-21ee-483d-ac5e-1492270224b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_0365d709-c9c2-4737-acb4-dc1e13f43ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_42f976a2-3441-41b3-9f8f-25d78b565ba4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d793e502-4de8-4287-8363-fda239a2980e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d793e502-4de8-4287-8363-fda239a2980e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_72bc4d39-7dbf-4d2b-a5aa-fc41a2bd5394" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_72bc4d39-7dbf-4d2b-a5aa-fc41a2bd5394" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_41104584-cd5e-4070-8a87-2da1d88953ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_41104584-cd5e-4070-8a87-2da1d88953ae" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6a18caaa-4701-477c-a4f4-8ffbbe27a385" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_6a09be5a-b239-4a94-b72d-58763c9d4154" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6a18caaa-4701-477c-a4f4-8ffbbe27a385" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d5ec9d2c-53e6-467f-9c32-18ff3ffd19ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_322a7d9d-4e06-4e31-9b33-c72b9172060b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e3f7ce8c-949f-4afa-b350-17f986f4347f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_322a7d9d-4e06-4e31-9b33-c72b9172060b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanExercisePriceRangeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanExercisePriceRangeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanExercisePriceRangeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_476b30d3-ce50-44b8-b0b7-593340a0188b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_476b30d3-ce50-44b8-b0b7-593340a0188b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_476b30d3-ce50-44b8-b0b7-593340a0188b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_b0d5d217-414e-43dc-a68e-488f75bad891" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeAxis_32d5df62-5e8e-4190-8581-fbf3aaab9d78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_b0d5d217-414e-43dc-a68e-488f75bad891" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ExercisePriceRangeOneMember_019c329b-ddb2-7ef8-aba2-0e30ddcc98b2" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ExercisePriceRangeOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeDomain_b0d5d217-414e-43dc-a68e-488f75bad891" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ExercisePriceRangeOneMember_019c329b-ddb2-7ef8-aba2-0e30ddcc98b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit_d4368fc6-4b59-489a-a718-c140a26629c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeLowerRangeLimit_d4368fc6-4b59-489a-a718-c140a26629c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit_b4e4eaff-cc70-4772-8274-da7897b5c0ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeUpperRangeLimit_b4e4eaff-cc70-4772-8274-da7897b5c0ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions_f51db4c8-5bac-4e4b-8789-67c0adc96bbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeNumberOfOutstandingOptions_f51db4c8-5bac-4e4b-8789-67c0adc96bbf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_c46a7a0a-b0cb-402c-9944-65d1281c7db8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_c46a7a0a-b0cb-402c-9944-65d1281c7db8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1_b21ae4ec-ac3f-44f3-888c-8acf7aa0a94d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageExercisePriceBeginningBalance1_b21ae4ec-ac3f-44f3-888c-8acf7aa0a94d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_a0840353-5a2f-411f-a9ad-cab7dcba777b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_a0840353-5a2f-411f-a9ad-cab7dcba777b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a2c1f949-eac1-4803-9c85-3d506a29d1b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a8a6c85f-4005-4e88-b6b7-088f4767ddc2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a2c1f949-eac1-4803-9c85-3d506a29d1b5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#StockIncentivePlanEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/StockIncentivePlanEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresTable_f76deb47-9e8d-4ba4-8cdd-bfa2c168a141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresTable_f76deb47-9e8d-4ba4-8cdd-bfa2c168a141" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresTable_f76deb47-9e8d-4ba4-8cdd-bfa2c168a141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8cafbb57-1181-4b5a-8deb-811df5814986" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7d02c825-47f1-4243-ad76-63b1cfbd65ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8cafbb57-1181-4b5a-8deb-811df5814986" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_7737454e-8d69-4368-a4ac-34567a5153f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8cafbb57-1181-4b5a-8deb-811df5814986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_7737454e-8d69-4368-a4ac-34567a5153f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_85ba65d6-5234-4972-85d6-6edd2746bb9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_85ba65d6-5234-4972-85d6-6edd2746bb9a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerShareWeightedAveragePriceOfSharesPurchased_ee5da5fc-736c-4842-855e-caf2e19f0524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerShareWeightedAveragePriceOfSharesPurchased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerShareWeightedAveragePriceOfSharesPurchased_ee5da5fc-736c-4842-855e-caf2e19f0524" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_48a2e441-38b6-4efe-91af-9e76e6c7b8a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_48a2e441-38b6-4efe-91af-9e76e6c7b8a7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_091fae72-c633-4298-9b12-cb7d8e21da83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_091fae72-c633-4298-9b12-cb7d8e21da83" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod_019b0234-261e-7735-9570-8b4cb3ed57d0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPDisclosuresLineItems_cafdffdf-593f-4178-b6eb-3a39b82cdcd0" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod_019b0234-261e-7735-9570-8b4cb3ed57d0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IncomeTaxesCashIncomeTaxesPaidbyJurisdictionDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IncomeTaxesCashIncomeTaxesPaidbyJurisdictionDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IncomeTaxesCashIncomeTaxesPaidbyJurisdictionDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_019c3318-11ee-735f-924e-8524ce4a2bc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_019c3318-11ee-735f-924e-8524ce4a2bc1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_019c3318-11ee-735f-924e-8524ce4a2bc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_019c3318-11ee-7b81-9637-c4619f067502" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_019c3318-11ee-7e10-b282-cb5c2cfbeda7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_019c3318-11ee-7b81-9637-c4619f067502" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_019c64a5-4510-76a9-a7d6-ff619ee3fb8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_019c3318-11ee-7b81-9637-c4619f067502" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_019c64a5-4510-76a9-a7d6-ff619ee3fb8c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_HK_019c70b3-713d-7e11-a5e1-9c6edce328cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025/country-2025.xsd#country_HK"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_019c64a5-4510-76a9-a7d6-ff619ee3fb8c" xlink:to="loc_country_HK_019c70b3-713d-7e11-a5e1-9c6edce328cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_MX_019c70b3-713d-73d0-b040-89ac75ab08f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025/country-2025.xsd#country_MX"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_019c64a5-4510-76a9-a7d6-ff619ee3fb8c" xlink:to="loc_country_MX_019c70b3-713d-73d0-b040-89ac75ab08f9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidForeignAfterRefundReceived_019c64a6-8632-715f-81fe-68c9534daafb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidForeignAfterRefundReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidForeignAfterRefundReceived_019c64a6-8632-715f-81fe-68c9534daafb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidFederalAfterRefundReceived_019c64a9-0880-722a-8596-55325075aafc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidFederalAfterRefundReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxPaidFederalAfterRefundReceived_019c64a9-0880-722a-8596-55325075aafc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_IncomeTaxPaidStateAndLocalOtherForeignAfterRefundReceived_019c95f5-5cc5-7fc0-8ab1-541b9edf5f26" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_IncomeTaxPaidStateAndLocalOtherForeignAfterRefundReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_IncomeTaxPaidStateAndLocalOtherForeignAfterRefundReceived_019c95f5-5cc5-7fc0-8ab1-541b9edf5f26" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_019c3318-11ee-7bff-9c2d-9a0467049ec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_019c3318-11ee-7f04-8e5a-b8801730a37e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_019c3318-11ee-7bff-9c2d-9a0467049ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_420a14b8-3964-4a4a-a5f4-5fe122db3efa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_420a14b8-3964-4a4a-a5f4-5fe122db3efa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_420a14b8-3964-4a4a-a5f4-5fe122db3efa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0b4f56e8-6b4e-42c4-a3b8-0389d3152129" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_8b15d254-21e3-4cbe-a3d8-474791e5bcfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0b4f56e8-6b4e-42c4-a3b8-0389d3152129" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_804e005e-1f91-4d84-9332-073d13a1ddf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0b4f56e8-6b4e-42c4-a3b8-0389d3152129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_804e005e-1f91-4d84-9332-073d13a1ddf1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_fa5caec5-630f-4096-a112-e071575928e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0b4f56e8-6b4e-42c4-a3b8-0389d3152129" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_fa5caec5-630f-4096-a112-e071575928e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic_019c9308-3c36-7b85-a0bf-183a3db059a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic_019c9308-3c36-7b85-a0bf-183a3db059a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign_019c9308-3c36-7942-aba0-9f73d6bdbe71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign_019c9308-3c36-7942-aba0-9f73d6bdbe71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid_dc80358b-4ad9-4643-8416-76e4d6d65e2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid_dc80358b-4ad9-4643-8416-76e4d6d65e2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal_0a72c529-8fa0-4f87-a38e-fd4956385f03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsStateAndLocal_0a72c529-8fa0-4f87-a38e-fd4956385f03" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsValuationAllowance_9fcaa15c-c5a9-43c9-bc08-4ff1c416c875" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsValuationAllowance_9fcaa15c-c5a9-43c9-bc08-4ff1c416c875" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_35c42a2b-87f3-453f-8c68-ad5665ef4866" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_35c42a2b-87f3-453f-8c68-ad5665ef4866" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_495fdf4b-126e-4e61-9a48-5fa04e9dd5d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits_495fdf4b-126e-4e61-9a48-5fa04e9dd5d2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued_acbd9b00-7cb7-482f-a028-096051c760d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAccrued_acbd9b00-7cb7-482f-a028-096051c760d0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreement_4e329890-deae-48e5-8b65-916f25f8a6dd" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreement_4e329890-deae-48e5-8b65-916f25f8a6dd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019c64a4-3965-7b74-b396-3d916d7971c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_d2f7b21f-8518-4028-a7fb-a708daecfc57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxesPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019c64a4-3965-7b74-b396-3d916d7971c8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_1cb6725c-2de7-4a84-97de-6cb717edf4aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_1cb6725c-2de7-4a84-97de-6cb717edf4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_1cb6725c-2de7-4a84-97de-6cb717edf4aa" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_02e433bb-d39a-4825-bcce-ab4fdc67220f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5e4aa5e9-4fd6-41f1-97cf-dce443641093" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_02e433bb-d39a-4825-bcce-ab4fdc67220f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a205b63c-05cd-4d99-88a3-eb64d9739a8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_02e433bb-d39a-4825-bcce-ab4fdc67220f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a205b63c-05cd-4d99-88a3-eb64d9739a8f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3e3a06a7-9af5-4904-ada1-39fa22f883ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_02e433bb-d39a-4825-bcce-ab4fdc67220f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3e3a06a7-9af5-4904-ada1-39fa22f883ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_1cb6725c-2de7-4a84-97de-6cb717edf4aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_d1188d1d-2ded-4003-9f85-0b5b4931db11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_657128ca-278e-4114-8ac2-d285dfafd105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_d1188d1d-2ded-4003-9f85-0b5b4931db11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_61e1c1ad-3997-47bd-a50d-ffc954ef92f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_d1188d1d-2ded-4003-9f85-0b5b4931db11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_61e1c1ad-3997-47bd-a50d-ffc954ef92f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_ec9a1396-dd0c-4066-8519-db860619f52d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SubleaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_ec9a1396-dd0c-4066-8519-db860619f52d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions_4e0f768e-506a-4651-8e13-58c6a5f6ff56" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions_4e0f768e-506a-4651-8e13-58c6a5f6ff56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_16ea1638-f31b-4b98-8305-6a630b9ef0b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_16ea1638-f31b-4b98-8305-6a630b9ef0b7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableLeaseCost_40402549-6b3c-4a0a-8cd6-9af39e9f1309" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_VariableLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_d1a4d184-422e-409b-9e1a-a1e98700871d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableLeaseCost_40402549-6b3c-4a0a-8cd6-9af39e9f1309" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019c096d-a647-780f-b53a-42ab68a37a33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_61a539fd-5f92-4025-ae26-711ff718d263" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019c096d-a647-780f-b53a-42ab68a37a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_61a539fd-5f92-4025-ae26-711ff718d263" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_61a539fd-5f92-4025-ae26-711ff718d263" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019c096d-a647-71a3-b79e-7c14bab95cc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019c096d-a647-7a71-bd35-f9391ac105fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019c096d-a647-71a3-b79e-7c14bab95cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ShareholderComplaintMember_019c096d-a647-7692-a149-b2a631c38834" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ShareholderComplaintMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019c096d-a647-71a3-b79e-7c14bab95cc2" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ShareholderComplaintMember_019c096d-a647-7692-a149-b2a631c38834" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs_019c096d-a647-77c5-842a-b00696316e69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019c096d-a647-780f-b53a-42ab68a37a33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs_019c096d-a647-77c5-842a-b00696316e69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetailsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetailsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonaRecurringBasisDetailsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9a69d27c-6423-478f-a536-6cd743ca25b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_aa25e0b4-d7b0-4303-9174-f5250ed342a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9a69d27c-6423-478f-a536-6cd743ca25b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_aa25e0b4-d7b0-4303-9174-f5250ed342a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_aa25e0b4-d7b0-4303-9174-f5250ed342a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb57950a-bbf1-4d78-b718-07d38b199df6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_45d1baf7-d30f-4226-bfbc-e348a3c6dabc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb57950a-bbf1-4d78-b718-07d38b199df6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_ea9f8ae2-ded1-46de-8c6e-2442bba3da7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb57950a-bbf1-4d78-b718-07d38b199df6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_ea9f8ae2-ded1-46de-8c6e-2442bba3da7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e96e6445-6051-4652-9031-be3188a277e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb57950a-bbf1-4d78-b718-07d38b199df6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_e96e6445-6051-4652-9031-be3188a277e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_80b3977b-2178-4267-91e1-51f19d8d3051" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fb57950a-bbf1-4d78-b718-07d38b199df6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_80b3977b-2178-4267-91e1-51f19d8d3051" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d5d675d1-66fd-455e-b580-0125c9b89fd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9a69d27c-6423-478f-a536-6cd743ca25b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d5d675d1-66fd-455e-b580-0125c9b89fd4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019c333e-7561-726e-9b58-82bb6f08475c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019c333e-7561-726e-9b58-82bb6f08475c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019c333e-7561-726e-9b58-82bb6f08475c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c333e-7561-7972-80f5-a28c41e4aa87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019c333e-7561-7fd2-94cd-45ec23e8aa96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c333e-7561-7972-80f5-a28c41e4aa87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c333e-7561-7016-b6ea-fdaaf26a6326" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019c333e-7561-7972-80f5-a28c41e4aa87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019c333e-7561-7016-b6ea-fdaaf26a6326" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019c333e-7561-78f3-968f-e59f5a648d83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019c333e-7561-78f3-968f-e59f5a648d83" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosurePeriodIncreaseDecrease_019c9646-bece-7ba0-b9ed-84e414b7c756" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosurePeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosurePeriodIncreaseDecrease_019c9646-bece-7ba0-b9ed-84e414b7c756" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMinimumAmount_019c333e-7561-706e-ab13-52b3c715aee0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMinimumAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMinimumAmount_019c333e-7561-706e-ab13-52b3c715aee0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMaximumAmount_019c333e-7561-79f8-89d4-1c1109d2b3d0" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMaximumAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMaximumAmount_019c333e-7561-79f8-89d4-1c1109d2b3d0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019c333e-7561-7adf-9dc8-6c960531fd69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019c333e-7561-7adf-9dc8-6c960531fd69" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019c333e-7561-7f27-9b17-01d51ed77206" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019c333e-7561-759e-a074-4df1bc952c30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019c333e-7561-7f27-9b17-01d51ed77206" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/SegmentReportingSegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#SegmentReportingSegmentInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/SegmentReportingSegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5bdfc3b-53e5-48a5-975a-feebd6caaa77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5bdfc3b-53e5-48a5-975a-feebd6caaa77" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5bdfc3b-53e5-48a5-975a-feebd6caaa77" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2160a11e-fd09-4b4d-9948-0d373d49c1d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a74bd627-f9d0-4d2e-aa38-03b58a001b78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a74bd627-f9d0-4d2e-aa38-03b58a001b78" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_81b16005-9c6c-4471-a016-8303f8fec990" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_81b16005-9c6c-4471-a016-8303f8fec990" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OperatingSegmentsExcludingIntersegmentEliminationMember_019b017d-b3c7-71f7-84cf-469879cdf476" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OperatingSegmentsExcludingIntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OperatingSegmentsExcludingIntersegmentEliminationMember_019b017d-b3c7-71f7-84cf-469879cdf476" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_3f6db0a0-3e9f-4da1-8a78-db125ea3d804" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72a9fbc2-0592-428d-adf3-266d1fbd0ab4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_3f6db0a0-3e9f-4da1-8a78-db125ea3d804" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5bdfc3b-53e5-48a5-975a-feebd6caaa77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1d47e5a4-7d03-4274-a6d6-8beaf9b35fca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember_a6cb08a0-8e46-48be-80f0-11cd80f7bed6" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember_a6cb08a0-8e46-48be-80f0-11cd80f7bed6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_OmniLogisticsSegmentMember_4073cdb5-583c-478c-afcb-7041bb90fa81" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_OmniLogisticsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_OmniLogisticsSegmentMember_4073cdb5-583c-478c-afcb-7041bb90fa81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember_950aa0fa-bc60-49fc-a4a5-ff67eef1cd64" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_IntermodalSegmentMember_950aa0fa-bc60-49fc-a4a5-ff67eef1cd64" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_019c0975-5084-7580-ae23-95ccb4d13d42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_03f379bb-d466-4886-a6ae-b7167c4215fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_019c0975-5084-7580-ae23-95ccb4d13d42" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_e5bdfc3b-53e5-48a5-975a-feebd6caaa77" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_15e16e58-570d-4d9a-9bf3-7318c4f5858f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_cc9250b4-2c61-43b1-babd-669d37ee85e2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_15e16e58-570d-4d9a-9bf3-7318c4f5858f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_NetworkMember_282a059d-8acf-4a99-8ab1-c4c44287516d" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_NetworkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_15e16e58-570d-4d9a-9bf3-7318c4f5858f" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_NetworkMember_282a059d-8acf-4a99-8ab1-c4c44287516d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_fwrd_TruckloadMember_8ce1d561-428c-4c85-8a0f-ca4d57db7304" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#fwrd_TruckloadMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_15e16e58-570d-4d9a-9bf3-7318c4f5858f" xlink:to="loc_fwrd_TruckloadMember_8ce1d561-428c-4c85-8a0f-ca4d57db7304" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_6f3d87c7-1052-4cb6-b261-db0c5dac7a17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_15e16e58-570d-4d9a-9bf3-7318c4f5858f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductAndServiceOtherMember_6f3d87c7-1052-4cb6-b261-db0c5dac7a17" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_96d72c67-8157-4466-899c-db4f96b2ad89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_96d72c67-8157-4466-899c-db4f96b2ad89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_9486c042-d50e-4ae5-90ce-4bf68d72afaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_9486c042-d50e-4ae5-90ce-4bf68d72afaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_38b1a1e5-890c-4028-b98c-2d0a2bf86cfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_38b1a1e5-890c-4028-b98c-2d0a2bf86cfc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_8e670e2c-bbd8-407e-867d-458cf280cd02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_8e670e2c-bbd8-407e-867d-458cf280cd02" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_b179cd13-e195-46cc-a5a9-288a4e94d786" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_b179cd13-e195-46cc-a5a9-288a4e94d786" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingInsuranceAndClaimsCostsProduction_00d29879-fdd1-447f-8ced-416300e10f17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingInsuranceAndClaimsCostsProduction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingInsuranceAndClaimsCostsProduction_00d29879-fdd1-447f-8ced-416300e10f17" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FuelCosts_5ae89d86-5b2d-464e-9c97-4892888c29f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_FuelCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FuelCosts_5ae89d86-5b2d-464e-9c97-4892888c29f0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_e6587a05-6337-4276-8016-016e2b26416a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_e6587a05-6337-4276-8016-016e2b26416a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_225bba19-27e5-41dc-8d13-2ff76706f076" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationFromSegmentTotalsToConsolidatedAbstract_cfb7e82f-fd53-45b1-b7ba-e86625235ed9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_225bba19-27e5-41dc-8d13-2ff76706f076" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0c40292b-5c00-44eb-be83-bc7e649e2447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_0c40292b-5c00-44eb-be83-bc7e649e2447" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_a7c8bbf2-0bb5-4552-8dd2-73f59bb0c636" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_a7df06d5-5808-45e2-8e14-13bb937411da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_a7df06d5-5808-45e2-8e14-13bb937411da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_a91481ef-5e93-4c9e-af2d-fed5307ec9ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_a91481ef-5e93-4c9e-af2d-fed5307ec9ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_9a2cd496-f3c1-480a-8bc5-daadd203f9cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_9a2cd496-f3c1-480a-8bc5-daadd203f9cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_cc3e1e57-b418-4b6c-903d-15169aba12d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_961025a6-006c-4fd1-988c-dcdc2fc15829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_cc3e1e57-b418-4b6c-903d-15169aba12d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.forwardair.com/role/SegmentReportingRevenuesandLongLivedAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="fwrd-20251231.xsd#SegmentReportingRevenuesandLongLivedAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.forwardair.com/role/SegmentReportingRevenuesandLongLivedAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019c9610-9ccb-7e78-8c20-fc1795fe4037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019c9610-9ccb-7ecc-88be-6f3fbb4d2e41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019c9610-9ccb-7e78-8c20-fc1795fe4037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019c9610-9ccb-7ecc-88be-6f3fbb4d2e41" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019c9610-9ccb-7ecc-88be-6f3fbb4d2e41" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-7ce4-9dd1-21fc5d9cf4d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019c9610-9ccb-702e-8bdb-359b6d632f12" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-7ce4-9dd1-21fc5d9cf4d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019c9610-9ccb-71b3-ab3d-4ecd522ce7b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025/country-2025.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-7ce4-9dd1-21fc5d9cf4d8" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019c9610-9ccb-71b3-ab3d-4ecd522ce7b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019c9610-9ccb-79da-8e1f-3f0edb7b8b49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019c9610-9ccb-7ce4-9dd1-21fc5d9cf4d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019c9610-9ccb-79da-8e1f-3f0edb7b8b49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019c9610-9ccb-77ba-82e8-58b02f0b5193" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019c9610-9ccb-7e78-8c20-fc1795fe4037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019c9610-9ccb-77ba-82e8-58b02f0b5193" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets_019c9610-9ccb-79bd-8172-a99d0a46c993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019c9610-9ccb-7e78-8c20-fc1795fe4037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncurrentAssets_019c9610-9ccb-79bd-8172-a99d0a46c993" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
