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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e22b1-d6e7-7061-b940-2dc8ad8d53e1,g:a4487390-9db9-4ac0-8202-7fcb1dcfd27d-->
<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.essex.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79cf-b7ac-40e59b6648c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79cf-b7ac-40e59b6648c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79cf-b7ac-40e59b6648c4" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-71f3-bcac-52ab166c8351" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7e8f-95b7-5ff13f83e6ef" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-71f3-bcac-52ab166c8351" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7079-a724-f92ba0531a24" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-71f3-bcac-52ab166c8351" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7079-a724-f92ba0531a24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e22b1-d9cb-7afb-a17a-44949ef02eb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e22b1-d9cb-7afb-a17a-44949ef02eb3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e22b1-d9cb-7f5a-9df3-a1c3819be9a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e22b1-d9cb-7f5a-9df3-a1c3819be9a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e22b1-d9cb-7ace-8bee-c4159fd3ff25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e22b1-d9cb-7ace-8bee-c4159fd3ff25" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e22b1-d9cb-7dc1-9f97-ee3a11784168" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e22b1-d9cb-7dc1-9f97-ee3a11784168" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-74a5-b8c0-2a7a93f412d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-74a5-b8c0-2a7a93f412d3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e22b1-d9cb-7c37-a232-fbcbd6b6e3be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e22b1-d9cb-7c37-a232-fbcbd6b6e3be" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7979-b1ba-00e2493f111e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7979-b1ba-00e2493f111e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-7c06-9796-e275aff93006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-7c06-9796-e275aff93006" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e22b1-d9cb-764d-82a4-c9a8966d0b70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e22b1-d9cb-764d-82a4-c9a8966d0b70" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e22b1-d9cb-78e9-af89-3f7ff138c591" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e22b1-d9cb-78e9-af89-3f7ff138c591" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e22b1-d9cb-7e33-a0c1-11ac6ea0c07e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e22b1-d9cb-7e33-a0c1-11ac6ea0c07e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7087-9e56-24ce9d715f71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7087-9e56-24ce9d715f71" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7d8b-9fa8-79200b9e8533" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e22b1-d9cb-7d8b-9fa8-79200b9e8533" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-7d4b-a54f-de48d5eb84dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e22b1-d9cb-7d4b-a54f-de48d5eb84dd" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e22b1-d9cb-759c-b503-217552abb401" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e22b1-d9cb-759c-b503-217552abb401" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e22b1-d9cb-73d3-b753-72f16fe635e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e22b1-d9cb-73d3-b753-72f16fe635e6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-9ab2-71455ba35fed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-9ab2-71455ba35fed" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3b-bc6f-e1b0033f0ff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3b-bc6f-e1b0033f0ff8" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7bed-9b23-cb2b2ed2da2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7bed-9b23-cb2b2ed2da2f" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e22b1-d9cb-7a8e-8c60-164efc33d3ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e22b1-d9cb-7a8e-8c60-164efc33d3ed" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e22b1-d9cb-744a-a78e-9beeffab0fdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e22b1-d9cb-744a-a78e-9beeffab0fdd" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-7c78-934d-d29358c35997" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-7c78-934d-d29358c35997" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-7f1f-9f4c-407f094a920d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-7f1f-9f4c-407f094a920d" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7acd-a9a4-83dc0a74fb56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7acd-a9a4-83dc0a74fb56" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e22b1-d9cb-76f0-881b-379e15f10f3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e22b1-d9cb-76f0-881b-379e15f10f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e22b1-d9cb-7a8d-809e-04de00bc4384" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e22b1-d9cb-7a8d-809e-04de00bc4384" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e22b1-d9cb-7c78-b950-d264fc1df032" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e22b1-d9cb-7c78-b950-d264fc1df032" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e22b1-d9cb-7a59-a711-c967bf4546c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e22b1-d9cb-7a59-a711-c967bf4546c4" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e22b1-d9cb-75e0-993f-e46470ebeab7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd7-a7be-8b7235fac2bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e22b1-d9cb-75e0-993f-e46470ebeab7" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPTCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPTCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPTCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-710e-903e-a782bb544e61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f6-8862-a84d2c88d593" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-710e-903e-a782bb544e61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f6-8862-a84d2c88d593" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f6-8862-a84d2c88d593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0f-ade3-e4d974979b28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7548-a273-dd17f8a08fa3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7548-a273-dd17f8a08fa3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7d6f-a6a4-b51a4ddf98a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7d6f-a6a4-b51a4ddf98a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7910-9f3c-9729f9174c97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7910-9f3c-9729f9174c97" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-758b-8a56-e5037cbdb6a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-758b-8a56-e5037cbdb6a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7558-bc82-20cb5a3fa8f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7641-b705-8b20fc6c19c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7558-bc82-20cb5a3fa8f3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-710e-903e-a782bb544e61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3b-9f66-64802b25e648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3b-9f66-64802b25e648" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-76e5-93f2-dcf987443bde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-76e5-93f2-dcf987443bde" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-731f-9085-378a79727b4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-731f-9085-378a79727b4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7224-85db-727aaffedf3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7224-85db-727aaffedf3f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7bdf-8516-9872f1ff4f1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7bdf-8516-9872f1ff4f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7218-95e0-2001db030625" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7218-95e0-2001db030625" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-732d-b4b8-e34b77898ac6" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-732d-b4b8-e34b77898ac6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7523-80bd-dc4a8b7f7669" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-732d-b4b8-e34b77898ac6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7523-80bd-dc4a8b7f7669" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7fe4-8827-024aa02a260e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-732d-b4b8-e34b77898ac6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7fe4-8827-024aa02a260e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019e4901-18cc-7798-9ff0-b6cdd9e8ea79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-732d-b4b8-e34b77898ac6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019e4901-18cc-7798-9ff0-b6cdd9e8ea79" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7e72-93d4-f545b018409a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7e72-93d4-f545b018409a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_019e22b1-d9cb-745c-b8ef-7e3976c00723" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_019e22b1-d9cb-745c-b8ef-7e3976c00723" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-7552-aa86-30d146db90e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-7552-aa86-30d146db90e7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7be5-9917-7f8bb85cc138" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7be5-9917-7f8bb85cc138" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7ca3-8fc3-3014d80a1988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7ca3-8fc3-3014d80a1988" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_019f5a50-d26e-7309-9027-8643b97601c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromBusinessCombination_019f5a50-d26e-7309-9027-8643b97601c6" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e22b1-d9cb-7557-8888-37e8a51bddf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e22b1-d9cb-7557-8888-37e8a51bddf8" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7d31-89fb-3e0808868d18" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7d31-89fb-3e0808868d18" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019e22b1-d9cb-7957-ad87-39e675517663" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019e22b1-d9cb-7957-ad87-39e675517663" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019e22b1-d9cb-74cd-8690-09e5947dedcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-7931-ad86-b6a5993fdb21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_019e22b1-d9cb-74cd-8690-09e5947dedcb" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e22b1-d9cb-7c1a-aea9-6dc917c96d4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7e5d-b869-c0164af11dc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7eda-b511-f006923b1b81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-ae37-dea839fdd838" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7eda-b511-f006923b1b81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-ae37-dea839fdd838" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-ae37-dea839fdd838" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d63-be2d-51b4a4fbf578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7dec-9585-3ea225c6465b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d63-be2d-51b4a4fbf578" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7b52-a3f2-b54469d6eb32" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d63-be2d-51b4a4fbf578" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7b52-a3f2-b54469d6eb32" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-ae37-dea839fdd838" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-751d-aadd-52209e3aef9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7505-93f4-4644860e0aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-751d-aadd-52209e3aef9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CommonEquityMember_019e22b1-d9cb-75d6-af04-e518800736bf" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CommonEquityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-751d-aadd-52209e3aef9b" xlink:to="loc_ess_CommonEquityMember_019e22b1-d9cb-75d6-af04-e518800736bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-ae37-dea839fdd838" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7250-add7-6a38cba606b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7aef-b839-ddcd5fdef39f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7250-add7-6a38cba606b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-717d-ab6a-2d39717f37e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7250-add7-6a38cba606b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-717d-ab6a-2d39717f37e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf3-b04e-6dfb304ef1f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7250-add7-6a38cba606b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf3-b04e-6dfb304ef1f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7eda-b511-f006923b1b81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovements_019e22b1-d9cb-7b6d-beed-09e3c76e7ca4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovements_019e22b1-d9cb-7b6d-beed-09e3c76e7ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements_019e22b1-d9cb-7895-9136-6659129d5277" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements_019e22b1-d9cb-7895-9136-6659129d5277" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7e25-93d7-e44e2cc28fe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7e25-93d7-e44e2cc28fe4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3a-9085-7e3f82bcf786" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3a-9085-7e3f82bcf786" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1e-8396-715b0b3d9f6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCostAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7afe-a3ca-572112351658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1e-8396-715b0b3d9f6f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-d9cb-78c2-b4e2-387e6aa9d403" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-d9cb-78c2-b4e2-387e6aa9d403" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cb-7254-a44d-3a18c5aadd1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cb-7254-a44d-3a18c5aadd1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_TotalRealEstateNet_019e22b1-d9cb-700b-861c-0485bd4766e6" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_TotalRealEstateNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e3f-8597-72a595487513" xlink:to="loc_ess_TotalRealEstateNet_019e22b1-d9cb-700b-861c-0485bd4766e6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7bc1-9ae8-183c253ca573" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7bc1-9ae8-183c253ca573" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e22b1-d9cb-72e6-88bc-0945c6476319" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e22b1-d9cb-72e6-88bc-0945c6476319" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7c67-87c6-c95d6cabd3b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7c67-87c6-c95d6cabd3b5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-d9cb-72a0-a39e-d16db8a11258" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-d9cb-72a0-a39e-d16db8a11258" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e22b1-d9cb-746f-b795-cf539327ed66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e22b1-d9cb-746f-b795-cf539327ed66" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7eba-9d62-45cd638e4534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7eba-9d62-45cd638e4534" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-d9cb-7ec3-879d-7304ef2f74d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-705c-a589-5a30fa5907c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-d9cb-7ec3-879d-7304ef2f74d8" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7eda-b511-f006923b1b81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7f15-80fb-5ecdfab19319" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7f15-80fb-5ecdfab19319" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-759f-a641-c36e9a351b9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-759f-a641-c36e9a351b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_LinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-73c4-a0da-07bfc1c86d67" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_LinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_ess_LinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-73c4-a0da-07bfc1c86d67" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-700f-a69a-4a9f4c4046d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-700f-a69a-4a9f4c4046d5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1b-95c7-356800c32f69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1b-95c7-356800c32f69" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7d75-ae80-db197e9f0255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-7d75-ae80-db197e9f0255" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cb-7226-a492-d12b1daf80cc" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cb-7226-a492-d12b1daf80cc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf4-b9e1-42bb396657c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf4-b9e1-42bb396657c9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7413-99e1-58838768046c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7413-99e1-58838768046c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-74fd-b82f-73095eeec856" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-74fd-b82f-73095eeec856" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019e22b1-d9cb-7378-8d45-f7157d887fc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019e22b1-d9cb-7378-8d45-f7157d887fc9" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-78b3-9d44-340d42c3dbe2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-78b3-9d44-340d42c3dbe2" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7290-90d8-99fb94460026" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7290-90d8-99fb94460026" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount_019e22b1-d9cb-7d10-a1a6-29e67d65ca9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7290-90d8-99fb94460026" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount_019e22b1-d9cb-7d10-a1a6-29e67d65ca9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-79d6-bede-abaf2e024d69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-79d6-bede-abaf2e024d69" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount_019e22b1-d9cb-78df-a5b1-8b577a9e51b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-79d6-bede-abaf2e024d69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount_019e22b1-d9cb-78df-a5b1-8b577a9e51b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7747-acf0-a7319bf68867" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7747-acf0-a7319bf68867" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_019e22b1-d9cb-70ef-b0a3-0958ba08f2f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_019e22b1-d9cb-70ef-b0a3-0958ba08f2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7b28-8e8c-d874742aacd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7b28-8e8c-d874742aacd1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7943-a3e6-ab16fa553dc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-723a-8a26-f0608af4023a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7943-a3e6-ab16fa553dc1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e22b1-d9cb-7b04-8906-a2dfd1fec464" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-78a0-af71-b7e78cfa57ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e22b1-d9cb-7b04-8906-a2dfd1fec464" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019f7e74-c2d4-7f5e-8e1d-8da0f4609609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7eda-b511-f006923b1b81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019f7e74-c2d4-7f5e-8e1d-8da0f4609609" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b48-8824-24084114e199" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-be4f-cad5de466f72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b48-8824-24084114e199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-be4f-cad5de466f72" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-be4f-cad5de466f72" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-705d-9307-8b63c712094f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75b5-8abc-084d275a1fb7" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-705d-9307-8b63c712094f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-70e2-83ad-dd4ea1871b35" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-705d-9307-8b63c712094f" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-70e2-83ad-dd4ea1871b35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-be4f-cad5de466f72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a53-b125-c6add5febe58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-75e2-9034-f264899be4fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a53-b125-c6add5febe58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7c21-9d03-b86306d8a2df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a53-b125-c6add5febe58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7c21-9d03-b86306d8a2df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-786d-b5d8-20e831c4a938" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a53-b125-c6add5febe58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-786d-b5d8-20e831c4a938" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cb-7edf-9e4f-11283188a649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b48-8824-24084114e199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cb-7edf-9e4f-11283188a649" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e22b1-d9cb-7365-90e3-26850458e209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b48-8824-24084114e199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e22b1-d9cb-7365-90e3-26850458e209" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-70c6-988c-36b4dde15b73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b48-8824-24084114e199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-70c6-988c-36b4dde15b73" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncomeUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77cf-80d9-1a8987ff5da8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77cf-80d9-1a8987ff5da8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77cf-80d9-1a8987ff5da8" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-789d-8ecc-2b3a3b556869" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7148-96b0-fedc32eb6790" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-789d-8ecc-2b3a3b556869" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7afc-9e53-695fe6fa83a4" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-789d-8ecc-2b3a3b556869" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7afc-9e53-695fe6fa83a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7800-8ebd-ff283f5e0dde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7800-8ebd-ff283f5e0dde" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cb-7757-b9bb-bdc7e99d8956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7800-8ebd-ff283f5e0dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cb-7757-b9bb-bdc7e99d8956" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7752-ae4c-d7431f92b62e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7800-8ebd-ff283f5e0dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7752-ae4c-d7431f92b62e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cb-7d48-8490-00f3f0e785c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7800-8ebd-ff283f5e0dde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cb-7d48-8490-00f3f0e785c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-7b54-bc18-c5fa1e23a06c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-7b54-bc18-c5fa1e23a06c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-75d2-962d-220a3e868dff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTaxExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-75d2-962d-220a3e868dff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses_019e22b1-d9cb-72c7-b658-ea8027b0e750" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses_019e22b1-d9cb-72c7-b658-ea8027b0e750" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e22b1-d9cb-7e89-8687-5140017230d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e22b1-d9cb-7e89-8687-5140017230d8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-75af-89e2-8d62afeb5769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-75af-89e2-8d62afeb5769" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019e22b1-d9cb-7848-826f-d5b41f2d4953" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7116-b74c-87cdafeac301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_019e22b1-d9cb-7848-826f-d5b41f2d4953" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-7f2b-bd7e-fedb6b3b0853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-7f2b-bd7e-fedb6b3b0853" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7c4b-9cc0-efdec646f9f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7c4b-9cc0-efdec646f9f3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-d9cb-7dac-b22b-d02420404894" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-d9cb-7dac-b22b-d02420404894" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative_019e22b1-d9cb-7cc6-b340-f211fc51f2cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative_019e22b1-d9cb-7cc6-b340-f211fc51f2cc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-7dfd-8d88-09c2d7c78f88" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense_019e22b1-d9cb-7dfd-8d88-09c2d7c78f88" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7088-881f-504a5c0ae058" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7088-881f-504a5c0ae058" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_019e22b1-d9cb-7bff-9a00-d650fbb43c96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_019e22b1-d9cb-7bff-9a00-d650fbb43c96" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7115-a53f-3c778526e41e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7115-a53f-3c778526e41e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-7330-9900-640c8e172248" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-7330-9900-640c8e172248" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7404-9d11-7824d6c3e2b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7404-9d11-7824d6c3e2b5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-73ac-a4a2-1e202c966f5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-73ac-a4a2-1e202c966f5e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-73d5-a0d8-34ca7d7f9e27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-73d5-a0d8-34ca7d7f9e27" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7072-822d-1e1899dc5150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7072-822d-1e1899dc5150" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7ce5-8392-bd9d18bc44cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7ce5-8392-bd9d18bc44cc" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7117-887c-7ca182849cff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7117-887c-7ca182849cff" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7462-afc0-38780f7848d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b35-a5e0-2254974d235f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7462-afc0-38780f7848d1" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7ea0-852e-a8b1919b0cf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7462-afc0-38780f7848d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7ea0-852e-a8b1919b0cf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb5-bc2f-3e5211dc4681" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7ea0-852e-a8b1919b0cf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb5-bc2f-3e5211dc4681" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-73c0-b5ad-aa0eeb3b95cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7ea0-852e-a8b1919b0cf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e22b1-d9cb-73c0-b5ad-aa0eeb3b95cd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7736-a0d5-98a0d754bde3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7462-afc0-38780f7848d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7736-a0d5-98a0d754bde3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e22b1-d9cb-7712-9733-96c2b0d213af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7736-a0d5-98a0d754bde3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e22b1-d9cb-7712-9733-96c2b0d213af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7e45-aee2-1d78185ccaa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7736-a0d5-98a0d754bde3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7e45-aee2-1d78185ccaa7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7a78-ab0b-589310e18bba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-762f-b84a-e44d3587272d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7a78-ab0b-589310e18bba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-762f-b84a-e44d3587272d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-762f-b84a-e44d3587272d" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7952-8d3a-8f84d1e6a4f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7768-9bfc-b9cd4c5100fa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7952-8d3a-8f84d1e6a4f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-769f-8ebe-67767d7a0ed4" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7952-8d3a-8f84d1e6a4f9" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-769f-8ebe-67767d7a0ed4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-762f-b84a-e44d3587272d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7ee0-ab95-e8dfa19c0e8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa6-a7be-eeebd68484c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7ee0-ab95-e8dfa19c0e8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CommonEquityMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd9-9cff-6b053949f704" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CommonEquityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7ee0-ab95-e8dfa19c0e8e" xlink:to="loc_ess_CommonEquityMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7cd9-9cff-6b053949f704" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-77ba-a3f8-b3055550e5a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7ee0-ab95-e8dfa19c0e8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-77ba-a3f8-b3055550e5a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e22b1-d9cb-774c-ab19-e6aab5699003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7ee0-ab95-e8dfa19c0e8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019e22b1-d9cb-774c-ab19-e6aab5699003" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-762f-b84a-e44d3587272d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bb8-84f1-0d24966efeaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7500-88bd-2acb3c88d534" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bb8-84f1-0d24966efeaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7837-8b33-dc7c994d2b70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bb8-84f1-0d24966efeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7837-8b33-dc7c994d2b70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79c1-a128-f18c84b549e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bb8-84f1-0d24966efeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79c1-a128-f18c84b549e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7a78-ab0b-589310e18bba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019e22b1-d9cb-7df5-bc1a-dfd993c09062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019e22b1-d9cb-7df5-bc1a-dfd993c09062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-740d-ac4e-63d73f1ca41c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-740d-ac4e-63d73f1ca41c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7276-87e5-3640305dedcb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7276-87e5-3640305dedcb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-aa61-d170bfa318cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-79df-aa61-d170bfa318cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7086-a27a-0c74a459e7d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7086-a27a-0c74a459e7d2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7895-b5bd-14c65b24a8c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7895-b5bd-14c65b24a8c1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7601-a3b9-0bfaeef9a0fd" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7601-a3b9-0bfaeef9a0fd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7b9d-8859-b7c7da582ed5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7601-a3b9-0bfaeef9a0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7b9d-8859-b7c7da582ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-76e4-ae11-5c3d2c54e53f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7601-a3b9-0bfaeef9a0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-76e4-ae11-5c3d2c54e53f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019e49a6-ea99-74ce-8319-725626ab399d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_IssuanceOfCommonStockUnderAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7601-a3b9-0bfaeef9a0fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_019e49a6-ea99-74ce-8319-725626ab399d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PartnersCapitalAccountStockAndUnitBasedCompensationCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-74fd-ada5-1956157faf96" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PartnersCapitalAccountStockAndUnitBasedCompensationCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_ess_PartnersCapitalAccountStockAndUnitBasedCompensationCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-74fd-ada5-1956157faf96" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_019e22b1-d9cb-71cf-8739-1d4fa9bb0203" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesRetired_019e22b1-d9cb-71cf-8739-1d4fa9bb0203" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-771f-ac38-aadaaa0cb639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-771f-ac38-aadaaa0cb639" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7f26-8f0c-50db60010a62" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestChangeInRedemptionShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7f26-8f0c-50db60010a62" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-712c-a172-1451bf385497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestChangeInRedemptionValue_019e22b1-d9cb-712c-a172-1451bf385497" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuanceUnits_019e22b1-d9cb-707d-9860-2eb976daf011" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuanceUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_ess_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuanceUnits_019e22b1-d9cb-707d-9860-2eb976daf011" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_019e22b1-d9cb-75e4-a786-84a91a34c578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_019e22b1-d9cb-75e4-a786-84a91a34c578" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e22b1-d9cb-7be9-88d9-5765f54ae505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019e22b1-d9cb-7be9-88d9-5765f54ae505" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7eb5-8134-02851b4bcf2e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_ess_RedemptionsOfNoncontrollingInterestShares_019e22b1-d9cb-7eb5-8134-02851b4bcf2e" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019e22b1-d9cb-76bc-beca-f9e6ce367f4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_019e22b1-d9cb-76bc-beca-f9e6ce367f4c" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions_019e22b1-d9cb-74f2-872a-60af359e056e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_019e22b1-d9cb-790a-9d18-0eda75648a36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions_019e22b1-d9cb-74f2-872a-60af359e056e" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019e22b1-d9cb-7c51-b2e2-79d7d18a4aa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7af0-8ab5-9242a2e5d3e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCapitalUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7619-9145-5b6870f2b286" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7646-8b52-abde43ecccb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7619-9145-5b6870f2b286" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7646-8b52-abde43ecccb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7646-8b52-abde43ecccb2" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d5b-a5c4-e69ed31c561c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7241-bb35-5467e2796062" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d5b-a5c4-e69ed31c561c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7118-b94d-acfbf9439bf1" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d5b-a5c4-e69ed31c561c" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7118-b94d-acfbf9439bf1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a3d3-f12849c5e2ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7619-9145-5b6870f2b286" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a3d3-f12849c5e2ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-760f-9658-684a77facb0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-760f-9658-684a77facb0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-760f-9658-684a77facb0b" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fc2-be3f-6372b42462f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7b63-b666-4865e01bdf4a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fc2-be3f-6372b42462f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-78cb-8f0a-c89c6b775662" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fc2-be3f-6372b42462f7" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-78cb-8f0a-c89c6b775662" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7cf1-b383-bc417ab51408" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7cf1-b383-bc417ab51408" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7f06-9b0f-f4a4503d6df7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7cf1-b383-bc417ab51408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-7f06-9b0f-f4a4503d6df7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7cf1-b383-bc417ab51408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e22b1-d9cb-7f3e-802b-0509786fa14d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StraightLineRent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e22b1-d9cb-7f3e-802b-0509786fa14d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e22b1-d9cb-7bff-9a5f-fc925abcdd0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e22b1-d9cb-7bff-9a5f-fc925abcdd0e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e22b1-d9cb-7795-a1eb-24ff2a871485" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e22b1-d9cb-7795-a1eb-24ff2a871485" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_019e22b1-d9cb-7587-be44-65964fabefe8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_019e22b1-d9cb-7587-be44-65964fabefe8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_019e22b1-d9cb-7371-9444-89efd2207517" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_019e22b1-d9cb-7371-9444-89efd2207517" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_019f6eb1-2eb9-72bb-9c1b-4188ad95b8d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_019f6eb1-2eb9-72bb-9c1b-4188ad95b8d7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_GainLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7013-9649-bba57417e4e1" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_GainLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_ess_GainLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7013-9649-bba57417e4e1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1f-94f1-317b492251e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_019e22b1-d9cb-7e1f-94f1-317b492251e2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables_019e22b1-d9cb-7888-ba3e-dd8cf00e09df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherReceivables_019e22b1-d9cb-7888-ba3e-dd8cf00e09df" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CompanysShareOfGainOnSalesOfRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-7381-bbe7-edcd1a06f3cd" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CompanysShareOfGainOnSalesOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_ess_CompanysShareOfGainOnSalesOfRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-7381-bbe7-edcd1a06f3cd" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-720f-a4de-222940cb2463" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-720f-a4de-222940cb2463" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7023-a512-314ea476321c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-7023-a512-314ea476321c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-704c-bf2e-7f0b3526c299" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-704c-bf2e-7f0b3526c299" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-8508-3d4b69b616e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7c73-92a5-d06eb64eabb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-8508-3d4b69b616e7" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7ae4-924d-58575c9d3156" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-8508-3d4b69b616e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7ae4-924d-58575c9d3156" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7617-9a7a-057982bccb49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-8508-3d4b69b616e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7617-9a7a-057982bccb49" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7b49-8b85-b32301c97948" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-8508-3d4b69b616e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cb-7b49-8b85-b32301c97948" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7b69-b4b9-baedf4912a97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7cf1-b383-bc417ab51408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7b69-b4b9-baedf4912a97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-71a0-b524-95871f5e6687" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstate_019e22b1-d9cb-71a0-b524-95871f5e6687" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RedevelopmentExpenditures_019e22b1-d9cb-7012-aedf-3b7f04a47689" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RedevelopmentExpenditures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:to="loc_ess_RedevelopmentExpenditures_019e22b1-d9cb-7012-aedf-3b7f04a47689" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7247-9814-168ca79cace6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets_019e22b1-d9cb-7247-9814-168ca79cace6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RevenueGeneratingCapitalExpenditures_019e22b1-d9cb-7e25-a950-3eb8d93bbd19" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RevenueGeneratingCapitalExpenditures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAndDevelopRealEstateAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7dda-b763-eb6fde32285e" xlink:to="loc_ess_RevenueGeneratingCapitalExpenditures_019e22b1-d9cb-7e25-a950-3eb8d93bbd19" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable_019e22b1-d9cb-77aa-8d8a-3015f4281996" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireNotesReceivable_019e22b1-d9cb-77aa-8d8a-3015f4281996" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfReceivables_019e22b1-d9cb-7bda-92d3-6ead1f021f47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfReceivables_019e22b1-d9cb-7bda-92d3-6ead1f021f47" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7174-a9e6-5b43456abcf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7174-a9e6-5b43456abcf6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-745f-91c1-07d801eae4aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e22b1-d9cb-745f-91c1-07d801eae4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7640-9fdc-9054a2f17a06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-7640-9fdc-9054a2f17a06" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableDeposits_019e22b1-d9cb-7491-8636-817fb6e13536" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableDeposits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_ess_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableDeposits_019e22b1-d9cb-7491-8636-817fb6e13536" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-7d25-aa27-f0a4703d7705" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-7d25-aa27-f0a4703d7705" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PaymentsForProceedsFromSalesAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-72b7-af84-ee2bd32ac3bf" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PaymentsForProceedsFromSalesAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_ess_PaymentsForProceedsFromSalesAndMaturitiesOfMarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-72b7-af84-ee2bd32ac3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital_019e22b1-d9cb-7a4f-8308-828091e8e904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromEquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributionsReturnOfCapital_019e22b1-d9cb-7a4f-8308-828091e8e904" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7916-9c59-a7d9b20f74e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7e28-a2b9-2b9ac1225aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-7916-9c59-a7d9b20f74e9" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-76a7-bc81-5df8123d9f90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-76a7-bc81-5df8123d9f90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-75cc-ad7b-5ca11d7fd039" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_019e22b1-d9cb-75cc-ad7b-5ca11d7fd039" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ProceedsFromLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-788f-bcef-731fa1bf6290" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ProceedsFromLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_ess_ProceedsFromLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-788f-bcef-731fa1bf6290" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-70c5-88de-bdaebe9f548b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_ess_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCreditAndCommercialPaper_019e22b1-d9cb-70c5-88de-bdaebe9f548b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e22b1-d9cb-7b11-8cd4-65137c8d4af0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e22b1-d9cb-7b11-8cd4-65137c8d4af0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-7e0f-ad9f-03e219242b0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentOfFinancingAndStockIssuanceCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-7e0f-ad9f-03e219242b0c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-7030-92f0-0e869e8f7632" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019e22b1-d9cb-7030-92f0-0e869e8f7632" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_019ef723-1baf-7f31-b2f0-2e709ee52fd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_019ef723-1baf-7f31-b2f0-2e709ee52fd1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised_019e22b1-d9cb-7262-9d5a-970e01a285b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised_019e22b1-d9cb-7262-9d5a-970e01a285b0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7345-88c7-b6e36c31068a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e22b1-d9cb-7345-88c7-b6e36c31068a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates_019e22b1-d9cb-712c-9c3b-5e12ca9653e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDistributionsToAffiliates_019e22b1-d9cb-712c-9c3b-5e12ca9653e5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders_019e22b1-d9cb-7992-bad3-826a91a54c0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders_019e22b1-d9cb-7992-bad3-826a91a54c0b" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends_019e22b1-d9cb-703d-85a5-0221ba869cc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfOrdinaryDividends_019e22b1-d9cb-703d-85a5-0221ba869cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-741d-9f91-df78abca1ffa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-70f1-812f-5b9608cfeb74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e22b1-d9cb-741d-9f91-df78abca1ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-9cc7-bf293e62606b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-9cc7-bf293e62606b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e22b1-d9cb-79c2-a9bf-59dbe95c28ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e22b1-d9cb-79c2-a9bf-59dbe95c28ea" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e22b1-d9cb-7060-ae4e-020905fea5c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7941-aa20-2e32f7a9589f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7941-aa20-2e32f7a9589f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_019e22b1-d9cb-767c-b9cf-edf7e9b5dbba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7941-aa20-2e32f7a9589f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_019e22b1-d9cb-767c-b9cf-edf7e9b5dbba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_019e22b1-d9cb-7876-8928-d5646720e9d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7941-aa20-2e32f7a9589f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_019e22b1-d9cb-7876-8928-d5646720e9d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-70e5-abfe-989e89f3d553" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_IssuanceOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsForContributedProperties_019e22b1-d9cb-7085-b7f4-a072e9eaea08" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_IssuanceOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsForContributedProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:to="loc_ess_IssuanceOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsForContributedProperties_019e22b1-d9cb-7085-b7f4-a072e9eaea08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RedemptionOfPreferredEquityInvestmentsUponAcquisitionOfCoInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-79a4-8321-324360b7c38c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RedemptionOfPreferredEquityInvestmentsUponAcquisitionOfCoInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:to="loc_ess_RedemptionOfPreferredEquityInvestmentsUponAcquisitionOfCoInvestments_019e22b1-d9cb-79a4-8321-324360b7c38c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ReclassificationFromToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7a40-86bc-3a65ca43efeb" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ReclassificationFromToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:to="loc_ess_ReclassificationFromToRedeemableNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7a40-86bc-3a65ca43efeb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_019e22b1-d9cb-70aa-9163-97060ecb357c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7976-885d-88f85be7f597" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_019e22b1-d9cb-70aa-9163-97060ecb357c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/EPLPCondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa7-a5c2-c09c0eaff3ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-74e9-9e7b-ea2128141d47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa7-a5c2-c09c0eaff3ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-74e9-9e7b-ea2128141d47" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e22b1-d9cb-74e9-9e7b-ea2128141d47" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7eaa-90ba-385a9f43e8d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7058-9c3a-cbac6a0cefef" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7eaa-90ba-385a9f43e8d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7662-b940-2fc12b4c3f3e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7eaa-90ba-385a9f43e8d1" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-7662-b940-2fc12b4c3f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidCapitalized_019e22b1-d9cb-74ef-a091-c173044c1f3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidCapitalized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7fa7-a5c2-c09c0eaff3ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidCapitalized_019e22b1-d9cb-74ef-a091-c173044c1f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitTables" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NetIncomePerShareAndNetIncomePerUnitLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7da7-a93e-dbe30a47e38f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NetIncomePerShareAndNetIncomePerUnitLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NetIncomePerCommonShareAndNetIncomePerUnitTable_019e22b1-da86-7aec-a9ba-6a214adc64a5" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NetIncomePerCommonShareAndNetIncomePerUnitTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ess_NetIncomePerShareAndNetIncomePerUnitLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7da7-a93e-dbe30a47e38f" xlink:to="loc_ess_NetIncomePerCommonShareAndNetIncomePerUnitTable_019e22b1-da86-7aec-a9ba-6a214adc64a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ess_NetIncomePerCommonShareAndNetIncomePerUnitTable_019e22b1-da86-7aec-a9ba-6a214adc64a5" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7385-a9de-5c25fe7a68fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7219-93fa-83c7abc2d249" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7385-a9de-5c25fe7a68fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-7787-b7c0-d608c9a592a2" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7385-a9de-5c25fe7a68fd" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-7787-b7c0-d608c9a592a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock_019e22b1-da86-7813-9c71-22fc499adc2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_NetIncomePerShareAndNetIncomePerUnitLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7da7-a93e-dbe30a47e38f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock_019e22b1-da86-7813-9c71-22fc499adc2d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#OrganizationandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-761e-827e-d698e7b8d19e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-761e-827e-d698e7b8d19e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-761e-827e-d698e7b8d19e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a3d-a902-786e3621e0b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7351-91d7-93cd4a7403c6" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a3d-a902-786e3621e0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OperatingPartnershipMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7a51-88c0-6702dec3a01b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OperatingPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7a3d-a902-786e3621e0b2" xlink:to="loc_ess_OperatingPartnershipMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7a51-88c0-6702dec3a01b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-761e-827e-d698e7b8d19e" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-773c-80da-1c440c154f83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-763a-b1fd-606eee9f786a" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-773c-80da-1c440c154f83" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-739c-a4eb-d2973c8a2be5" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-773c-80da-1c440c154f83" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-739c-a4eb-d2973c8a2be5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019e22b1-d9cb-761e-827e-d698e7b8d19e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-9745-0503d51c7318" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-766d-bdac-2f9885a48dd6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-9745-0503d51c7318" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e22b1-d9cb-76bf-98a8-576d9f36c539" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-9745-0503d51c7318" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e22b1-d9cb-76bf-98a8-576d9f36c539" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7122-86fc-ab21e11f913c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7652-9745-0503d51c7318" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7122-86fc-ab21e11f913c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7c42-8f4c-89e0f9ee2e4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedLiabilityCompanyLLCOrLimitedPartnershipLPManagingMemberOrGeneralPartnerOwnershipInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7c42-8f4c-89e0f9ee2e4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7e66-96fc-e0f8cb60a44d" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_OperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7e66-96fc-e0f8cb60a44d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RedemptionValueOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7886-9344-1c1cc70aff41" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RedemptionValueOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_RedemptionValueOfOperatingPartnershipUnitsOutstanding_019e22b1-d9cb-7886-9344-1c1cc70aff41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-d9cb-78c1-8b11-84fa27cb1c5e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-d9cb-78c1-8b11-84fa27cb1c5e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_AggregateApartmentUnitsOwned_019e22b1-d9cb-71d5-b493-d80aa8893d27" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_AggregateApartmentUnitsOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_AggregateApartmentUnitsOwned_019e22b1-d9cb-71d5-b493-d80aa8893d27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfCommercialBuildings_019e22b1-d9cb-7eff-9026-8d630e0e064b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfCommercialBuildings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfCommercialBuildings_019e22b1-d9cb-7eff-9026-8d630e0e064b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfDevelopmentPipelineProjects_019e22b1-d9cb-709e-82cc-d813ce9e072e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfDevelopmentPipelineProjects"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_OwnershipInterestsNumberOfDevelopmentPipelineProjects_019e22b1-d9cb-709e-82cc-d813ce9e072e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ApartmentLeaseTerm_019e22b1-d9cb-75dd-96c1-85aea5565c13" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ApartmentLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_ApartmentLeaseTerm_019e22b1-d9cb-75dd-96c1-85aea5565c13" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb0-acab-35933b2dd529" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNi_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb0-acab-35933b2dd529" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfDownreitLimitedPartnershipsConsolidatedByCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-74d7-ab88-0cd412d9330a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfDownreitLimitedPartnershipsConsolidatedByCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfDownreitLimitedPartnershipsConsolidatedByCompany_019e22b1-d9cb-74d7-ab88-0cd412d9330a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfCommunitiesWithinDownreitPartnerships_019e22b1-d9cb-767b-a87e-5c3347319ff0" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfCommunitiesWithinDownreitPartnerships"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfCommunitiesWithinDownreitPartnerships_019e22b1-d9cb-767b-a87e-5c3347319ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfConsolidatedCoinvestmentsDeterminedToBeVariableInterestEntities_019e22b1-d9cb-72c9-9512-0d3e7cc8e710" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfConsolidatedCoinvestmentsDeterminedToBeVariableInterestEntities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfConsolidatedCoinvestmentsDeterminedToBeVariableInterestEntities_019e22b1-d9cb-72c9-9512-0d3e7cc8e710" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_AssetsRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetIntercompanyEliminations_019e22b1-d9cb-71cf-8419-4ef381efd762" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_AssetsRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetIntercompanyEliminations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_AssetsRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetIntercompanyEliminations_019e22b1-d9cb-71cf-8419-4ef381efd762" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_LiabilitiesRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetOfIntercompanyEliminations_019e22b1-d9cb-7493-8634-c34403db082a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_LiabilitiesRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetOfIntercompanyEliminations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_LiabilitiesRelatedToVariableInterestEntitiesNetOfIntercompanyEliminations_019e22b1-d9cb-7493-8634-c34403db082a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_019e22b1-d9cb-793c-94d8-ecba9b0e0d8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInVariableInterestEntity_019e22b1-d9cb-793c-94d8-ecba9b0e0d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FixedRateDebtCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-729d-9365-48a58b669c9a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FixedRateDebtCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_FixedRateDebtCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-729d-9365-48a58b669c9a" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FixedRateDebtFairValue_019e22b1-d9cb-727c-8a17-6b3079d2be4c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FixedRateDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_FixedRateDebtFairValue_019e22b1-d9cb-727c-8a17-6b3079d2be4c" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_VariableRateDebtCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-78e3-b877-9bca51acc6e3" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_VariableRateDebtCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_VariableRateDebtCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-78e3-b877-9bca51acc6e3" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_VariableRateDebtFairValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7e9c-9ea3-82772cd15b09" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_VariableRateDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_VariableRateDebtFairValue_019e22b1-d9cb-7e9c-9ea3-82772cd15b09" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CapitalizedInternalCostsRelatedToDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentProjects_019e22b1-d9cb-7135-9bab-d82b58f0124c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CapitalizedInternalCostsRelatedToDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentProjects"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_ess_CapitalizedInternalCostsRelatedToDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentProjects_019e22b1-d9cb-7135-9bab-d82b58f0124c" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-916d-1f5de2c262da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7767-a995-93f4c7b7a733" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_019e22b1-d9cb-76e9-916d-1f5de2c262da" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofComponentsofMarketableSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofComponentsofMarketableSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofComponentsofMarketableSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7af7-8e32-98dec37fd505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7af7-8e32-98dec37fd505" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7af7-8e32-98dec37fd505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb6-b9d2-f112de570c86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-70dd-becc-8374f2cbb951" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb6-b9d2-f112de570c86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7cb6-b9d2-f112de570c86" xlink:to="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7567-b4cb-f01b0233ddfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7567-b4cb-f01b0233ddfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CommonStockPreferredStockAndStockFundsMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7928-af43-b4e13d382b64" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CommonStockPreferredStockAndStockFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_ess_CommonStockPreferredStockAndStockFundsMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7928-af43-b4e13d382b64" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_USTreasuryAndAgencySecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79dd-b9f6-a7fc19b2d87a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_USTreasuryAndAgencySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_ess_USTreasuryAndAgencySecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79dd-b9f6-a7fc19b2d87a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_019e22b1-d9cb-715e-a8d8-b0cabbc68770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CertificatesOfDepositMember_019e22b1-d9cb-715e-a8d8-b0cabbc68770" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79cc-b001-0d26f34ab8c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-79cc-b001-0d26f34ab8c2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MunicipalDebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-787d-a444-49be389f17cb" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MunicipalDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7f08-b5e9-7b5516557124" xlink:to="loc_ess_MunicipalDebtSecuritiesMember_019e22b1-d9cb-787d-a444-49be389f17cb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7656-9f99-2ffca1df4ed8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7656-9f99-2ffca1df4ed8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7731-89bc-94761a8fb931" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7656-9f99-2ffca1df4ed8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7731-89bc-94761a8fb931" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-78c2-a14a-f74d9348d088" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7656-9f99-2ffca1df4ed8" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquitySecuritiesFVNIAccumulatedUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-78c2-a14a-f74d9348d088" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-760b-a3f0-2807f98fe29e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesGainLossAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7656-9f99-2ffca1df4ed8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-d9cb-760b-a3f0-2807f98fe29e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a105-c9652c5da991" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a105-c9652c5da991" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAmortizedCostExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-78f5-bb18-0c49703a7f72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAmortizedCostExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a105-c9652c5da991" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAmortizedCostExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_019e22b1-d9cb-78f5-bb18-0c49703a7f72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7f7c-9d37-5b240b9d7897" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a105-c9652c5da991" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7f7c-9d37-5b240b9d7897" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7ebd-88e1-6b494630e91b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7047-a105-c9652c5da991" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleExcludingAccruedInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7ebd-88e1-6b494630e91b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7059-95fb-5c105b2c6590" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MarketableSecuritiesAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesAmortizedCost_019e22b1-d9cb-7059-95fb-5c105b2c6590" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-77fc-8341-285b22c56649" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MarketableSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_ess_MarketableSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_019e22b1-d9cb-77fc-8341-285b22c56649" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-7f3a-bee4-1a4ab9310ba1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketableSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7b0b-b9ee-dfb8b2b37141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketableSecurities_019e22b1-d9cb-7f3a-bee4-1a4ab9310ba1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofChangesinAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetbyComponentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofChangesinAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetbyComponentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/OrganizationandBasisofPresentationScheduleofChangesinAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeNetbyComponentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7087-8232-9f4bd390e5bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f5-b2ca-693971e61fd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7087-8232-9f4bd390e5bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f5-b2ca-693971e61fd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f5-b2ca-693971e61fd2" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-710b-a041-2e0ca3ca9ab7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-74c6-ab35-751aa0ac0ffe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-710b-a041-2e0ca3ca9ab7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-79c9-8358-25a96e385eeb" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-710b-a041-2e0ca3ca9ab7" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-d9cb-79c9-8358-25a96e385eeb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019e22b1-d9cb-77f5-b2ca-693971e61fd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf6-afa0-9a9903f2d156" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8aed-c0bf909ac5e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf6-afa0-9a9903f2d156" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fa3e0-21e4-7448-aae6-2e4b3c183b86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7bf6-afa0-9a9903f2d156" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fa3e0-21e4-7448-aae6-2e4b3c183b86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019fa3df-ae3a-775b-9a9f-e8fcb1646c19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fa3e0-21e4-7448-aae6-2e4b3c183b86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019fa3df-ae3a-775b-9a9f-e8fcb1646c19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_019fa3df-e4dc-7bb4-8445-02d6da9c142e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fa3e0-21e4-7448-aae6-2e4b3c183b86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_019fa3df-e4dc-7bb4-8445-02d6da9c142e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7087-8232-9f4bd390e5bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8189-a26ec6c0e308" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-77e6-8189-a26ec6c0e308" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-753e-90aa-ac0062bf7d6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-753e-90aa-ac0062bf7d6a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-75e9-b9d1-016bb59dda66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-75e9-b9d1-016bb59dda66" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7ba9-8300-0dc863934350" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_019e22b1-d9cb-7460-8423-c86712ef2ba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e22b1-d9cb-7ba9-8300-0dc863934350" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cb-7b29-b9d6-feebecc33900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/SignificantTransactionsDuringtheSixMonthsEndedJune302026andSubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#SignificantTransactionsDuringtheSixMonthsEndedJune302026andSubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/SignificantTransactionsDuringtheSixMonthsEndedJune302026andSubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-797f-aa02-97805a5b7766" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-717c-9251-eac56ec104ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-797f-aa02-97805a5b7766" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanPropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember_019ef735-aef7-7979-91e6-cb66bd2b57cf" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanPropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-797f-aa02-97805a5b7766" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanPropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember_019ef735-aef7-7979-91e6-cb66bd2b57cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7e13-9374-3567dd4dbcf0" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-797f-aa02-97805a5b7766" xlink:to="loc_ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember_019e22b1-d9cb-7e13-9374-3567dd4dbcf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fcd-81da-8e7e99214715" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7d3f-bc4d-421245799036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fcd-81da-8e7e99214715" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cb-725e-9b47-8464e94d7c7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7fcd-81da-8e7e99214715" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cb-725e-9b47-8464e94d7c7d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7283-9694-f10f96a66fe6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef737-35f7-7966-9890-8be651bf264b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7283-9694-f10f96a66fe6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentPropertyInCaliforniaMember_019f4ae4-3207-71ec-ae9d-45fb5dffd162" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentPropertyInCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7283-9694-f10f96a66fe6" xlink:to="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentPropertyInCaliforniaMember_019f4ae4-3207-71ec-ae9d-45fb5dffd162" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_WescoVIILLCMember_019f4b16-c007-7f18-8bbf-01efe2f3155b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_WescoVIILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef737-35f7-7283-9694-f10f96a66fe6" xlink:to="loc_ess_WescoVIILLCMember_019f4b16-c007-7f18-8bbf-01efe2f3155b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-743b-953c-aed03cd34b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cb-7885-896c-ff5af3cfd9a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-743b-953c-aed03cd34b79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_StockRepurchasePlanMember_019e22b1-d9cb-728a-b021-d1b5f7bbce77" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_StockRepurchasePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cb-743b-953c-aed03cd34b79" xlink:to="loc_ess_StockRepurchasePlanMember_019e22b1-d9cb-728a-b021-d1b5f7bbce77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cb-7c97-9775-65acac46d9bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019f5a64-3be1-7e44-aa6a-9492e824687b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019f5a64-3be1-7264-bc35-0c04d85391d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019f5a64-3be1-7e44-aa6a-9492e824687b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019f5a64-5666-7cd8-8fdd-fb64abc79245" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019f5a64-3be1-7e44-aa6a-9492e824687b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019f5a64-5666-7cd8-8fdd-fb64abc79245" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FinancingReceivableCashReceived_019f8a5a-e46b-787f-ad6c-812d30714325" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FinancingReceivableCashReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_FinancingReceivableCashReceived_019f8a5a-e46b-787f-ad6c-812d30714325" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivable_019e22b1-d9cb-7759-9f3b-ef7b9423297f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivable_019e22b1-d9cb-7759-9f3b-ef7b9423297f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate_019e22b1-d9cc-76f6-ad81-d67d9018d99e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate_019e22b1-d9cc-76f6-ad81-d67d9018d99e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived_019f8a5c-0ed2-70a2-b162-5dde868046d7" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived_019f8a5c-0ed2-70a2-b162-5dde868046d7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentEarlyRedemptionFeeReceived_019f4b15-d487-7fc3-aa7d-54a3ae1e434a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityMethodInvestmentEarlyRedemptionFeeReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentEarlyRedemptionFeeReceived_019f4b15-d487-7fc3-aa7d-54a3ae1e434a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitToFundNumberOfInvestments_019f4b15-d487-74c6-916a-f2745e3188ef" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitToFundNumberOfInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitToFundNumberOfInvestments_019f4b15-d487-74c6-916a-f2745e3188ef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e22b1-d9cc-7efa-9f88-f8b45018958c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e22b1-d9cc-7efa-9f88-f8b45018958c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e22b1-d9cc-75b7-9e1d-390e41037a5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e22b1-d9cc-75b7-9e1d-390e41037a5f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e22b1-d9cc-7ea4-a4cc-270160e0f7ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e22b1-d9cc-7ea4-a4cc-270160e0f7ed" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_019e22b1-d9cc-7754-89d2-4220af349fc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_019e22b1-d9cc-7754-89d2-4220af349fc9" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e22b1-d9cc-7d72-8350-cafb6f1178ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e22b1-d9cc-7d72-8350-cafb6f1178ad" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_019f4b16-c007-7a43-aaab-eccd4d34fee6" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_019f4b16-c007-7a43-aaab-eccd4d34fee6" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredEquityInvestment_019f4b16-c007-75a8-9f0b-3fb18f89b2ee" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_JointVenturePreferredEquityInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredEquityInvestment_019f4b16-c007-75a8-9f0b-3fb18f89b2ee" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019f5a5d-e0e5-7520-b807-e519f300400d" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019f5a5d-e0e5-7520-b807-e519f300400d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate_019f4b16-c007-78bb-acd8-6ff93e011cba" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cb-7746-8bde-9a5150e0f092" xlink:to="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate_019f4b16-c007-78bb-acd8-6ff93e011cba" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#RevenuesScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d02-abb7-51184895bc97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7b2a-a82a-e3b83a884062" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d02-abb7-51184895bc97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RentalMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7901-875b-036193133588" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RentalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d02-abb7-51184895bc97" xlink:to="loc_ess_RentalMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7901-875b-036193133588" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OtherPropertyLeasingRevenueMember_019e22b1-d9cc-79df-bf20-f5870711fc4e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OtherPropertyLeasingRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d02-abb7-51184895bc97" xlink:to="loc_ess_OtherPropertyLeasingRevenueMember_019e22b1-d9cc-79df-bf20-f5870711fc4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RentalAndOtherPropertyRevenuesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7c98-848d-28c875e37c06" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RentalAndOtherPropertyRevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d02-abb7-51184895bc97" xlink:to="loc_ess_RentalAndOtherPropertyRevenuesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7c98-848d-28c875e37c06" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d5e-af15-00fd0fd16f3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cd2-8c8e-79e8650e0124" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d5e-af15-00fd0fd16f3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73c8-86d8-6e2c1b5f3ea8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d5e-af15-00fd0fd16f3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73c8-86d8-6e2c1b5f3ea8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-d9cc-72b4-8dee-f4974cf4e0ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d5e-af15-00fd0fd16f3c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-d9cc-72b4-8dee-f4974cf4e0ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7096-8e8c-9bef82e97e2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7a91-9693-c2c8ac82ddd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7096-8e8c-9bef82e97e2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7bbf-8e23-ee84a5a45594" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7096-8e8c-9bef82e97e2f" xlink:to="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7bbf-8e23-ee84a5a45594" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7fae-b6b2-c5d31327929f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7096-8e8c-9bef82e97e2f" xlink:to="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7fae-b6b2-c5d31327929f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7c0c-a758-35dc5d2fc016" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SeattleMetroMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7096-8e8c-9bef82e97e2f" xlink:to="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7c0c-a758-35dc5d2fc016" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7e8d-80dc-da89f74aaef4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7141-aff0-1028a49c2cd8" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertySamePropertyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7e4a-b911-9b0344962aa0" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RealEstatePropertySamePropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertySamePropertyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7e4a-b911-9b0344962aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertyAcquiredMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7a57-a531-f1937918c406" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RealEstatePropertyAcquiredMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertyAcquiredMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7a57-a531-f1937918c406" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertyNonResidentialOtherNetMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7278-add7-6304aa5a72d3" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RealEstatePropertyNonResidentialOtherNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_RealEstatePropertyNonResidentialOtherNetMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7278-add7-6304aa5a72d3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_StraightLineRentConcessionMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7af3-b4a1-c51b8e032752" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_StraightLineRentConcessionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7119-96d5-a4fd60f8a1ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_StraightLineRentConcessionMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7af3-b4a1-c51b8e032752" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cc-7f1c-a318-a9a7ea0079f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cc-7f1c-a318-a9a7ea0079f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-d9cc-73cf-a3a0-362cea517b94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-d9cc-73cf-a3a0-362cea517b94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cc-774f-9868-3be4125788e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cc-774f-9868-3be4125788e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OperatingLeaseChangeInLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cc-7281-9383-66c5743a18c5" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OperatingLeaseChangeInLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_ess_OperatingLeaseChangeInLeaseIncome_019e22b1-d9cc-7281-9383-66c5743a18c5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RealEstateOperationsOccupancyThresholdForClassificationAsStabilized_019e22b1-d9cc-757f-b738-3a36dd28a524" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RealEstateOperationsOccupancyThresholdForClassificationAsStabilized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_ess_RealEstateOperationsOccupancyThresholdForClassificationAsStabilized_019e22b1-d9cc-757f-b738-3a36dd28a524" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf4-a232-37dadee6704a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7a73-a11d-80b605e8a755" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf4-a232-37dadee6704a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#RevenuesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7915-980d-0b8a5edbd14e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7915-980d-0b8a5edbd14e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-78c0-8b39-e24fccabe372" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7915-980d-0b8a5edbd14e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-78c0-8b39-e24fccabe372" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_019e22b1-d9cc-7f75-98d2-69c9207c4a82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_019e22b1-d9cc-7f75-98d2-69c9207c4a82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_019e22b1-d9cc-7f10-b763-bb8d348a41ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_019e22b1-d9cc-7f10-b763-bb8d348a41ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019e22b1-d9cc-7ac4-b1ad-4e32fce0beea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019e22b1-d9cc-7ac4-b1ad-4e32fce0beea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_019e22b1-d9cc-74a2-bf77-2ad00e4a4b0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_019e22b1-d9cc-74a2-bf77-2ad00e4a4b0e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019e22b1-d9cc-7262-be0d-330d8e8cfc49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019e22b1-d9cc-7262-be0d-330d8e8cfc49" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#RevenuesNarrativeDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/RevenuesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7915-980d-0b8a5edbd14e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7915-980d-0b8a5edbd14e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_019e22b1-d9cc-7f75-98d2-69c9207c4a82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_019e22b1-d9cc-7f75-98d2-69c9207c4a82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_019e22b1-d9cc-7f10-b763-bb8d348a41ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_019e22b1-d9cc-7f10-b763-bb8d348a41ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019e22b1-d9cc-7ac4-b1ad-4e32fce0beea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_019e22b1-d9cc-7ac4-b1ad-4e32fce0beea" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_019e22b1-d9cc-74a2-bf77-2ad00e4a4b0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_019e22b1-d9cc-74a2-bf77-2ad00e4a4b0e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019e22b1-d9cc-7262-be0d-330d8e8cfc49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2a-a439-98cb4ee3884a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_019e22b1-d9cc-7262-be0d-330d8e8cfc49" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#CoinvestmentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019ef7f6-cf73-73bf-a293-886180f148d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019ef7f6-cf73-73bf-a293-886180f148d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019ef7f6-cf73-73bf-a293-886180f148d2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-7516-86a7-f4792aa21b4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019ef7f6-cf73-768a-9c28-e9b0dbcbe878" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-7516-86a7-f4792aa21b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_WescoVLLCMember_019f0416-45d7-73f5-8925-83513a073e07" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_WescoVLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-7516-86a7-f4792aa21b4f" xlink:to="loc_ess_WescoVLLCMember_019f0416-45d7-73f5-8925-83513a073e07" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_WescoVMember_019f6f0b-1baf-7a0c-be1e-3bc2e3c5012c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_WescoVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019ef7f6-cf73-7516-86a7-f4792aa21b4f" xlink:to="loc_ess_WescoVMember_019f6f0b-1baf-7a0c-be1e-3bc2e3c5012c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfTechnologyCoInvestments_019e22b1-d9cc-77e7-8d13-7abe12cc3e16" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfTechnologyCoInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfTechnologyCoInvestments_019e22b1-d9cc-77e7-8d13-7abe12cc3e16" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CoInvestmentCommittedCapitalInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7f42-a33b-894b44144edf" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CoInvestmentCommittedCapitalInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_CoInvestmentCommittedCapitalInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7f42-a33b-894b44144edf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CoInvestmentInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7cda-bf60-b0ba89fcb033" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CoInvestmentInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_CoInvestmentInAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7cda-bf60-b0ba89fcb033" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_019f0416-65cf-7fb5-a92d-2f4ef9f64557" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_019f0416-65cf-7fb5-a92d-2f4ef9f64557" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesSold_019f0416-65cf-7941-9976-7b188d97d14f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfApartmentCommunitiesSold_019f0416-65cf-7941-9976-7b188d97d14f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate_019f0416-65cf-71c2-8e72-0e91551eede9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstate_019f0416-65cf-71c2-8e72-0e91551eede9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CoInvestmentsSaleOfPropertyRelatedBridgeLoanAmountToRepaid_019f0414-e7d5-7fad-a9aa-b2d7d15d39c6" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CoInvestmentsSaleOfPropertyRelatedBridgeLoanAmountToRepaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_ess_CoInvestmentsSaleOfPropertyRelatedBridgeLoanAmountToRepaid_019f0414-e7d5-7fad-a9aa-b2d7d15d39c6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019f0416-45d8-73c4-9bb0-73d547518ddc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019ef7f6-cf73-7a6b-acad-abe044544969" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019f0416-45d8-73c4-9bb0-73d547518ddc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsScheduleofCoInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#CoinvestmentsScheduleofCoInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsScheduleofCoInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7734-9021-cf517b31e511" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74f0-adc8-3bb9bca07211" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7734-9021-cf517b31e511" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74f0-adc8-3bb9bca07211" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74f0-adc8-3bb9bca07211" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7aea-bb28-16eb7bafa794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-75a8-af57-8b9c2d644a8b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7aea-bb28-16eb7bafa794" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-749b-827a-c293e94b45e9" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7aea-bb28-16eb7bafa794" xlink:to="loc_ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-749b-827a-c293e94b45e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_WescoIWescoIIIWescoIVWescoVAndWescoVIMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73a5-8ce4-364f6da5ab6e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_WescoIWescoIIIWescoIVWescoVAndWescoVIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-749b-827a-c293e94b45e9" xlink:to="loc_ess_WescoIWescoIIIWescoIVWescoVAndWescoVIMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73a5-8ce4-364f6da5ab6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MembershipInterestInBEXIVAnd500FolsomMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73d0-a4b6-50141904cc3f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MembershipInterestInBEXIVAnd500FolsomMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-749b-827a-c293e94b45e9" xlink:to="loc_ess_MembershipInterestInBEXIVAnd500FolsomMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73d0-a4b6-50141904cc3f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MembershipInterestOtherExpoAndCountryTowersMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7f8c-a681-c2523486ae1c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MembershipInterestOtherExpoAndCountryTowersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_TotalOperatingCoInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-749b-827a-c293e94b45e9" xlink:to="loc_ess_MembershipInterestOtherExpoAndCountryTowersMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7f8c-a681-c2523486ae1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_TotalPreferredInterestInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-734f-8cbe-630b1eec75a7" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_TotalPreferredInterestInvestmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7aea-bb28-16eb7bafa794" xlink:to="loc_ess_TotalPreferredInterestInvestmentsMember_019e22b1-d9cc-734f-8cbe-630b1eec75a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_WescoIWescoIIIAndWescoIVMember_019e22b1-d9cc-788b-88b7-d4bbd58cd28f" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_WescoIWescoIIIAndWescoIVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7aea-bb28-16eb7bafa794" xlink:to="loc_ess_WescoIWescoIIIAndWescoIVMember_019e22b1-d9cc-788b-88b7-d4bbd58cd28f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74f0-adc8-3bb9bca07211" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7357-bf62-890d75b0dcbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7cc1-ba12-4ae4619cd63c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7357-bf62-890d75b0dcbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInMajorityOwnedSubsidiariesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7544-be87-5d23381f908e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInMajorityOwnedSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7357-bf62-890d75b0dcbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInMajorityOwnedSubsidiariesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7544-be87-5d23381f908e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_LimitedPartnershipInterestInPartnershipInvestments_019e22b1-d9cc-7c51-9549-2c41fe705a32" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_LimitedPartnershipInterestInPartnershipInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7734-9021-cf517b31e511" xlink:to="loc_ess_LimitedPartnershipInterestInPartnershipInvestments_019e22b1-d9cc-7c51-9549-2c41fe705a32" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_InvestmentsInDistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7b04-8214-3b7532a82bca" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_InvestmentsInDistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7734-9021-cf517b31e511" xlink:to="loc_ess_InvestmentsInDistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7b04-8214-3b7532a82bca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7e21-9eea-c0c1b1c20760" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7734-9021-cf517b31e511" xlink:to="loc_ess_DistributionsInExcessOfInvestmentsInAndAdvanceToAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-d9cc-7e21-9eea-c0c1b1c20760" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsScheduleofFinancialInformationforCoInvestmentsAccountedForUndertheEquityMethodDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#CoinvestmentsScheduleofFinancialInformationforCoInvestmentsAccountedForUndertheEquityMethodDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/CoinvestmentsScheduleofFinancialInformationforCoInvestmentsAccountedForUndertheEquityMethodDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7bc1-b60c-750614f0dbf2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7672-9b3e-d3394862ff07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7bc1-b60c-750614f0dbf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7672-9b3e-d3394862ff07" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7672-9b3e-d3394862ff07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a7e-9fe3-036b50954c8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7501-a1b9-9b0642c58404" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a7e-9fe3-036b50954c8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-799c-8358-18158e0b5de6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a7e-9fe3-036b50954c8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-799c-8358-18158e0b5de6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7672-9b3e-d3394862ff07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-797b-aeb4-1e101e2ea713" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7d3c-a8c4-60ac04e112b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-797b-aeb4-1e101e2ea713" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7b69-85f8-582ae9da88ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-797b-aeb4-1e101e2ea713" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7b69-85f8-582ae9da88ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7672-9b3e-d3394862ff07" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cfe-915d-82cbe3dc64de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-79ac-b503-d9d93a79d65b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cfe-915d-82cbe3dc64de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_TotalCoInvestmentMember_019e22b1-d9cc-74f6-b8e6-3952bd3c495a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_TotalCoInvestmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7cfe-915d-82cbe3dc64de" xlink:to="loc_ess_TotalCoInvestmentMember_019e22b1-d9cc-74f6-b8e6-3952bd3c495a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7bc1-b60c-750614f0dbf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RentalPropertiesAndRealEstateDevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-d9cc-71db-bc4b-f8a0b9f26848" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RentalPropertiesAndRealEstateDevelopmentInProcess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_ess_RentalPropertiesAndRealEstateDevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-d9cc-71db-bc4b-f8a0b9f26848" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cc-7a27-b4ce-8a1743dcf433" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_019e22b1-d9cc-7a27-b4ce-8a1743dcf433" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-d9cc-74a4-89f2-958398f0f2d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-d9cc-74a4-89f2-958398f0f2d8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e22b1-d9cc-7e2a-a269-f0f7d7c64221" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e22b1-d9cc-7e2a-a269-f0f7d7c64221" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cc-785d-8a49-bf4edb2d90e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_019e22b1-d9cc-785d-8a49-bf4edb2d90e4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cc-70ae-801e-66adf62eab52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e22b1-d9cc-70ae-801e-66adf62eab52" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2c-b57f-3b5253252009" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentFinancialStatementReportedAmountsAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-7c04-bd0f-9472c7118bd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e22b1-d9cc-7d2c-b57f-3b5253252009" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7bc1-b60c-750614f0dbf2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cc-77a1-809c-13cad8e56319" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e22b1-d9cc-77a1-809c-13cad8e56319" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019e22b1-d9cc-7ebf-a158-4d5b3258f78a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019e22b1-d9cc-7ebf-a158-4d5b3258f78a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019e22b1-d9cc-7f0a-a3a2-b52f80e8ac1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019e22b1-d9cc-7f0a-a3a2-b52f80e8ac1f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019f6eee-49ef-73a7-bd9d-969b6baf058a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019f6eee-49ef-73a7-bd9d-969b6baf058a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-d9cc-7c95-a71c-20ab5044a6a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-d9cc-7c95-a71c-20ab5044a6a1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-d9cc-7612-b960-34cfccf45d2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-d9cc-7612-b960-34cfccf45d2a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_019e22b1-d9cc-723c-943c-992fdc815655" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_019e22b1-d9cc-723c-943c-992fdc815655" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cc-7f58-97c7-b2dc5e475c21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-d9cc-7f58-97c7-b2dc5e475c21" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToParent_019e22b1-d9cc-7de6-948e-06916240b263" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAbstract_019e22b1-d9cc-70d0-b12b-c1794e0e2a22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToParent_019e22b1-d9cc-7de6-948e-06916240b263" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofNotesandOtherReceivablesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofNotesandOtherReceivablesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofNotesandOtherReceivablesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74b2-ae54-38549dea4a4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74b2-ae54-38549dea4a4b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_019e22b1-d9cc-74b2-ae54-38549dea4a4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7059-ad31-e826023d3927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SecuredNoteReceivable9.00InterestRateDueOctober2026Member_019e22b1-d9cc-748c-8e88-dc00fab81e50" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SecuredNoteReceivable9.00InterestRateDueOctober2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:to="loc_ess_SecuredNoteReceivable9.00InterestRateDueOctober2026Member_019e22b1-d9cc-748c-8e88-dc00fab81e50" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SecuredNoteReceivable1125InterestRateDueOctober2027Member_019e22b1-d9cc-73fe-94ae-3a68f8301d38" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SecuredNoteReceivable1125InterestRateDueOctober2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:to="loc_ess_SecuredNoteReceivable1125InterestRateDueOctober2027Member_019e22b1-d9cc-73fe-94ae-3a68f8301d38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7041-9c6c-6e9071c178f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7041-9c6c-6e9071c178f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_StraightLineRentReceivableMember_019e22b1-d9cc-77e2-af06-f72b978fce70" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_StraightLineRentReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:to="loc_ess_StraightLineRentReceivableMember_019e22b1-d9cc-77e2-af06-f72b978fce70" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OtherReceivablesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7722-be48-b6a38e5f1404" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OtherReceivablesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7392-a31d-0ea57ca84d29" xlink:to="loc_ess_OtherReceivablesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7722-be48-b6a38e5f1404" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e22b1-d9cc-71c4-b0cd-92414d2cf661" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross_019e22b1-d9cc-71c4-b0cd-92414d2cf661" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cc-7f7d-ae54-531e32bdc24e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cc-7f7d-ae54-531e32bdc24e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-d9cc-7910-bdf7-5d6f49b5f91a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-d9cc-7910-bdf7-5d6f49b5f91a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate_019e22b1-d9cc-7eae-bf63-8e0c184453a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-7e92-9e54-92a979ccf022" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInterestRate_019e22b1-d9cc-7eae-bf63-8e0c184453a4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/NotesandOtherReceivablesScheduleofAllowanceforCreditLossesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-72df-b6ad-a1edc8b3d65c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7609-a143-114544e50484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-72df-b6ad-a1edc8b3d65c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7609-a143-114544e50484" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7609-a143-114544e50484" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a0c-931c-279357da73ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f76-a326-267d3f157a20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a0c-931c-279357da73ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineAndBridgeLoansMember_019e22b1-d9cc-71fb-a7c4-b243815e5fc8" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineAndBridgeLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7a0c-931c-279357da73ef" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineAndBridgeLoansMember_019e22b1-d9cc-71fb-a7c4-b243815e5fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7fcd-8fb7-6403576ad2cc" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineAndBridgeLoansMember_019e22b1-d9cc-71fb-a7c4-b243815e5fc8" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineLoanMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7fcd-8fb7-6403576ad2cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableBridgeLoanMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73d1-bd32-f76cb1123653" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ess_NotesReceivableMezzanineAndBridgeLoansMember_019e22b1-d9cc-71fb-a7c4-b243815e5fc8" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableBridgeLoanMember_019e22b1-d9cc-73d1-bd32-f76cb1123653" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_019e22b1-d9cc-7fb3-93f1-bc1e89601dcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_019e22b1-d9cc-72df-b6ad-a1edc8b3d65c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_019e22b1-d9cc-7fb3-93f1-bc1e89601dcc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cc-71bf-97a0-4b7525cd680e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_019e22b1-d9cc-7fb3-93f1-bc1e89601dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cc-71bf-97a0-4b7525cd680e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_019e22b1-d9cc-7dd9-841b-3d0b62ffd1b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_019e22b1-d9cc-7fb3-93f1-bc1e89601dcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_019e22b1-d9cc-7dd9-841b-3d0b62ffd1b7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_019e22b1-d9cc-7295-955a-eb98d79c1d17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf8-86ae-cdfd5564d05f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7f87-b655-4282c9d517b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf8-86ae-cdfd5564d05f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ManagementAndOtherFeesFromAffiliatesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7b61-be14-26e58a8e4610" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ManagementAndOtherFeesFromAffiliatesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf8-86ae-cdfd5564d05f" xlink:to="loc_ess_ManagementAndOtherFeesFromAffiliatesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7b61-be14-26e58a8e4610" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RevenuesFromDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentFeesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7d48-8a63-1c1ad9ec48c6" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RevenuesFromDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7bf8-86ae-cdfd5564d05f" xlink:to="loc_ess_RevenuesFromDevelopmentAndRedevelopmentFeesMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7d48-8a63-1c1ad9ec48c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75e7-9798-7136571a4a3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e22b1-d9cc-7fa0-aca7-2311a5c16853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75e7-9798-7136571a4a3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7253-a470-f75c5dcb615d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75e7-9798-7136571a4a3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e22b1-d9cc-7253-a470-f75c5dcb615d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_019e22b1-da86-716f-b0fa-0b28addfe4e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e22b1-d9cc-75e7-9798-7136571a4a3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_019e22b1-da86-716f-b0fa-0b28addfe4e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7749-bc22-7aaa6f2ad01e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-73d4-a677-341775241612" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7749-bc22-7aaa6f2ad01e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MarcusAndMillichapCompanyMember_019e22b1-da86-754f-849c-70d67880435c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MarcusAndMillichapCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7749-bc22-7aaa6f2ad01e" xlink:to="loc_ess_MarcusAndMillichapCompanyMember_019e22b1-da86-754f-849c-70d67880435c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-71a6-bf84-7b415679aa9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7bdd-a503-7a9dff2d50f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-71a6-bf84-7b415679aa9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember_019e22b1-da86-7088-a386-7be632a1d549" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-71a6-bf84-7b415679aa9e" xlink:to="loc_ess_RelatedPartyBridgeLoanOnPropertyAcquiredByWescoIMember_019e22b1-da86-7088-a386-7be632a1d549" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-75d1-bc85-74057c17a387" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e22b1-da86-795e-81cb-238052ab0775" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-75d1-bc85-74057c17a387" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_HomeCommunityDevelopmentinBurlingameCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-77a9-8089-8e1d74472d6d" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_HomeCommunityDevelopmentinBurlingameCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-75d1-bc85-74057c17a387" xlink:to="loc_ess_HomeCommunityDevelopmentinBurlingameCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-77a9-8089-8e1d74472d6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityInvestmentJointVenturePropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember_019ef80a-159e-789d-9774-8902a9b68759" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityInvestmentJointVenturePropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-75d1-bc85-74057c17a387" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityInvestmentJointVenturePropertyInNorthernCaliforniaMember_019ef80a-159e-789d-9774-8902a9b68759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ApartmentHomeCommunityInVenturaCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7a1e-9d40-f1da71a67f2c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ApartmentHomeCommunityInVenturaCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-75d1-bc85-74057c17a387" xlink:to="loc_ess_ApartmentHomeCommunityInVenturaCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7a1e-9d40-f1da71a67f2c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019e22b1-d9cc-7355-845f-e352f2064946" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ed8-b577-cb6230c1c032" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e22b1-da86-70aa-980f-e2a847023a51" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ed8-b577-cb6230c1c032" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SouthCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7094-a1e3-3314cf025247" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SouthCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ed8-b577-cb6230c1c032" xlink:to="loc_ess_SouthCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7094-a1e3-3314cf025247" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction_019e22b1-da86-7d76-b1d2-e23f346dba41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction_019e22b1-da86-7d76-b1d2-e23f346dba41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-da86-77f2-ba40-600efcf486a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-da86-77f2-ba40-600efcf486a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivable_019e22b1-da86-7b4c-83e1-079302d74142" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivable_019e22b1-da86-7b4c-83e1-079302d74142" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfMortgageRelatedProperties_019e22b1-da86-7afe-8301-6b3c9d28ade5" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfMortgageRelatedProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfMortgageRelatedProperties_019e22b1-da86-7afe-8301-6b3c9d28ade5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-7cab-94a2-8d046c70ed70" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_NotesReceivableInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-7cab-94a2-8d046c70ed70" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-da86-78ee-9d2b-abb13f6af269" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfCommunitiesOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfCommunitiesOwned_019e22b1-da86-78ee-9d2b-abb13f6af269" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-da86-7b0c-8c33-f69dd457ef93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-da86-7b0c-8c33-f69dd457ef93" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfUnitsAcquired_019e22b1-da86-7641-9451-48d024eb05ba" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfUnitsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfUnitsAcquired_019e22b1-da86-7641-9451-48d024eb05ba" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate_019e22b1-da86-74de-b831-3986c9b99f68" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_JointVenturePreferredReturnsRate_019e22b1-da86-74de-b831-3986c9b99f68" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived_019f8a8b-cb0f-786f-85e9-b305dfb34c50" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentsCashReceived_019f8a8b-cb0f-786f-85e9-b305dfb34c50" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentFundedAmount_019e22b1-da86-78b1-9c41-fd017e4e7be4" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentFundedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentFundedAmount_019e22b1-da86-78b1-9c41-fd017e4e7be4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentCommitmentToFund_019e22b1-da86-7152-a979-75e48ae3a120" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentCommitmentToFund"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_PreferredEquityInvestmentCommitmentToFund_019e22b1-da86-7152-a979-75e48ae3a120" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitmentToFundAmount_019e22b1-da86-710d-8bf9-8c27b6093e16" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitmentToFundAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentCommitmentToFundAmount_019e22b1-da86-710d-8bf9-8c27b6093e16" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentRemainingUnfundedAmount_019e22b1-da86-76b6-90d3-3b54a565deff" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentRemainingUnfundedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019e22b1-da86-747d-8334-69c69dea07ac" xlink:to="loc_ess_EquityMethodInvestmentsPurchaseCommitmentRemainingUnfundedAmount_019e22b1-da86-76b6-90d3-3b54a565deff" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtandLinesofCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#DebtScheduleofDebtandLinesofCreditDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtandLinesofCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ea3-a70c-4daab16cd92d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FixedRateBondMember_019e22b1-da86-7ca2-8bad-806e9cec19b0" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FixedRateBondMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_ess_FixedRateBondMember_019e22b1-da86-7ca2-8bad-806e9cec19b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e22b1-da86-731c-8f87-37531862add6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e22b1-da86-731c-8f87-37531862add6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_019e22b1-da86-75f8-8f0b-1eb5fc314c46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_019e22b1-da86-75f8-8f0b-1eb5fc314c46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_MortgageNotesMember_019e22b1-da86-721e-93f0-b5b12df7a865" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_MortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_ess_MortgageNotesMember_019e22b1-da86-721e-93f0-b5b12df7a865" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FixedRatePublicOfferingBondMember_019e22b1-da86-740e-adb2-b7e02b83f2ac" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FixedRatePublicOfferingBondMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_ess_FixedRatePublicOfferingBondMember_019e22b1-da86-740e-adb2-b7e02b83f2ac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e22b1-da86-7f2b-aab8-c67a27528770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c4-8517-eeb5345dde02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e22b1-da86-7f2b-aab8-c67a27528770" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e22b1-da86-729b-b6f0-0b3bba5d98ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_TermLoanVariableRateMember_019e22b1-da86-7ffd-973f-8e2fa671955e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_TermLoanVariableRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_TermLoanVariableRateMember_019e22b1-da86-7ffd-973f-8e2fa671955e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_FixedRateBondMember_019e22b1-da86-7d4d-b70d-46ff65b70fa8" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_FixedRateBondMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_FixedRateBondMember_019e22b1-da86-7d4d-b70d-46ff65b70fa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueMay2028Member_019e22b1-da86-74c1-a702-ba8c4df9f8b5" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueMay2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueMay2028Member_019e22b1-da86-74c1-a702-ba8c4df9f8b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueJanuary2031Member_019e22b1-da86-756e-8f9e-61f95dfd7dec" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueJanuary2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_UnsecuredTermLoan0.850DueJanuary2031Member_019e22b1-da86-756e-8f9e-61f95dfd7dec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NewCreditFacilityMember_019e22b1-da86-750d-9484-ddbf83856748" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NewCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_NewCreditFacilityMember_019e22b1-da86-750d-9484-ddbf83856748" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember_019e22b1-da86-78d9-8e9c-0d5b612651fd" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember_019e22b1-da86-78d9-8e9c-0d5b612651fd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CommericalPaperProgramMember_019e22b1-da86-770b-8111-48f27535389c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CommericalPaperProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7592-b016-5d0711a9e887" xlink:to="loc_ess_CommericalPaperProgramMember_019e22b1-da86-770b-8111-48f27535389c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d53-b7d3-7580b36285d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7500-b5d7-5e9db80c9a89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d53-b7d3-7580b36285d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-795c-9dbe-b24872bd2084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d53-b7d3-7580b36285d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-795c-9dbe-b24872bd2084" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ab1-be7b-aa24ee6e8af0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e87-999b-8a58a404f472" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ab1-be7b-aa24ee6e8af0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-70e8-9fce-e9f08ad9a94b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ab1-be7b-aa24ee6e8af0" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-70e8-9fce-e9f08ad9a94b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-74c9-a5be-10febf7a27df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7db6-be30-b901c3a7a37c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-74c9-a5be-10febf7a27df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e22b1-da86-7ffc-94dd-275ecbbf8885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-74c9-a5be-10febf7a27df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e22b1-da86-7ffc-94dd-275ecbbf8885" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember_019e22b1-da86-7d5d-bb2e-1f046210dd8e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e22b1-da86-74c9-a5be-10febf7a27df" xlink:to="loc_ess_LineOfCreditWorkingCapitalMember_019e22b1-da86-7d5d-bb2e-1f046210dd8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d61-94f5-3d94b00ec3e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019e22b1-da86-731e-8c16-0b96ea50145c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d61-94f5-3d94b00ec3e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_019e22b1-da86-76c0-82a3-3673b5bc4853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7d61-94f5-3d94b00ec3e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember_019e22b1-da86-76c0-82a3-3673b5bc4853" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e22b1-da86-7692-a96f-0f3a2d2fbb72" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-da86-73a7-bb17-f6e5ac175bd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e22b1-da86-79a0-bd1d-6d4edeb83cc9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-da86-73a7-bb17-f6e5ac175bd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e22b1-da86-7f73-b2ae-6683fc6c45e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e22b1-da86-73a7-bb17-f6e5ac175bd4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e22b1-da86-7f73-b2ae-6683fc6c45e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e22b1-da86-7c09-a650-7d186b895a16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e22b1-da86-7c09-a650-7d186b895a16" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-78e7-9a5d-fde9076f07cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-78e7-9a5d-fde9076f07cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019e22b1-da86-78fc-a762-f0df4a3ca599" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaper"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaper_019e22b1-da86-78fc-a762-f0df4a3ca599" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e22b1-da86-7d9e-91d8-bfcac63c450f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e22b1-da86-7d9e-91d8-bfcac63c450f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_UnsecuredDebtAndLineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-7b1a-8642-e11efb30b98c" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_UnsecuredDebtAndLineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_ess_UnsecuredDebtAndLineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-7b1a-8642-e11efb30b98c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-739b-af62-2e024a9511d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-739b-af62-2e024a9511d6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentsMaturityPeriod_019e22b1-da86-7ed8-8f0a-b99b9dc0d96a" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DebtInstrumentsMaturityPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentsMaturityPeriod_019e22b1-da86-7ed8-8f0a-b99b9dc0d96a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e22b1-da86-79ed-a6cf-d765af38588e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e22b1-da86-79ed-a6cf-d765af38588e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e22b1-da86-796e-be77-d9a2aa79a960" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e22b1-da86-796e-be77-d9a2aa79a960" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentTermsNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e22b1-da86-77d4-824f-c78decf17751" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DebtInstrumentTermsNumberOfExtensionOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentTermsNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e22b1-da86-77d4-824f-c78decf17751" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentTermExtensionPeriod_019e22b1-da86-77ae-9ef4-8bcf3371bdc2" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DebtInstrumentTermExtensionPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentTermExtensionPeriod_019e22b1-da86-77ae-9ef4-8bcf3371bdc2" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e22b1-da86-77f7-a2c2-f0ca0e0e3f46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e22b1-da86-77f7-a2c2-f0ca0e0e3f46" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_019e22b1-da86-753d-a8f1-ac86a4ab09c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_019e22b1-da86-753d-a8f1-ac86a4ab09c6" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_019e22b1-da86-784d-9652-1abf7b25fcba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_019e22b1-da86-784d-9652-1abf7b25fcba" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentNumbersOfLineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-7b5c-bfe3-2ef2750c6cbf" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_DebtInstrumentNumbersOfLineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_ess_DebtInstrumentNumbersOfLineOfCredit_019e22b1-da86-7b5c-bfe3-2ef2750c6cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e22b1-da86-7b7c-9da9-bef3fe5e18ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e22b1-da86-7b7c-9da9-bef3fe5e18ae" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_019e22b1-da86-77fb-818f-97afd64dfb42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateTypeExtensibleEnumeration_019e22b1-da86-77fb-818f-97afd64dfb42" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e22b1-da86-784e-9398-024666272baa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e22b1-da86-73d4-b6f6-b8c77bea9a2e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e22b1-da86-784e-9398-024666272baa" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofRevenuesandOperatingProfitLossfromSegmentstoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofRevenuesandOperatingProfitLossfromSegmentstoConsolidatedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofRevenuesandOperatingProfitLossfromSegmentstoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-7ca4-950c-03c3072fbb3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-7ca4-950c-03c3072fbb3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-7ca4-950c-03c3072fbb3b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78f3-8698-5067271c5b4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7073-876f-2ff7c45a64bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78f3-8698-5067271c5b4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-da86-75fe-88e6-c28ba54a560d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78f3-8698-5067271c5b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-da86-75fe-88e6-c28ba54a560d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-da86-7beb-ad05-d7138a4c32ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78f3-8698-5067271c5b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-da86-7beb-ad05-d7138a4c32ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-7ca4-950c-03c3072fbb3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c8-9d9b-4cf494a3fd39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7ca5-b982-6b7bfad20ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c8-9d9b-4cf494a3fd39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7be7-9fb1-35fd6770c262" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c8-9d9b-4cf494a3fd39" xlink:to="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7be7-9fb1-35fd6770c262" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7abc-924f-8b7e855c8df3" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c8-9d9b-4cf494a3fd39" xlink:to="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7abc-924f-8b7e855c8df3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-da86-7b81-8b06-9094700919e1" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SeattleMetroMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-75c8-9d9b-4cf494a3fd39" xlink:to="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-da86-7b81-8b06-9094700919e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-da86-7838-98de-c2ed81a892fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_019e22b1-da86-7838-98de-c2ed81a892fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpenseAndRealEstateTaxes_019e22b1-da86-7be7-bdbe-5b709eb7d366" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpenseAndRealEstateTaxes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_ess_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpenseAndRealEstateTaxes_019e22b1-da86-7be7-bdbe-5b709eb7d366" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019e22b1-da86-7bae-b3d3-5833885496d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019e22b1-da86-7bae-b3d3-5833885496d5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-da86-724c-9292-0574f5254e9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e22b1-da86-724c-9292-0574f5254e9c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses_019e22b1-da86-7d91-a2fb-7ea3501a954e" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_ess_CorporatePropertyManagementExpenses_019e22b1-da86-7d91-a2fb-7ea3501a954e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e22b1-da86-721b-964b-0e2ee76972e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e22b1-da86-721b-964b-0e2ee76972e1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-da86-78cf-a973-4b6712a4c11e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e22b1-da86-78cf-a973-4b6712a4c11e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e22b1-da86-7165-98e5-0bc26e8dc2d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e22b1-da86-7165-98e5-0bc26e8dc2d0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-da86-7dd9-8731-32727d7232cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e22b1-da86-7dd9-8731-32727d7232cb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative_019e22b1-da86-7376-ac05-98c0d8ae2149" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeGainOnDerivative_019e22b1-da86-7376-ac05-98c0d8ae2149" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense_019e22b1-da86-77e0-801f-232e5681c99d" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_ess_InterestAndOtherIncomeExpense_019e22b1-da86-77e0-801f-232e5681c99d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-da86-7591-9af7-de95bf5b2a5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e22b1-da86-7591-9af7-de95bf5b2a5c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_019e22b1-da86-7287-b6a3-7e7ebe432609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredOtherTaxExpenseBenefit_019e22b1-da86-7287-b6a3-7e7ebe432609" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-da86-73aa-8fe2-a5614be16c32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e22b1-da86-73aa-8fe2-a5614be16c32" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-da86-7f74-888c-cb3422e2c228" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_ess_GainOnRemeasurementOfCoInvestment_019e22b1-da86-7f74-888c-cb3422e2c228" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-da86-7db5-9dcc-f6138ead5e17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-79e0-a796-33940f8ae0ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e22b1-da86-7db5-9dcc-f6138ead5e17" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/SegmentInformationScheduleofReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-71e6-9047-77d9b468b7ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-71e6-9047-77d9b468b7ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-71e6-9047-77d9b468b7ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-76df-a8ec-1fa68c0fbbf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e22b1-da86-78c5-8883-bcf3282b0ddd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-76df-a8ec-1fa68c0fbbf8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-da86-785b-ba36-09ad03284b32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-76df-a8ec-1fa68c0fbbf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e22b1-da86-785b-ba36-09ad03284b32" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-da86-7390-a8b5-4eeedd668f3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e22b1-da86-76df-a8ec-1fa68c0fbbf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019e22b1-da86-7390-a8b5-4eeedd668f3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e22b1-da86-71e6-9047-77d9b468b7ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7cf6-9aa6-c17b1d4ca0f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e56-a7d2-a5eced2c1447" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7cf6-9aa6-c17b1d4ca0f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-769c-aa0e-149f71b8c689" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7cf6-9aa6-c17b1d4ca0f7" xlink:to="loc_ess_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-769c-aa0e-149f71b8c689" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7e19-8a1c-a568e5a39301" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7cf6-9aa6-c17b1d4ca0f7" xlink:to="loc_ess_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e22b1-da86-7e19-8a1c-a568e5a39301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-da86-7c41-b3a1-d69f40be3ba3" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_SeattleMetroMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e22b1-da86-7cf6-9aa6-c17b1d4ca0f7" xlink:to="loc_ess_SeattleMetroMember_019e22b1-da86-7c41-b3a1-d69f40be3ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e22b1-da86-7c37-a3a9-44dd412ac7f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e22b1-da86-7c37-a3a9-44dd412ac7f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-da86-717c-b7c6-3d1ce8c415e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e22b1-da86-717c-b7c6-3d1ce8c415e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-da86-72ec-ae30-ec03f0614ab8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_019e22b1-da86-72ec-ae30-ec03f0614ab8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e22b1-da86-7a24-b736-8735d695ea6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e22b1-da86-7a24-b736-8735d695ea6e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-da86-73c9-b0ae-efdb6e0f2670" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e22b1-da86-73c9-b0ae-efdb6e0f2670" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-da86-70d4-8a80-8177da6175b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_019e22b1-da86-70d4-8a80-8177da6175b0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e22b1-da86-7aae-9220-faa8e301aab1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e22b1-da86-7aae-9220-faa8e301aab1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-da86-740c-97e5-51f1935c55ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e22b1-da86-740c-97e5-51f1935c55ef" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-da86-7b30-aefb-323a5bf29169" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7440-88dd-e5a38091697d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e22b1-da86-7b30-aefb-323a5bf29169" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitScheduleofNetIncomePerCommonShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitScheduleofNetIncomePerCommonShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitScheduleofNetIncomePerCommonShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7355-8cb4-d1c7f0348ee2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-7c54-a6a6-0229c6a83c50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7355-8cb4-d1c7f0348ee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-7c54-a6a6-0229c6a83c50" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-7c54-a6a6-0229c6a83c50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7103-992f-f262b2b2e50e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7777-a4c6-97309cdfec70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7103-992f-f262b2b2e50e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019e22b1-da86-737f-9002-b9dc14f5f87b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7103-992f-f262b2b2e50e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019e22b1-da86-737f-9002-b9dc14f5f87b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-7c54-a6a6-0229c6a83c50" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7866-ba11-9b0eef44a841" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7e30-9320-aecbb45c9675" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7866-ba11-9b0eef44a841" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-704f-af72-602cff95c2e8" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7866-ba11-9b0eef44a841" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-704f-af72-602cff95c2e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7355-8cb4-d1c7f0348ee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e22b1-da86-77d0-a44d-14bebd721375" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e22b1-da86-77d0-a44d-14bebd721375" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e22b1-da86-7ad5-a370-3944e58fd3dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e22b1-da86-7ad5-a370-3944e58fd3dc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e22b1-da86-7ece-a1e4-78b7b8fa927d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e22b1-da86-7ece-a1e4-78b7b8fa927d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_IncomeEffectOfDilutiveSecurities_019e22b1-da86-7e1d-8700-2db872d4f5bd" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_IncomeEffectOfDilutiveSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:to="loc_ess_IncomeEffectOfDilutiveSecurities_019e22b1-da86-7e1d-8700-2db872d4f5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019e22b1-da86-79a0-a937-79d97d61d171" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e22b1-da86-7a94-84b9-2bfd6816eb2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019e22b1-da86-79a0-a937-79d97d61d171" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-da86-725b-bc6e-9a92c31d7d59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-7355-8cb4-d1c7f0348ee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-da86-725b-bc6e-9a92c31d7d59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted_019e22b1-da86-7fb6-a646-14622f8b2857" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-da86-725b-bc6e-9a92c31d7d59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersDiluted_019e22b1-da86-7fb6-a646-14622f8b2857" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-da86-7a07-bb68-248e4d1d3b45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-da86-725b-bc6e-9a92c31d7d59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e22b1-da86-7a07-bb68-248e4d1d3b45" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e22b1-da86-780b-a8e2-4803de6fa07b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e22b1-da86-725b-bc6e-9a92c31d7d59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e22b1-da86-780b-a8e2-4803de6fa07b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/NetIncomePerCommonShareandNetIncomePerCommonUnitNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-785e-ab42-5d676c82b5a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-740f-a001-31c257c4400a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-785e-ab42-5d676c82b5a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-740f-a001-31c257c4400a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-740f-a001-31c257c4400a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7953-930f-d3ac8986e0ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e22b1-da86-7b5f-a29b-fca5a88f81c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7953-930f-d3ac8986e0ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ConvertibleLimitedPartnershipUnitsMember_019e22b1-da86-7278-adec-d6d45269d277" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ConvertibleLimitedPartnershipUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7953-930f-d3ac8986e0ce" xlink:to="loc_ess_ConvertibleLimitedPartnershipUnitsMember_019e22b1-da86-7278-adec-d6d45269d277" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019e22b1-da86-72f5-ac3f-3f5f510bbc58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e22b1-da86-7953-930f-d3ac8986e0ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_019e22b1-da86-72f5-ac3f-3f5f510bbc58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019e22b1-da86-740f-a001-31c257c4400a" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e3d-b239-602c0fbd0094" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019e22b1-da86-7377-86d9-e193222cc4fe" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e3d-b239-602c0fbd0094" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-7c15-9927-f2170dd66964" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019e22b1-da86-7e3d-b239-602c0fbd0094" xlink:to="loc_ess_EssexPortfolioL.P.Member_019e22b1-da86-7c15-9927-f2170dd66964" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e22b1-da86-738d-83fa-b961efbe76d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-785e-ab42-5d676c82b5a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e22b1-da86-738d-83fa-b961efbe76d2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic_019e22b1-da86-725c-93dd-153473035345" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019e22b1-da86-785e-ab42-5d676c82b5a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsLossAllocatedToParticipatingSecuritiesBasic_019e22b1-da86-725c-93dd-153473035345" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e22b1-da86-7a96-810b-574d34fcce5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e22b1-da86-7a96-810b-574d34fcce5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e22b1-da86-7a96-810b-574d34fcce5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b96-aec5-9715c0368330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e22b1-da86-7669-8889-b923e14e0d73" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b96-aec5-9715c0368330" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7e17-bd6e-b429f3cc4890" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b96-aec5-9715c0368330" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7e17-bd6e-b429f3cc4890" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_InterestRateSwapOneMember_019e22b1-da86-74d7-b518-56f4c4e4f6ad" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_InterestRateSwapOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7e17-bd6e-b429f3cc4890" xlink:to="loc_ess_InterestRateSwapOneMember_019e22b1-da86-74d7-b518-56f4c4e4f6ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_InterestRateSwapTwoMember_019e22b1-da86-7f2d-9be0-ba5ade8be1ab" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_InterestRateSwapTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7e17-bd6e-b429f3cc4890" xlink:to="loc_ess_InterestRateSwapTwoMember_019e22b1-da86-7f2d-9be0-ba5ade8be1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7f91-b624-cd61e199a987" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e22b1-da86-7b96-aec5-9715c0368330" xlink:to="loc_ess_ForwardStartingInterestRateSwapMember_019e22b1-da86-7f91-b624-cd61e199a987" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_019e22b1-da86-7aff-92e6-b4d06d6a20db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_019e22b1-da86-7aff-92e6-b4d06d6a20db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_NumberOfInterestRateSwaps_019e22b1-da86-7e2f-bb18-4de120f0331b" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_NumberOfInterestRateSwaps"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_ess_NumberOfInterestRateSwaps_019e22b1-da86-7e2f-bb18-4de120f0331b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e22b1-da86-7577-bb0d-851a53108648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e22b1-da86-7577-bb0d-851a53108648" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e22b1-da86-7e02-b1eb-3043253698a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e22b1-da86-7e02-b1eb-3043253698a1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-7a8a-acef-7b58734ed4c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_019e22b1-da86-7a8a-acef-7b58734ed4c2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e22b1-da86-774a-83b4-1a41a754823e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e22b1-da86-770a-9a1b-32a62d4d02bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e22b1-da86-774a-83b4-1a41a754823e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.essex.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.essex.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_019f8674-e3c5-7db9-bab2-f0e97cd472ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_019f8674-e3c5-7287-9fc8-e99d8e14adcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_019f8674-e3c5-7db9-bab2-f0e97cd472ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_019f8674-e3c5-7287-9fc8-e99d8e14adcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGuaranteeObligationsTable_019f8674-e3c5-7287-9fc8-e99d8e14adcc" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-72bd-9270-0ceeddebe2ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_019f8674-e3c5-74aa-a022-8c578a03334f" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-72bd-9270-0ceeddebe2ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_RealPageInc.Member_019f86a7-b569-76a7-8b18-f7ccafc4af41" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_RealPageInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-72bd-9270-0ceeddebe2ec" xlink:to="loc_ess_RealPageInc.Member_019f86a7-b569-76a7-8b18-f7ccafc4af41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ess_OtherLitigationCaseMember_019f8674-e3c5-7b3d-b57d-414b21aa1715" xlink:href="ess-20260630.xsd#ess_OtherLitigationCaseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_019f8674-e3c5-72bd-9270-0ceeddebe2ec" xlink:to="loc_ess_OtherLitigationCaseMember_019f8674-e3c5-7b3d-b57d-414b21aa1715" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_019f8674-e3c5-72c3-b058-b616546eca59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsLineItems_019f8674-e3c5-7db9-bab2-f0e97cd472ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_019f8674-e3c5-72c3-b058-b616546eca59" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
