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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e4791-0e91-7e7e-8544-801447433486,g:5f2dbced-7b99-4d17-a612-5c4bc20f298d-->
<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://globalnetlease.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e4791-1177-75dd-99e9-e2fe31cc38c4" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e4791-1177-75dd-99e9-e2fe31cc38c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e4791-1177-75dd-99e9-e2fe31cc38c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1177-7966-b45c-b4bd84a20772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-1177-7164-b3dd-c758891f425b" 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_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-1177-7164-b3dd-c758891f425b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7793-8662-d38c87a6f662" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7793-8662-d38c87a6f662" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-761e-8b20-6f2f8840619d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-761e-8b20-6f2f8840619d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7773-beb3-e0f57eb68aa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7773-beb3-e0f57eb68aa1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7fe0-898e-24d900c62cd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1177-72b2-86c1-1d424c7bedb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1177-7fe0-898e-24d900c62cd0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e4791-1177-7408-b4cb-ea8613e9bbe2" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e4791-1177-7408-b4cb-ea8613e9bbe2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e4791-1177-7be4-8c4d-3720c27489ed" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e4791-1177-7be4-8c4d-3720c27489ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e4791-1177-7982-970d-7cc6b5b655d2" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e4791-1177-7982-970d-7cc6b5b655d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e4791-1177-7f76-b063-00fc7a0237b0" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e4791-1177-7f76-b063-00fc7a0237b0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e4791-1177-773c-b415-59d2da587fdd" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e4791-1177-773c-b415-59d2da587fdd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e4791-1177-74e8-8be0-4760965260f4" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e4791-1177-74e8-8be0-4760965260f4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e4791-1177-7552-8a60-59cd1a4d16ee" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e4791-1177-7552-8a60-59cd1a4d16ee" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e4791-1177-7b79-b080-14ff334f3f61" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e4791-1177-7b79-b080-14ff334f3f61" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e4791-1177-705a-b85f-208f5644646c" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e4791-1177-705a-b85f-208f5644646c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e4791-1177-727e-a72a-3fc407cacf15" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e4791-1177-727e-a72a-3fc407cacf15" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e4791-1177-7490-a7b3-13c5d1215580" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e4791-1177-7490-a7b3-13c5d1215580" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e4791-1177-76db-8503-ae85ee3a3d15" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e4791-1177-76db-8503-ae85ee3a3d15" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e4791-1177-7489-a159-fa6b14f70157" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e4791-1177-7489-a159-fa6b14f70157" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e4791-1177-70b0-a15e-4bd53c7c8655" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e4791-1177-70b0-a15e-4bd53c7c8655" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e4791-1177-7d57-a20f-c809cd3bbd01" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e4791-1177-7d57-a20f-c809cd3bbd01" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e4791-1177-74cf-994e-73e537acbe18" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e4791-1177-74cf-994e-73e537acbe18" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e4791-1177-74d7-b618-1f85c73f57b6" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e4791-1177-74d7-b618-1f85c73f57b6" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e4791-1177-7e1a-9014-451591402529" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e4791-1177-7e1a-9014-451591402529" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e4791-1177-7d85-8fe6-c4c888f8eec0" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e4791-1177-7d85-8fe6-c4c888f8eec0" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e4791-1177-7f9e-8701-3c472de18df5" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e4791-1177-7f9e-8701-3c472de18df5" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e4791-1177-7ce9-99d9-dabfd7415643" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e4791-1177-7ce9-99d9-dabfd7415643" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e4791-1178-7260-b685-d2daacfda5f4" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e4791-1178-7260-b685-d2daacfda5f4" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e4791-1178-7a20-af76-f068f2136b19" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e4791-1178-7a20-af76-f068f2136b19" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-77be-8b8f-156272a73725" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-77be-8b8f-156272a73725" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e4791-1178-77df-b01e-016bc58db584" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e4791-1178-77df-b01e-016bc58db584" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e4791-1178-7dde-8fee-1eed3534cf0e" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e4791-1178-7dde-8fee-1eed3534cf0e" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e4791-1178-7be1-9364-49b1e00d2f48" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e4791-1178-7be1-9364-49b1e00d2f48" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e4791-1178-751a-8911-ef03932d1b29" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e4791-1178-751a-8911-ef03932d1b29" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e4791-1178-7d83-be6e-c69e16f8fdec" 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_019e4791-1177-779f-96ad-5f76bb344edd" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e4791-1178-7d83-be6e-c69e16f8fdec" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETS" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-7c0c-9a96-890ce144a5f0" 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_019e4791-1178-7b2c-9695-fe16f26e8bbc" 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_019e4791-1178-7c0c-9a96-890ce144a5f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-1178-7b2c-9695-fe16f26e8bbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-1178-7b2c-9695-fe16f26e8bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-7caf-a0cb-60b80c8093b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7716-9a83-8bd9a49cc3c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7716-9a83-8bd9a49cc3c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7627-a5aa-4e8fb4447769" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7627-a5aa-4e8fb4447769" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-757c-83db-bb04e8a7345c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-757c-83db-bb04e8a7345c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7ece-be39-56557e2bf1ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7e37-b4fc-b8870b2443de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7ece-be39-56557e2bf1ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" 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_019e4791-1178-7c0c-9a96-890ce144a5f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Land_019e4791-1178-7e8b-bdb4-20ec552fbf07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Land"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Land_019e4791-1178-7e8b-bdb4-20ec552fbf07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements_019e4791-1178-799a-bd21-785936295657" 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_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentBuildingAndBuildingImprovements_019e4791-1178-799a-bd21-785936295657" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e4791-1178-7083-8233-64dfe5fd47d8" 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_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_019e4791-1178-7083-8233-64dfe5fd47d8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019e4791-1178-757c-8b10-7b1bda58fe33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019e4791-1178-757c-8b10-7b1bda58fe33" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e4791-1178-7be1-ad20-85837bad4bc9" 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_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e4791-1178-7be1-ad20-85837bad4bc9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019e4791-1178-7266-b909-b638bb7577ec" 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_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019e4791-1178-7266-b909-b638bb7577ec" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e4791-1178-76cf-83c7-ca5dc1a6081a" 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_RealEstateInvestmentsAbstract_019e4791-1178-764a-a841-6416244db8ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e4791-1178-76cf-83c7-ca5dc1a6081a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-1178-7f46-a7ee-fc1b4634df4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-1178-7f46-a7ee-fc1b4634df4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-1178-7dc2-a229-29377cb25c54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-1178-7dc2-a229-29377cb25c54" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-1178-72a7-9d7b-703fb14c4470" 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_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-1178-72a7-9d7b-703fb14c4470" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-1178-7565-86d6-542cc6cae89d" 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_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-1178-7565-86d6-542cc6cae89d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e4791-1178-7d0b-a4eb-567a12633b9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e4791-1178-7d0b-a4eb-567a12633b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee_019e4791-1178-7d6e-97b5-6c71081556a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee_019e4791-1178-7d6e-97b5-6c71081556a0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-1178-7ed8-b0c7-8cee7d35971d" 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_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-1178-7ed8-b0c7-8cee7d35971d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-1178-79ef-be68-5ca77bda2204" 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_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-1178-79ef-be68-5ca77bda2204" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-1178-765f-b136-da585f0c3895" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-1178-765f-b136-da585f0c3895" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e4791-1178-72ba-b375-78750567488f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e4791-1178-72ba-b375-78750567488f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e4791-1178-74ac-9961-a7ee09033501" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e4791-1178-74ac-9961-a7ee09033501" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet_019e4791-1178-7881-bfc4-57412db1cab5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet_019e4791-1178-7881-bfc4-57412db1cab5" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e4791-1178-7ab8-9193-94611ac44bfa" 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_019e4791-1178-79eb-9dda-57b88aa76eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e4791-1178-7ab8-9193-94611ac44bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" 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_019e4791-1178-7c0c-9a96-890ce144a5f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e4791-1178-717d-8682-6864783b7a67" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e4791-1178-717d-8682-6864783b7a67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e4791-1178-7636-9066-da796a9085e3" 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_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e4791-1178-7636-9066-da796a9085e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019e4791-1178-7b44-a92f-a3e5df585f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_019e4791-1178-7b44-a92f-a3e5df585f09" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OffMarketLeasesUnfavorableNetOfAccumulatedAmortization_019e4791-1178-7731-9a96-24066200286c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OffMarketLeasesUnfavorableNetOfAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OffMarketLeasesUnfavorableNetOfAccumulatedAmortization_019e4791-1178-7731-9a96-24066200286c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e4791-1178-7a3c-afc8-8ec395be18b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_019e4791-1178-7a3c-afc8-8ec395be18b4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e4791-1178-71e5-ae3b-bb5e46427567" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e4791-1178-71e5-ae3b-bb5e46427567" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e4791-1178-71c9-86b9-2c1a87fe46c7" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e4791-1178-71c9-86b9-2c1a87fe46c7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdvanceRent_019e4791-1178-7066-ae38-eab1059828c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdvanceRent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdvanceRent_019e4791-1178-7066-ae38-eab1059828c2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_019e4791-1178-7da7-a61c-589882af13b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilitiesNet_019e4791-1178-7da7-a61c-589882af13b2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e4791-1178-7181-ab79-6a2bc215959b" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPayableCurrentAndNoncurrent_019e4791-1178-7181-ab79-6a2bc215959b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLiabilitiesAssociatedWithAssetsHeldForDevelopmentAndSale_019e4791-1178-7a71-b5a3-041319e54c4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLiabilitiesAssociatedWithAssetsHeldForDevelopmentAndSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLiabilitiesAssociatedWithAssetsHeldForDevelopmentAndSale_019e4791-1178-7a71-b5a3-041319e54c4d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-1178-7a11-9858-98842a837478" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-1178-7a11-9858-98842a837478" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e4791-1178-7531-bed4-a061da60f995" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019e4791-1178-7531-bed4-a061da60f995" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019e4791-1178-79e4-80eb-80456d48ae13" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019e4791-1178-79e4-80eb-80456d48ae13" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_019e4791-1178-77cf-83b7-b2d11fa6d4c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_019e4791-1178-77cf-83b7-b2d11fa6d4c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_019e4791-1178-77a7-9115-2da07560e09c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_019e4791-1178-77a7-9115-2da07560e09c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_019e4791-1178-7f24-8761-e48370c11e14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_019e4791-1178-7f24-8761-e48370c11e14" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e4791-1178-7c1d-8825-ea3611239c8c" 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_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019e4791-1178-7c1d-8825-ea3611239c8c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019e4791-1178-77d7-b134-91a7b35b815f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019e4791-1178-77d7-b134-91a7b35b815f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e4791-1178-7714-a271-80175a733171" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019e4791-1178-72ea-a27a-c8f29e568181" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019e4791-1178-7714-a271-80175a733171" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e4791-1178-7f8c-8fd1-7ba77f19a172" 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_019e4791-1178-7115-864d-801524c65332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019e4791-1178-7f8c-8fd1-7ba77f19a172" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" 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_019e4791-1178-7e47-b37b-9823189b073d" 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_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-1178-7e47-b37b-9823189b073d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-1178-7e47-b37b-9823189b073d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-1178-702d-b3e1-e9ed232265c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7be1-b2ff-f376e06d2768" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7be1-b2ff-f376e06d2768" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-77a8-bca4-bbeeba6aa05e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-77a8-bca4-bbeeba6aa05e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7b21-a9ee-13b44b7920e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7b21-a9ee-13b44b7920e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7e25-96ae-035a8b63f19a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-1178-7657-8712-c3e4eca63083" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-1178-7e25-96ae-035a8b63f19a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-1178-76eb-b3cb-2ce80ac19e8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-1178-76eb-b3cb-2ce80ac19e8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-1178-753a-9433-16cabdf52f4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-1178-753a-9433-16cabdf52f4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e4791-1178-764e-95e2-f88401dea1e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e4791-1178-764e-95e2-f88401dea1e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-1178-7cbd-ac25-e0a8eebeeaca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-1178-7cbd-ac25-e0a8eebeeaca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e4791-1178-7b58-9018-bd603b75ff6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e4791-1178-7b58-9018-bd603b75ff6a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-7dd0-8251-39328181a956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-7dd0-8251-39328181a956" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-1178-73bc-9ae5-9c2f44992430" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-1178-73bc-9ae5-9c2f44992430" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-1178-7952-acef-153996ea957c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-1178-7952-acef-153996ea957c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e4791-1178-732f-b227-a307e887cca4" 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_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e4791-1178-732f-b227-a307e887cca4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-7250-8667-f6a034b3913e" 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_019e4791-1178-704a-aaa3-c9fb8d596198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-1178-7250-8667-f6a034b3913e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITY" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-74d3-beac-bbc34be635bb" 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_019e4791-123e-757d-a8b1-fca8abc22084" 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_019e4791-123e-74d3-beac-bbc34be635bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-757d-a8b1-fca8abc22084" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f" 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_019e4791-123e-757d-a8b1-fca8abc22084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f_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_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-123e-7d1c-9a52-f47d42f761a5" 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_019e4791-123e-78b9-abc0-70d0cac3fe4f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-123e-7d1c-9a52-f47d42f761a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-123e-7d1c-9a52-f47d42f761a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-785c-9c0e-a426e999e1f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-785c-9c0e-a426e999e1f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-123e-7156-b893-e98ee648588e" 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_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-123e-7156-b893-e98ee648588e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e4791-123e-792a-89be-53ec7c5086fc" 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_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e4791-123e-792a-89be-53ec7c5086fc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e4791-123e-7db6-8e6a-c63f49a24727" 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_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e4791-123e-7db6-8e6a-c63f49a24727" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e4791-123e-7c86-8b43-18f85ba36cd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-123e-7200-90f0-54e8436afc0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019e4791-123e-7c86-8b43-18f85ba36cd2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-757d-a8b1-fca8abc22084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-703a-a644-4fefcc174389" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7bef-bc41-15143841d847" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7bef-bc41-15143841d847" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-739a-b6b7-3d63fda59ebe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-739a-b6b7-3d63fda59ebe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7fee-aca8-4ca265bc5511" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7fee-aca8-4ca265bc5511" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7f41-bd18-3540a7caf515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7f41-bd18-3540a7caf515" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-123e-7dbc-8546-6b637585d642" 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_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-79e6-88fe-42ef98a26a4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-123e-7dbc-8546-6b637585d642" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" 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_019e4791-123e-74d3-beac-bbc34be635bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019e4791-123e-7f61-bfd9-008ab88e8799" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019e4791-123e-7f61-bfd9-008ab88e8799" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-123e-7766-9a98-2ecd0c2a3446" 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_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-123e-7766-9a98-2ecd0c2a3446" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e4791-123e-79ea-b108-db313ce911b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e4791-123e-79ea-b108-db313ce911b8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e4791-123e-72b7-b047-1e6b1346784e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e4791-123e-72b7-b047-1e6b1346784e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e4791-123e-7d10-83a5-8fcc10c1b3cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e4791-123e-7d10-83a5-8fcc10c1b3cc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019e4791-123e-77c6-8e87-6dec7df02d2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019e4791-123e-77c6-8e87-6dec7df02d2c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidinCapitalSharebasedCompensationOtherLongtermIncentivePlansRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionShares_019e4791-123e-7ae9-a7f2-bff865000e15" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidinCapitalSharebasedCompensationOtherLongtermIncentivePlansRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidinCapitalSharebasedCompensationOtherLongtermIncentivePlansRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionShares_019e4791-123e-7ae9-a7f2-bff865000e15" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e4791-123e-7b02-ac76-a11daa931760" 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_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_019e4791-123e-7b02-ac76-a11daa931760" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedPaymentArrangementRestrictedStockUnitSharesWithheldUponVestingShares_019ed45c-7f2f-79a2-aede-78da3ecde302" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedPaymentArrangementRestrictedStockUnitSharesWithheldUponVestingShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedPaymentArrangementRestrictedStockUnitSharesWithheldUponVestingShares_019ed45c-7f2f-79a2-aede-78da3ecde302" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonSharesRepurchasedUponRestrictedSharesVesting_019e4791-123e-7cfd-b0fd-dc61f7269cde" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonSharesRepurchasedUponRestrictedSharesVesting"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AdditionalPaidInCapitalCommonSharesRepurchasedUponRestrictedSharesVesting_019e4791-123e-7cfd-b0fd-dc61f7269cde" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-123e-7b65-b104-b452a3e752e2" 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_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-123e-7b65-b104-b452a3e752e2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease_019e4791-123e-7b63-9d40-896f5b89813a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CumulativeTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease_019e4791-123e-7b63-9d40-896f5b89813a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e4791-123e-72c4-a0c3-a659981acc4a" 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_019e4791-123e-75cb-8732-152b9611c207" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_019e4791-123e-72c4-a0c3-a659981acc4a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019e4791-123e-702d-b54c-8349ecbc3d1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-123e-704f-a527-373dd2ad6a13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINEQUITYParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-72a4-a9cf-db5cd35d969f" 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_019e4791-123e-7a08-9723-4916b46e9233" 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_019e4791-123e-72a4-a9cf-db5cd35d969f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-7a08-9723-4916b46e9233" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-7a08-9723-4916b46e9233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7083-94e1-1ea62aa0dda3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-731c-84ce-c99609a828e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-731c-84ce-c99609a828e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7b11-b56c-08b4c3de593e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7b11-b56c-08b4c3de593e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7a01-b636-675ac9bad8af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7a01-b636-675ac9bad8af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-76f6-a9fe-b3dd4c22149f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75e1-8904-ced8cfb65bde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-76f6-a9fe-b3dd4c22149f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e4791-123e-77d8-b8e9-5c246822795f" 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_019e4791-123e-72a4-a9cf-db5cd35d969f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e4791-123e-77d8-b8e9-5c246822795f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e4791-123e-7156-8c0c-dce1d2f09a6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-72a4-a9cf-db5cd35d969f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e4791-123e-7156-8c0c-dce1d2f09a6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" 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_019e4791-123e-7072-97c2-e0311c82e4c7" 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_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-7072-97c2-e0311c82e4c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e4791-123e-7072-97c2-e0311c82e4c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-123e-7bf7-b7be-1b7953d4f88f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-74f9-9f86-50d529d60e34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-74f9-9f86-50d529d60e34" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7723-96a7-5986fa7f33c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7723-96a7-5986fa7f33c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-78d9-8e22-4ec2db550a96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-78d9-8e22-4ec2db550a96" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7c42-a6c7-32c86432fc41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-123e-75b5-ab82-c1ead23fb805" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-123e-7c42-a6c7-32c86432fc41" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7162-949a-aebbd0c19f66" 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_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7162-949a-aebbd0c19f66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-123e-7fc7-986c-5b7f8780421d" 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_019e4791-123e-7162-949a-aebbd0c19f66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-123e-7fc7-986c-5b7f8780421d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" 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_019e4791-123e-7162-949a-aebbd0c19f66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e4791-123e-733a-a046-7daa67b7f991" 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_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e4791-123e-733a-a046-7daa67b7f991" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019e4791-123e-77f7-8ea0-d8d3f5fe2ef0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019e4791-123e-77f7-8ea0-d8d3f5fe2ef0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019e4791-123e-7b76-b3f8-babb81bf636d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019e4791-123e-7b76-b3f8-babb81bf636d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e4791-123e-7693-be99-828c3c7b9948" 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_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e4791-123e-7693-be99-828c3c7b9948" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AmortizationofBelowMarketLeaseLiabilities_019e4791-123e-7307-b2a4-8388a1d05b2f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AmortizationofBelowMarketLeaseLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AmortizationofBelowMarketLeaseLiabilities_019e4791-123e-7307-b2a4-8388a1d05b2f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets_019e4791-123e-7e99-b215-b7e520e701a6" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets_019e4791-123e-7e99-b215-b7e520e701a6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortizationExpense_019e4791-123e-7717-b53b-7c5a82dde3e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortizationExpense_019e4791-123e-7717-b53b-7c5a82dde3e7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AmortizationLeaseIncentives_019e4791-123e-7c43-9d4d-95efc9254f8b" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AmortizationLeaseIncentives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AmortizationLeaseIncentives_019e4791-123e-7c43-9d4d-95efc9254f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e4791-123e-7af2-b978-52890c62b441" 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_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e4791-123e-7af2-b978-52890c62b441" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e4791-123e-7183-916c-f068f21716aa" 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_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_019e4791-123e-7183-916c-f068f21716aa" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_UnrealizedGainLossonForeignCurrencyTransactionDerivativesandOther_019e4791-123e-78c5-a7bb-fe4e16a1cc5f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_UnrealizedGainLossonForeignCurrencyTransactionDerivativesandOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_UnrealizedGainLossonForeignCurrencyTransactionDerivativesandOther_019e4791-123e-78c5-a7bb-fe4e16a1cc5f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss_019e4791-123e-73d7-ade3-afeb271049e6" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss_019e4791-123e-73d7-ade3-afeb271049e6" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NetLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123e-7e3a-8b60-d0a8fee182af" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NetLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NetLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123e-7e3a-8b60-d0a8fee182af" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_GainLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt_019e4791-123e-7baf-b66c-79ad7370d1ab" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_GainLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_GainLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt_019e4791-123e-7baf-b66c-79ad7370d1ab" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019e4791-123e-73ea-9338-a1703bd990f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019e4791-123e-73ea-9338-a1703bd990f6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LeaseIncentiveAndCommissionPayment_019e4791-123e-70a0-b3aa-eef3801e01ee" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LeaseIncentiveAndCommissionPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LeaseIncentiveAndCommissionPayment_019e4791-123e-70a0-b3aa-eef3801e01ee" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillIncludingDiscontinuedOperations_019e4791-123e-7e75-bb2b-cdbd46392dee" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillIncludingDiscontinuedOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillIncludingDiscontinuedOperations_019e4791-123e-7e75-bb2b-cdbd46392dee" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-123e-7b7a-bda8-190469c49de4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-123e-7b7a-bda8-190469c49de4" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e4791-123e-7677-934c-e3ede4f2f378" 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_019e4791-123e-7b19-b1ab-3481bdcdb0f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e4791-123e-7677-934c-e3ede4f2f378" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123e-7a4b-bc22-8cd8306ae916" 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_019e4791-123e-7677-934c-e3ede4f2f378" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123e-7a4b-bc22-8cd8306ae916" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e4791-123e-714a-bf12-691fdc0565bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e4791-123e-7677-934c-e3ede4f2f378" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e4791-123e-714a-bf12-691fdc0565bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities_019e4791-123e-7c97-8da1-67b58f18caf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019e4791-123e-7677-934c-e3ede4f2f378" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities_019e4791-123e-7c97-8da1-67b58f18caf8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e4791-123e-77a3-9f3c-421fe863c61a" 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_019e4791-123e-7162-949a-aebbd0c19f66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019e4791-123e-77a3-9f3c-421fe863c61a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" 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_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions_019fb48d-6f2d-7b28-8673-c8cd43f445a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForDepositsOnRealEstateAcquisitions_019fb48d-6f2d-7b28-8673-c8cd43f445a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e4791-123e-7a6b-abc7-1e3d87f2ce77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019e4791-123e-7a6b-abc7-1e3d87f2ce77" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e4791-123e-72b6-aa1d-27722d599d00" 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_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e4791-123e-72b6-aa1d-27722d599d00" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123e-79e1-ac08-a24d400fb7a7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123e-79e1-ac08-a24d400fb7a7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e4791-123e-7474-989e-787f38f1e550" 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_019e4791-123e-76b6-8c53-8334cdf11fec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_019e4791-123e-7474-989e-787f38f1e550" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" 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_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_019e4791-123e-7083-93fc-376c5f1f542c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_019e4791-123e-7083-93fc-376c5f1f542c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_019e4791-123e-7ad2-9486-bb189d90b669" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_019e4791-123e-7ad2-9486-bb189d90b669" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019e4791-123e-7f94-9c20-57b1d1e25bfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019e4791-123e-7f94-9c20-57b1d1e25bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019ed45f-71b7-72ac-ad4a-d39953351652" 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_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_019ed45f-71b7-72ac-ad4a-d39953351652" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonUponVestingOfRestrictedStock_019e4791-123e-7554-ac87-4370057a30ac" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonUponVestingOfRestrictedStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonUponVestingOfRestrictedStock_019e4791-123e-7554-ac87-4370057a30ac" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e4791-123e-75e9-a3e2-16ef6a129650" 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_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock_019e4791-123e-75e9-a3e2-16ef6a129650" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_019e4791-123e-7c69-9b37-f9624d7eecd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_019e4791-123e-7c69-9b37-f9624d7eecd9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_019e4791-123e-77a6-be35-6af0ade7d0e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsPreferredStockAndPreferenceStock_019e4791-123e-77a6-be35-6af0ade7d0e9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e4791-123e-7b63-b458-dac1df108da5" 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_019e4791-123e-7b4a-a012-e0ec7ef8eb5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_019e4791-123e-7b63-b458-dac1df108da5" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_019e4791-123e-73e6-9fbe-a1fc53a9d41c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_019e4791-123e-73e6-9fbe-a1fc53a9d41c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7150-9256-160d75d97e05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7150-9256-160d75d97e05" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7b5c-bcb2-1085aadeee52" 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_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7b5c-bcb2-1085aadeee52" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7a33-9509-3b99177db08a" 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_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-123e-7cf3-ac1b-d240722cc63b" 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_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-123e-7cf3-ac1b-d240722cc63b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-768e-a24a-dbb251a87e0d" 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_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-768e-a24a-dbb251a87e0d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_019e4791-123e-7b5a-aac9-90f9e5417dfa" 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_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_019e4791-123e-7d48-8dd2-32f21028b5e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e4791-123e-7cdd-8f1f-b3e8c939d0a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_019e4791-123e-7d48-8dd2-32f21028b5e4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NoncashGainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-123e-74d8-9904-0fb7b4aa81c4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NoncashGainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_019e4791-123e-7d48-8dd2-32f21028b5e4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NoncashGainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-123e-74d8-9904-0fb7b4aa81c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_019e4791-123e-74ef-93af-2db93878f717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashInvestingAndFinancingItemsAbstract_019e4791-123e-7d48-8dd2-32f21028b5e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_019e4791-123e-74ef-93af-2db93878f717" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/OrganizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#OrganizationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/OrganizationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0" 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_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0_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_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7f28-a149-05c6e9ed0622" 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_019e4791-123e-7415-b997-509f968d8ee0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7f28-a149-05c6e9ed0622" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-79b2-a73e-dc6ce310ec7a" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7f28-a149-05c6e9ed0622" xlink:to="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-79b2-a73e-dc6ce310ec7a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-7b73-9461-409c6b758a8c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SingleTenantRetailPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7f28-a149-05c6e9ed0622" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-7b73-9461-409c6b758a8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_019e4791-123e-733d-98aa-e46d62e70d4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OfficeBuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7f28-a149-05c6e9ed0622" xlink:to="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_019e4791-123e-733d-98aa-e46d62e70d4a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f" 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_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f_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_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7251-b743-5280b5657ea2" 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_019e4791-123e-7b32-b2be-0ace0ca9ca0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7251-b743-5280b5657ea2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_UnitedStatesAndCanadaMember_019e4791-123e-79a9-a47f-784d6390c6e0" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_UnitedStatesAndCanadaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7251-b743-5280b5657ea2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_UnitedStatesAndCanadaMember_019e4791-123e-79a9-a47f-784d6390c6e0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019e4791-123e-7478-9fbd-caf89901a0bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123e-7251-b743-5280b5657ea2" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019e4791-123e-7478-9fbd-caf89901a0bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ed444-4e6e-74f8-8c3e-2fa615fe416d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ed444-4e6e-702c-9ae4-9081848b9e5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ed444-4e6e-74f8-8c3e-2fa615fe416d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ModivMergerMember_019ed444-4e6e-70e5-9f2a-595f71190652" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ModivMergerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ed444-4e6e-74f8-8c3e-2fa615fe416d" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ModivMergerMember_019ed444-4e6e-70e5-9f2a-595f71190652" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7af3-8300-d00ee117cbf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7979-a010-0f6f2219be58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7af3-8300-d00ee117cbf1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_019ed444-4e6e-7872-8c08-46354a1175e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7af3-8300-d00ee117cbf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassCMember_019ed444-4e6e-7872-8c08-46354a1175e6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019ed444-4e6e-7799-a082-080f06a47045" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7af3-8300-d00ee117cbf1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019ed444-4e6e-7799-a082-080f06a47045" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95" 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_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95_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_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7e9a-aa7b-ac316117c288" 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_019ed444-4e6e-7e88-8327-b832cd0c7e95" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7e9a-aa7b-ac316117c288" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ModivIndustrialInc.Member_019ed444-4e6e-7b9c-a186-53ce875faa3a" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ModivIndustrialInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7e9a-aa7b-ac316117c288" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ModivIndustrialInc.Member_019ed444-4e6e-7b9c-a186-53ce875faa3a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f" 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_gnl_OperationsTable_019e4791-123e-794d-9f9e-fefbf7fa7ca9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f_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_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7298-bf7a-7381e45f0d43" 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_019ed444-4e6e-7388-b724-d319e5e0511f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ed444-4e6e-7298-bf7a-7381e45f0d43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ed444-4e6e-7992-b142-879e6d237655" 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_019ed444-4e6e-7298-bf7a-7381e45f0d43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ed444-4e6e-7992-b142-879e6d237655" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7c2a-a31a-cbc7d0c5da89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7c2a-a31a-cbc7d0c5da89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_019e4791-123e-7b95-a2ed-3228f0411f0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_019e4791-123e-7b95-a2ed-3228f0411f0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstatePropertyOccupancyRate_019e4791-123e-7348-a5ea-e156be0e1935" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstatePropertyOccupancyRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstatePropertyOccupancyRate_019e4791-123e-7348-a5ea-e156be0e1935" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm_019e4791-123e-705e-9280-34d9980dfdf8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm_019e4791-123e-705e-9280-34d9980dfdf8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage_019e4791-123e-7901-88e9-dc11b45aabe2" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage_019e4791-123e-7901-88e9-dc11b45aabe2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PortfolioStrategyTargetGeographicMixPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments_019e4791-123e-7a87-95b5-118df1a3d93c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PortfolioStrategyTargetGeographicMixPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PortfolioStrategyTargetGeographicMixPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments_019e4791-123e-7a87-95b5-118df1a3d93c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PortfolioStrategyPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments_019e4791-123e-744b-b804-d146c44ff569" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PortfolioStrategyPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PortfolioStrategyPercentageOfPortfolioInvestments_019e4791-123e-744b-b804-d146c44ff569" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019ed444-4e6e-706e-803a-a15cb5dd684c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019ed444-4e6e-706e-803a-a15cb5dd684c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BusinessCombinationConvertibleRatioShares_019ed444-4e6e-7711-aec8-07e1735f40ef" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BusinessCombinationConvertibleRatioShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BusinessCombinationConvertibleRatioShares_019ed444-4e6e-7711-aec8-07e1735f40ef" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019ed444-4e6e-73a5-a5a5-b530a7e9cb72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019ed444-4e6e-73a5-a5a5-b530a7e9cb72" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019ed444-4e6e-7418-8e3b-955935241fd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019ed444-4e6e-7418-8e3b-955935241fd3" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice_019ed444-4e6e-7346-96de-42219b323c5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_OperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d79-a9b5-dca8e93656fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionPrice_019ed444-4e6e-7346-96de-42219b323c5a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/BasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#BasisofPresentationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/BasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d2e-b5d8-bb09b18d01fd" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d2e-b5d8-bb09b18d01fd" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7f49-9eb4-0202b7d700f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7b84-8a3c-d40e765e327a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7f49-9eb4-0202b7d700f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123e-7d85-9c68-bafdc0896852" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7f49-9eb4-0202b7d700f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123e-7d85-9c68-bafdc0896852" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-773b-a6cd-4ba12cad58ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-73b2-95ef-f5dc367874d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-773b-a6cd-4ba12cad58ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123e-707d-a817-f3649342d3f0" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-773b-a6cd-4ba12cad58ce" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123e-707d-a817-f3649342d3f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7337-9b86-c63a07036b8d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-77f5-82b7-a8d8ce269a8a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7337-9b86-c63a07036b8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RCGVentureHoldingsLLCMember_019e4791-123e-7eac-b14c-670f00c59c06" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RCGVentureHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7337-9b86-c63a07036b8d" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RCGVentureHoldingsLLCMember_019e4791-123e-7eac-b14c-670f00c59c06" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04" 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_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_019e4791-123e-789c-8e38-97f01d7f5378" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04_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_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7c08-9abf-d935ebbbc83f" 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_019e4791-123e-7cd3-93f3-36736188ec04" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7c08-9abf-d935ebbbc83f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-77d7-9e3e-b05b33c4fb46" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7c08-9abf-d935ebbbc83f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-77d7-9e3e-b05b33c4fb46" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7be3-b9e4-734ee48a24db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_019e4791-123e-7d2e-b5d8-bb09b18d01fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7be3-b9e4-734ee48a24db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MultiTenantRetailDispositionNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-71e6-a580-c745a34eddd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123e-7ef5-9e68-a34e0d1e0848" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-71e6-a580-c745a34eddd6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123e-7eee-b949-a54a5eeed523" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123e-71e6-a580-c745a34eddd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123e-7eee-b949-a54a5eeed523" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7d2f-987d-5287d8293b77" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e23-bccb-22d1785e0c72" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7d2f-987d-5287d8293b77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember_019e4791-123e-7fc2-903c-1fd58618fcc4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7d2f-987d-5287d8293b77" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember_019e4791-123e-7fc2-903c-1fd58618fcc4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageSecondClosingMember_019e4791-123e-72e4-826f-d88ff62feadb" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageSecondClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7d2f-987d-5287d8293b77" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageSecondClosingMember_019e4791-123e-72e4-826f-d88ff62feadb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageThirdClosingMember_019e4791-123e-79b2-a9f7-af4a28d5c25f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageThirdClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7d2f-987d-5287d8293b77" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageThirdClosingMember_019e4791-123e-79b2-a9f7-af4a28d5c25f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9_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_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7b46-9348-cd4d7030bbc3" 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_019e4791-123e-78e1-ad6a-014faeb723c9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7b46-9348-cd4d7030bbc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-710b-8701-247953851aac" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7b46-9348-cd4d7030bbc3" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123e-710b-8701-247953851aac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-7d07-92a7-8cbbc1add072" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123e-7ed9-a7a5-84d7736e1251" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-7d07-92a7-8cbbc1add072" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123e-78f2-8b2b-3c8eb3b2c2b8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123e-7d07-92a7-8cbbc1add072" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123e-78f2-8b2b-3c8eb3b2c2b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-722d-8cc3-562f02eb5176" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BuyerTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeAxis_019e4791-123e-7e17-b011-9d2c7b0622f7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-722d-8cc3-562f02eb5176" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_TenantWhoExercisedRightOfFirstRefusalMember_019e4791-123e-73a9-893d-eadada062660" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_TenantWhoExercisedRightOfFirstRefusalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_BuyerTypeDomain_019e4791-123e-722d-8cc3-562f02eb5176" xlink:to="loc_gnl_TenantWhoExercisedRightOfFirstRefusalMember_019e4791-123e-73a9-893d-eadada062660" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe_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_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-123e-70bd-894f-bc4452447386" 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_019e4791-123e-7bc4-9aec-b40e921f7bfe" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-123e-70bd-894f-bc4452447386" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-123e-7683-b49d-41f8662741c3" 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_019e4791-123e-70bd-894f-bc4452447386" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-123e-7683-b49d-41f8662741c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-123e-7a44-ad99-63c911c72526" 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_019e4791-123e-70bd-894f-bc4452447386" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-123e-7a44-ad99-63c911c72526" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123e-7175-be8c-077f3a60bd52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574_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_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-123e-7b79-abee-7f59d9ad2599" 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_019e4791-123e-7d51-b9a0-3a3fa4843574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-123e-7b79-abee-7f59d9ad2599" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-123e-7414-a3a8-fac6d72d4389" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-123e-7b79-abee-7f59d9ad2599" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-123e-7414-a3a8-fac6d72d4389" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019e4791-123e-7b06-a554-2d1b624e9f58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019e4791-123e-7b06-a554-2d1b624e9f58" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7896-8d79-2ec8304ff0cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123e-7896-8d79-2ec8304ff0cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-79ef-a819-4f33642535b7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-79ef-a819-4f33642535b7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_019e4791-123f-77ad-ae99-4c4ebd39bb59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_019e4791-123f-77ad-ae99-4c4ebd39bb59" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivablesGrossCurrent_019e4791-123f-7393-8cec-66bc7e3243eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherReceivablesGrossCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivablesGrossCurrent_019e4791-123f-7393-8cec-66bc7e3243eb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupNetAdjustmentToFairValue_019e4791-123f-73b7-af7e-85ea4a09a0a3" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupNetAdjustmentToFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupNetAdjustmentToFairValue_019e4791-123f-73b7-af7e-85ea4a09a0a3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupLikelihoodOfTenantsMovingToOpenAndOperatingStatusPercent_019e4791-123f-7412-8a56-fc4db29e0ee0" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupLikelihoodOfTenantsMovingToOpenAndOperatingStatusPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupLikelihoodOfTenantsMovingToOpenAndOperatingStatusPercent_019e4791-123f-7412-8a56-fc4db29e0ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet_019e4791-123f-7753-9c5f-0282b2153080" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet_019e4791-123f-7753-9c5f-0282b2153080" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-123f-78c9-b85f-32380bbf350f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123e-7a77-a195-7f0ddbdcfbb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-123f-78c9-b85f-32380bbf350f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MultiTenantRetailDispositionAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-7c34-9c7c-09c7420ec18c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7d19-8c01-3535ff5ffc8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-7c34-9c7c-09c7420ec18c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7d19-8c01-3535ff5ffc8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7d19-8c01-3535ff5ffc8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-74dd-a608-5ce98cbfa458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7ee1-a88f-5baed3ac0fcf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-74dd-a608-5ce98cbfa458" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-7bac-9c09-a0e1ec7c2587" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-74dd-a608-5ce98cbfa458" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-7bac-9c09-a0e1ec7c2587" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssetsAbstract_019e4791-123f-7cff-9ec9-050fb8a3f746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-7c34-9c7c-09c7420ec18c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssetsAbstract_019e4791-123f-7cff-9ec9-050fb8a3f746" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123f-7e4c-86b3-9c40503a4282" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssetsAbstract_019e4791-123f-7cff-9ec9-050fb8a3f746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123f-7e4c-86b3-9c40503a4282" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019e4791-123f-749e-9ec6-6f38cf4641c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssetsAbstract_019e4791-123f-7cff-9ec9-050fb8a3f746" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019e4791-123f-749e-9ec6-6f38cf4641c3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilitiesAbstract_019e4791-123f-72a3-bec0-c62390b5601c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-7c34-9c7c-09c7420ec18c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilitiesAbstract_019e4791-123f-72a3-bec0-c62390b5601c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e4791-123f-7705-9015-417f2a9e2745" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilitiesAbstract_019e4791-123f-72a3-bec0-c62390b5601c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019e4791-123f-7705-9015-417f2a9e2745" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019e4791-123f-77b8-978e-406402a28150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilitiesAbstract_019e4791-123f-72a3-bec0-c62390b5601c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019e4791-123f-77b8-978e-406402a28150" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MultiTenantRetailDispositionMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-706d-a0a3-7b357a9bc6c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-71f8-8323-01288e598d97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-706d-a0a3-7b357a9bc6c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-79a0-b88c-2fa6bc8d5609" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-706d-a0a3-7b357a9bc6c6" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-79a0-b88c-2fa6bc8d5609" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7f8b-9226-433c073cc9aa" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-706d-a0a3-7b357a9bc6c6" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7f8b-9226-433c073cc9aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912_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_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7375-a70e-5daca7cdcc2f" 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_019e4791-123f-7d55-b53d-cea61bc9c912" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7375-a70e-5daca7cdcc2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7f3e-9aeb-2847bf4399ab" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7375-a70e-5daca7cdcc2f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7f3e-9aeb-2847bf4399ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7916-9c6d-828994dd031f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-729b-8293-189164004fab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7916-9c6d-828994dd031f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123f-72eb-af94-f3f1992d4d6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7916-9c6d-828994dd031f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-123f-72eb-af94-f3f1992d4d6a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-70e2-ad69-d473a098a0d4" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-79f5-8e57-7031c23e7baa" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-77da-90ba-b40b6ca9ac67" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-79f5-8e57-7031c23e7baa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember_019e4791-123f-7091-8d98-28deeeaf7e93" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MortgageTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-79f5-8e57-7031c23e7baa" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageFirstClosingMember_019e4791-123f-7091-8d98-28deeeaf7e93" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_019e4791-123f-72f0-b3d4-32964496dca0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_019e4791-123f-72f0-b3d4-32964496dca0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyOperating_019e4791-123f-72fa-9faa-fbed192fb23e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyOperating_019e4791-123f-72fa-9faa-fbed192fb23e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationImpairmentCharges_019e4791-123f-76f4-919e-62b3376a1f4b" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationImpairmentCharges_019e4791-123f-76f4-919e-62b3376a1f4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTransactionAndOtherCosts_019e4791-123f-7429-b446-44ffb81cf6b1" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTransactionAndOtherCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationTransactionAndOtherCosts_019e4791-123f-7429-b446-44ffb81cf6b1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e4791-123f-7c70-913c-ed1e29087a49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e4791-123f-7c70-913c-ed1e29087a49" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_019e4791-123f-7766-b912-ba3726cb0b5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDepreciationAndAmortization_019e4791-123f-7766-b912-ba3726cb0b5c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_019e4791-123f-70e2-aefb-47f00ffa0254" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingExpense_019e4791-123f-70e2-aefb-47f00ffa0254" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeBeforeLossGainOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-7d23-b61d-536efa8a2978" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeBeforeLossGainOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeBeforeLossGainOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-7d23-b61d-536efa8a2978" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-7fbf-84bc-60bc9d2931b8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDispositionsOfRealEstateInvestments_019e4791-123f-7fbf-84bc-60bc9d2931b8" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-123f-7386-a34a-d530ee8c01d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-123f-7386-a34a-d530ee8c01d4" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense_019e4791-123f-765d-a144-8ac0807bfe96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestExpense_019e4791-123f-765d-a144-8ac0807bfe96" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt_019e4791-123f-7aa4-a904-dcb700a3259e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLossOnExtinguishmentAndModificationOfDebt_019e4791-123f-7aa4-a904-dcb700a3259e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDerivativeInstruments_019e4791-123f-7d01-8eb8-73495581fb12" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDerivativeInstruments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDerivativeInstruments_019e4791-123f-7d01-8eb8-73495581fb12" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpense_019e4791-123f-7970-9384-b304eeb01da0" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpense_019e4791-123f-7970-9384-b304eeb01da0" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpenseNet_019e4791-123f-71f9-99b2-6e0477c1fcdc" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherIncomeExpenseNet_019e4791-123f-71f9-99b2-6e0477c1fcdc" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_019e4791-123f-7d29-879b-e34249b1294b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_019e4791-123f-7d29-879b-e34249b1294b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxExpenseBenefitFromProvisionForGainLossOnDisposal_019e4791-123f-723c-9bf5-63801c50e49f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxExpenseBenefitFromProvisionForGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxExpenseBenefitFromProvisionForGainLossOnDisposal_019e4791-123f-723c-9bf5-63801c50e49f" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019e4791-123f-7351-8fc3-a7d30d6750ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019e4791-123f-7351-8fc3-a7d30d6750ac" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123f-701b-9695-1b791a0b226c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-70ae-852e-c5890ee4259e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-123f-701b-9695-1b791a0b226c" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionCashFlowsRelatedtoMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MultiTenantRetailDispositionCashFlowsRelatedtoMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MultiTenantRetailDispositionCashFlowsRelatedtoMultiTenantRetailPortfolioDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7849-a204-6f99eae76946" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7849-a204-6f99eae76946" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7849-a204-6f99eae76946" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7b76-8bb2-f11555f45a61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-7d3c-8feb-1c07b90c3b17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7b76-8bb2-f11555f45a61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-7009-bf66-331a71fab022" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7b76-8bb2-f11555f45a61" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPortfolioMember_019e4791-123f-7009-bf66-331a71fab022" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e4791-123f-7a31-890d-56a243127c42" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_019e4791-123f-7a31-890d-56a243127c42" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019e4791-123f-7c42-86df-c275509251ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_019e4791-123f-7c42-86df-c275509251ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e4791-123f-72ab-a4bc-48d2af652ffa" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_019e4791-123f-72ab-a4bc-48d2af652ffa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfBelowMarketLease_019e4791-123f-7a89-a141-c1b27da92dd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfBelowMarketLease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfBelowMarketLease_019e4791-123f-7a89-a141-c1b27da92dd7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets_019e4791-123f-71db-b710-54f1f1f3c0f4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AmortizationofAboveMarketLeaseAssets_019e4791-123f-71db-b710-54f1f1f3c0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e4791-123f-78f2-9681-3a878198eb82" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StraightLineRent_019e4791-123f-78f2-9681-3a878198eb82" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NetGainLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123f-7637-a570-0606d1fb4f06" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NetGainLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NetGainLossOnMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123f-7637-a570-0606d1fb4f06" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-123f-7ee4-bd50-3d1d39e0db60" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-123f-7ee4-bd50-3d1d39e0db60" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123f-766f-b657-3bdfc2792488" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ProceedsFromMultiTenantDispositionReceivable_019e4791-123f-766f-b657-3bdfc2792488" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_019e4791-123f-7a8b-8334-281f707c46bb" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-784e-a98c-ab833264d305" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_019e4791-123f-7a8b-8334-281f707c46bb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#RealEstateInvestmentsNetNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7437-aa53-4c045ccd1d81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019e4791-123f-74b7-9951-f71292147fc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7437-aa53-4c045ccd1d81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_019e4791-123f-7547-80c8-428cde911137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7437-aa53-4c045ccd1d81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_019e4791-123f-7547-80c8-428cde911137" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe_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_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7b74-8dd2-06eddb13ff9f" 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_019e4791-123f-73d6-a9bc-6cf32fe945fe" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7b74-8dd2-06eddb13ff9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019e4791-123f-71a0-aa12-d545a2a0a4b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7b74-8dd2-06eddb13ff9f" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019e4791-123f-71a0-aa12-d545a2a0a4b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019efdcf-682f-7007-a204-de1f97b896c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7b74-8dd2-06eddb13ff9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019efdcf-682f-7007-a204-de1f97b896c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_GB_019e4791-123f-7b92-a471-d5169f558fab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_GB"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019efdcf-682f-7007-a204-de1f97b896c6" xlink:to="loc_country_GB_019e4791-123f-7b92-a471-d5169f558fab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7c68-b74f-843ea751671b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-123f-7258-abe0-701848a9537f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7c68-b74f-843ea751671b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019e4791-123f-74a5-9ed7-9791397d13d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-123f-7c68-b74f-843ea751671b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019e4791-123f-74a5-9ed7-9791397d13d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7576-a5e4-c146e089d4ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-7a4e-9bcb-83bb048a9c7a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7576-a5e4-c146e089d4ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7199-b003-c25c2596c243" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7576-a5e4-c146e089d4ff" xlink:to="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7199-b003-c25c2596c243" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7617-aa51-145c194e0e91" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7576-a5e4-c146e089d4ff" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantRetailPropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7617-aa51-145c194e0e91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OfficePropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7bf6-9ec5-be1915db4d00" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OfficePropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-7576-a5e4-c146e089d4ff" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OfficePropertiesMember_019e4791-123f-7bf6-9ec5-be1915db4d00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e4791-123f-7e2e-beb6-249ca27e63d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-72d9-bde5-81b2066e8414" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e4791-123f-76c5-ba94-bd56ae9788ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-72d9-bde5-81b2066e8414" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7a4f-98c2-e5a67249d12d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e4791-123f-72d9-bde5-81b2066e8414" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RCGMultiTenantRetailAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7a4f-98c2-e5a67249d12d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_019e4791-123f-786d-993c-b4687c4ad26b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_019e4791-123f-786d-993c-b4687c4ad26b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberOfPropertiesImpairmentCharges_019e4791-123f-7dd7-994e-f7f21a81c622" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberOfPropertiesImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberOfPropertiesImpairmentCharges_019e4791-123f-7dd7-994e-f7f21a81c622" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesHeldforSale_019e4791-123f-7593-897d-d3072561bc22" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesHeldforSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesHeldforSale_019e4791-123f-7593-897d-d3072561bc22" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold_019e4791-123f-77e4-8721-3a761c6e9224" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesSold_019e4791-123f-77e4-8721-3a761c6e9224" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e4791-123f-7caf-9ae6-7bc8e38bd4eb" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e4791-123f-7caf-9ae6-7bc8e38bd4eb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_GainLossOnBuyerDepositsAppliedToSaleOfRealEstate_019e4791-123f-7101-95a7-d4fb14349c43" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_GainLossOnBuyerDepositsAppliedToSaleOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e4791-123f-779a-b5d5-272f64d54893" xlink:to="loc_gnl_GainLossOnBuyerDepositsAppliedToSaleOfRealEstate_019e4791-123f-7101-95a7-d4fb14349c43" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetPropertiesClassifiedasHeldforSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#RealEstateInvestmentsNetPropertiesClassifiedasHeldforSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetPropertiesClassifiedasHeldforSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e4791-123f-7836-a5ee-8ded2afc1a4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e4791-123f-7836-a5ee-8ded2afc1a4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_019e4791-123f-7836-a5ee-8ded2afc1a4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleByAssetTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7ad6-b5c3-3fbf3e31f732" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_019e4791-123f-7c1b-be02-bc8e86346d29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_019e4791-123f-7c1b-be02-bc8e86346d29" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_019e4791-123f-7a3c-b3f9-2689778dbfe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_019e4791-123f-7a3c-b3f9-2689778dbfe9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_019e4791-123f-7cc2-af19-095b75fa2e30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_019e4791-123f-7cc2-af19-095b75fa2e30" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLeaseAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7f52-b80c-ca1cedd109ae" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLeaseAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongLivedAssetsHeldForSaleNameDomain_019e4791-123f-73f4-b905-993c0dcc9ca7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLeaseAssetsMember_019e4791-123f-7f52-b80c-ca1cedd109ae" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleAtCost_019e4791-123f-76e0-ab8f-b7f994154d6e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleAtCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleAtCost_019e4791-123f-76e0-ab8f-b7f994154d6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationRealEstateInvestmentHeldForSale_019e4791-123f-7633-ba6d-525ec1bb404f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationRealEstateInvestmentHeldForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationRealEstateInvestmentHeldForSale_019e4791-123f-7633-ba6d-525ec1bb404f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleNet_019e4791-123f-7c05-8169-49aca6b80cf8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleNet_019e4791-123f-7c05-8169-49aca6b80cf8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyPrepaidExpensesAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123f-7fb1-9568-80ad7be25a84" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyPrepaidExpensesAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyPrepaidExpensesAndOtherAssets_019e4791-123f-7fb1-9568-80ad7be25a84" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-123f-7f81-8ad5-a1dce38770d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-123f-7f81-8ad5-a1dce38770d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_019e4791-123f-72d3-a6c5-5811861b8b0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_019e4791-123f-72d3-a6c5-5811861b8b0e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedAmortization_019e4791-123f-7869-a346-18c4f4420e38" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedAmortization_019e4791-123f-7869-a346-18c4f4420e38" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleLiabilitiesNet_019e4791-123f-7654-867a-e5acd548945d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7635-abfd-b6ce6d64a98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyHeldForSaleLiabilitiesNet_019e4791-123f-7654-867a-e5acd548945d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersandLongLivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreasDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#RealEstateInvestmentsNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersandLongLivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreasDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RealEstateInvestmentsNetRevenuefromExternalCustomersandLongLivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreasDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsLineItems_019e4791-123f-79de-bd19-dbda7d94f7fc" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsTable_019e4791-123f-7e4d-bfa5-f17f3c99e5e7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsLineItems_019e4791-123f-79de-bd19-dbda7d94f7fc" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsTable_019e4791-123f-7e4d-bfa5-f17f3c99e5e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588" 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_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsTable_019e4791-123f-7e4d-bfa5-f17f3c99e5e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588_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_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7de5-af81-ef35a0e6e783" 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_019e4791-123f-7566-ae32-8e7761217588" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7de5-af81-ef35a0e6e783" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019e4791-123f-726a-b64d-7ba62fb90d63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7de5-af81-ef35a0e6e783" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019e4791-123f-726a-b64d-7ba62fb90d63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_MI_019e4791-123f-7646-9f0a-ae303118d0fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2026/stpr-2026.xsd#stpr_MI"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7de5-af81-ef35a0e6e783" xlink:to="loc_stpr_MI_019e4791-123f-7646-9f0a-ae303118d0fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_GB_019e4791-123f-7821-b66f-094b2aba95e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_GB"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-123f-7de5-af81-ef35a0e6e783" xlink:to="loc_country_GB_019e4791-123f-7821-b66f-094b2aba95e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage_019e4791-123f-7eae-94d6-21a4fe8fdf13" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestmentsLineItems_019e4791-123f-79de-bd19-dbda7d94f7fc" xlink:to="loc_gnl_EntityWideRevenueMajorStatePercentage_019e4791-123f-7eae-94d6-21a4fe8fdf13" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetLongtermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableNetLongtermDebtInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetLongtermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" 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_019e4791-123f-7e1c-b5aa-dbcb2c374859" 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_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-123f-7e1c-b5aa-dbcb2c374859" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930" 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_019e4791-123f-7e1c-b5aa-dbcb2c374859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930_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_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-73ff-956a-6f1d1e0144d0" 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_019e4791-123f-7023-8a8a-252d93bbb930" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-73ff-956a-6f1d1e0144d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-123f-7100-b302-437752835847" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-73ff-956a-6f1d1e0144d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-123f-7100-b302-437752835847" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgagesNetMember_019e4791-123f-731b-812e-a34867931f98" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgagesNetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-73ff-956a-6f1d1e0144d0" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgagesNetMember_019e4791-123f-731b-812e-a34867931f98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-123f-7e1c-b5aa-dbcb2c374859" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-773e-84aa-339f7f440e88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-123f-7541-a45c-3ac360c2115f" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-773e-84aa-339f7f440e88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-123f-7ecf-94c2-a8b5508072ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-773e-84aa-339f7f440e88" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-123f-7ecf-94c2-a8b5508072ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_USD_019e4791-123f-76c9-9e34-e9a9485a3f67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_USD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-123f-773e-84aa-339f7f440e88" xlink:to="loc_currency_USD_019e4791-123f-76c9-9e34-e9a9485a3f67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-123f-7e1c-b5aa-dbcb2c374859" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_019e4791-123f-752d-a101-1e75986f1cea" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_FinlandPropertyMember_019e4791-123f-7c58-8dbc-ced25564dc54" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_FinlandPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_FinlandPropertyMember_019e4791-123f-7c58-8dbc-ced25564dc54" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PenskeLogisticsMember_019e4791-123f-76ee-a410-0e5c851a2734" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PenskeLogisticsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PenskeLogisticsMember_019e4791-123f-76ee-a410-0e5c851a2734" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIMember_019e4791-123f-7f51-95a2-cf2176d31f02" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIMember_019e4791-123f-7f51-95a2-cf2176d31f02" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIMember_019e4791-123f-7c1e-84cc-9a24728e3f01" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIMember_019e4791-123f-7c1e-84cc-9a24728e3f01" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIIMember_019e4791-123f-759e-9f17-4ef454dbe3ac" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIIIMember_019e4791-123f-759e-9f17-4ef454dbe3ac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIVMember_019e4791-123f-7b94-b073-6974e6a81618" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanIVMember_019e4791-123f-7b94-b073-6974e6a81618" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanVMember_019e4791-123f-709c-b63e-62d3a1971bb7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanVMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.MultiTenantMortgageLoanVMember_019e4791-123f-709c-b63e-62d3a1971bb7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2019ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-77bc-b6cb-acfc5eaea7b4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2019ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2019ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-77bc-b6cb-acfc5eaea7b4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2019ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7607-810a-74817cafee42" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2019ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2019ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7607-810a-74817cafee42" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-75a7-a7a3-8516b269976f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2021ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA1NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-75a7-a7a3-8516b269976f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7458-b9d4-7765e7d87abb" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2021ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA2NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7458-b9d4-7765e7d87abb" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA3NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7cac-b9e8-fac16004d5b8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2021ClassA3NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA3NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-7cac-b9e8-fac16004d5b8" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA4NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-760e-bb84-6c6d2397e97e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2021ClassA4NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2021ClassA4NetLeaseMortgageNotesMember_019e4791-123f-760e-bb84-6c6d2397e97e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MortgageLoanIIIMember_019e4791-123f-7816-aed3-b4eb2cbd1884" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MortgageLoanIIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MortgageLoanIIIMember_019e4791-123f-7816-aed3-b4eb2cbd1884" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CMBSLoanIIMember_019e4791-123f-7b4d-b619-d0069d773d47" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CMBSLoanIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_019e4791-123f-763e-ad1b-d5404d87ece5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CMBSLoanIIMember_019e4791-123f-7b4d-b619-d0069d773d47" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesEncumbered_019e4791-123f-72ac-9706-96f1a4687511" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesEncumbered"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesEncumbered_019e4791-123f-72ac-9706-96f1a4687511" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-123f-7234-b587-a3300ab92d88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-123f-7234-b587-a3300ab92d88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e4791-123f-7507-bf11-1e181e77105b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e4791-123f-7507-bf11-1e181e77105b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_019e4791-123f-78b9-b031-a6827fbd326e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_019e4791-123f-78b9-b031-a6827fbd326e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e4791-123f-73c3-a5dc-7e3dfe9e843a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e4791-123f-73c3-a5dc-7e3dfe9e843a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e4791-123f-7d38-b34d-05ee7b297837" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e4791-123f-7d38-b34d-05ee7b297837" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_019e4791-123f-7dcb-9c83-055d3b04ae1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_019e4791-123f-7dcb-9c83-055d3b04ae1c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_019e4791-123f-7b13-bbec-17b3a891a9d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_019e4791-123f-7b13-bbec-17b3a891a9d7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e4791-123f-79cb-b68f-a3ce492b8109" 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_019e4791-123f-7234-88fa-2bc4314192a8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e4791-123f-79cb-b68f-a3ce492b8109" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetMaturitiesofLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableNetMaturitiesofLongtermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetMaturitiesofLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" 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_019e4791-123f-76df-9404-c77dc92d19bb" 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_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-123f-76df-9404-c77dc92d19bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489" 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_019e4791-123f-76df-9404-c77dc92d19bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489_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_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7cb5-bfa6-e77e2023ff9b" 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_019e4791-123f-7022-9959-d5ca025bf489" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7cb5-bfa6-e77e2023ff9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-123f-7be9-b348-6e442d3c1588" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-123f-7cb5-bfa6-e77e2023ff9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-123f-7be9-b348-6e442d3c1588" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear_019e4791-123f-7b57-8002-d7537fdab6b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear_019e4791-123f-7b57-8002-d7537fdab6b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_019e4791-123f-7474-aceb-a834c0d5cd76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_019e4791-123f-7474-aceb-a834c0d5cd76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_019e4791-123f-7091-a5cd-2659e8a6d1d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_019e4791-123f-7091-a5cd-2659e8a6d1d9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_019e4791-123f-7b77-9e7b-5cb4ab7a8a9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_019e4791-123f-7b77-9e7b-5cb4ab7a8a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_019e4791-123f-726d-91cb-e522da14ee44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_019e4791-123f-726d-91cb-e522da14ee44" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour_019e4791-123f-79f4-9134-1d897fd1ff43" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour_019e4791-123f-79f4-9134-1d897fd1ff43" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-123f-7edc-a09c-247696c5218a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-123f-7edc-a09c-247696c5218a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e4791-123f-7e3f-8833-ec08052cfae1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-7506-b2c3-f5e003796f51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e4791-123f-7e3f-8833-ec08052cfae1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableNetNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-77a0-baad-b5c1c07684b9" 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_019e4791-123f-7992-b5e3-f1a4934b1a29" 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_019e4791-123f-77a0-baad-b5c1c07684b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-123f-7992-b5e3-f1a4934b1a29" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81" 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_019e4791-123f-7992-b5e3-f1a4934b1a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81_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_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-123f-73d7-9114-a55b8036b93b" 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_019e4791-123f-7d2f-8e11-a5f57278aa81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-123f-73d7-9114-a55b8036b93b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e4791-123f-7646-b629-01a35b27f295" 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_019e4791-123f-73d7-9114-a55b8036b93b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e4791-123f-7646-b629-01a35b27f295" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationUnencumberedAssets_019e4791-123f-702a-966d-d031de8df92c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationUnencumberedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-123f-77a0-baad-b5c1c07684b9" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationUnencumberedAssets_019e4791-123f-702a-966d-d031de8df92c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacilityOutstandingBalanceUnderCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#RevolvingCreditFacilityOutstandingBalanceUnderCreditAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacilityOutstandingBalanceUnderCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b71-9024-225f8a31fc39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-732c-8c0d-9ac38428bf22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b71-9024-225f8a31fc39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember_019e4791-12fe-7104-91fe-28bdbbced930" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b71-9024-225f8a31fc39" xlink:to="loc_gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember_019e4791-12fe-7104-91fe-28bdbbced930" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980_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_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e33-97c3-b0d3f33fe516" 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_019e4791-12fe-7397-9bf6-71252cf52980" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e33-97c3-b0d3f33fe516" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7838-8650-e97bca9a34ed" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e33-97c3-b0d3f33fe516" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7838-8650-e97bca9a34ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e_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_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-b2de-d82c722c70a5" 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_019e4791-12fe-7a6b-99bb-5cfa34658f0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-b2de-d82c722c70a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e4791-12fe-776c-9661-a7fa7172891a" 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_019e4791-12fe-77ed-b2de-d82c722c70a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e4791-12fe-776c-9661-a7fa7172891a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd_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_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f24-9716-bb10594e4e36" 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_019e4791-12fe-75dc-a85c-42453afeeedd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f24-9716-bb10594e4e36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7f7a-8b1b-5e10e0cf6def" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f24-9716-bb10594e4e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7f7a-8b1b-5e10e0cf6def" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-7aea-9144-5bd88dfe7508" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-735b-9b37-d6ec6a6bf165" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_USD_019e4791-12fe-7df8-8e85-06b43daffad9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_USD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:to="loc_currency_USD_019e4791-12fe-7df8-8e85-06b43daffad9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-7e7a-97b4-0fd5f4ee8b88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_GBP"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:to="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-7e7a-97b4-0fd5f4ee8b88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-77d0-a359-2624b0dbd4b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-77d0-a359-2624b0dbd4b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_CAD_019e4791-12fe-7e9b-ad31-c704d510a405" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_CAD"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a70-b042-1e8ec05e6a0d" xlink:to="loc_currency_CAD_019e4791-12fe-7e9b-ad31-c704d510a405" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e4791-12fe-7d24-8b47-b7debb764d27" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_019e4791-12fe-7d24-8b47-b7debb764d27" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e4791-12fe-79b4-9047-72fe0335b785" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_019e4791-12fe-79b4-9047-72fe0335b785" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7fb1-b277-cf7b2b28aedc" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7fb1-b277-cf7b2b28aedc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e4791-12fe-792c-9060-50e392090431" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7dfa-9115-fe65abda7fdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e4791-12fe-792c-9060-50e392090431" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#RevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/RevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df_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_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ca-bd10-d4c53e7855ab" 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_019e4791-12fe-75d7-9ef6-1c7fae0209df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ca-bd10-d4c53e7855ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7d88-9121-0994075ef36a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ca-bd10-d4c53e7855ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7d88-9121-0994075ef36a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_U.S.DollarLoansMember_019e4791-12fe-73de-8148-8b9dca75b801" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_U.S.DollarLoansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ca-bd10-d4c53e7855ab" xlink:to="loc_gnl_U.S.DollarLoansMember_019e4791-12fe-73de-8148-8b9dca75b801" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019e4791-12fe-755d-a9f0-4ec5a5191052" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ca-bd10-d4c53e7855ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019e4791-12fe-755d-a9f0-4ec5a5191052" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599_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_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b43-af44-098bebf18882" 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_019e4791-12fe-74ae-8d1c-bc08c11c1599" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b43-af44-098bebf18882" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_August2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7d4a-a88c-4401d94c0b08" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_August2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b43-af44-098bebf18882" xlink:to="loc_gnl_August2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7d4a-a88c-4401d94c0b08" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7eac-894f-ac1a44a0eff5" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b43-af44-098bebf18882" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorUnsecuredMultiCurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7eac-894f-ac1a44a0eff5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b0-aac8-a9a56aa3cbe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis_019e4791-12fe-71fa-9dec-45a81a7c40ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b0-aac8-a9a56aa3cbe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BMOMember_019e4791-12fe-7dc9-bfd2-6af0f2067b15" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BMOMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b0-aac8-a9a56aa3cbe0" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BMOMember_019e4791-12fe-7dc9-bfd2-6af0f2067b15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember_019e4791-12fe-73bf-b129-2378236e9602" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b0-aac8-a9a56aa3cbe0" xlink:to="loc_gnl_KeyBankNationalAssociationMember_019e4791-12fe-73bf-b129-2378236e9602" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f_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_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7877-beec-ae7bef5d0a4d" 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_019e4791-12fe-7162-bc95-531c0e9b2a8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7877-beec-ae7bef5d0a4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e4791-12fe-7ef4-a54e-fc5c2167c59c" 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_019e4791-12fe-7877-beec-ae7bef5d0a4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e4791-12fe-7ef4-a54e-fc5c2167c59c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e4791-12fe-7f53-9077-8a8f8732d2cf" 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_019e4791-12fe-7877-beec-ae7bef5d0a4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e4791-12fe-7f53-9077-8a8f8732d2cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30_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_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12fe-70c9-a4fe-77c4971d0737" 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_019e4791-12fe-788f-9f1e-44d0528f4c30" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12fe-70c9-a4fe-77c4971d0737" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12fe-7a88-af79-a85987c57749" 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_019e4791-12fe-70c9-a4fe-77c4971d0737" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12fe-7a88-af79-a85987c57749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12fe-7a54-83bf-9e341fe651ca" 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_019e4791-12fe-70c9-a4fe-77c4971d0737" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12fe-7a54-83bf-9e341fe651ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-79db-8db2-ea0d634113ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019e4791-12fe-72f9-bd0a-8fad8f8b6813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-79db-8db2-ea0d634113ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_019e4791-12fe-7131-8dc7-cd8aa0470fb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-79db-8db2-ea0d634113ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_019e4791-12fe-7131-8dc7-cd8aa0470fb3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019e4791-12fe-7e6e-a266-a948fb408c10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-79db-8db2-ea0d634113ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019e4791-12fe-7e6e-a266-a948fb408c10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_FloorBenchmarkRateMember_019e4791-12fe-788f-9ec5-6b08513aed75" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_FloorBenchmarkRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019e4791-12fe-79db-8db2-ea0d634113ae" xlink:to="loc_gnl_FloorBenchmarkRateMember_019e4791-12fe-788f-9ec5-6b08513aed75" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionAxis_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionAxis_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionAxis_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c90-bf1e-81cd842bb107" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionAxis_019e4791-12fe-7817-a54f-76c2fea3556c" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c90-bf1e-81cd842bb107" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_BelowThresholdMember_019e4791-12fe-75f3-a5ff-356ec1493524" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_BelowThresholdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c90-bf1e-81cd842bb107" xlink:to="loc_gnl_BelowThresholdMember_019e4791-12fe-75f3-a5ff-356ec1493524" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AboveThresholdMember_019e4791-12fe-7419-9643-390ff5726941" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AboveThresholdMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_MutuallyExclusiveOptionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c90-bf1e-81cd842bb107" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AboveThresholdMember_019e4791-12fe-7419-9643-390ff5726941" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f5-8696-a5e1b4af6a52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70bc-b3f2-9e90b72caec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f5-8696-a5e1b4af6a52" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-72d2-b640-f5532e36fcf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f5-8696-a5e1b4af6a52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-72d2-b640-f5532e36fcf7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7a1d-9580-f5a07d281d5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f5-8696-a5e1b4af6a52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7a1d-9580-f5a07d281d5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_019e4791-12fe-734a-ad57-5f88c6092eca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e_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_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7abd-92ab-5b174e080588" 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_019e4791-12fe-7a3d-9cdc-bdad703e1e5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7abd-92ab-5b174e080588" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-12fe-751f-83f3-4c6937d0f6f5" 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_019e4791-12fe-7abd-92ab-5b174e080588" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-12fe-751f-83f3-4c6937d0f6f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e4791-12fe-7b5e-a4e5-71e728a9ea58" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e4791-12fe-7b5e-a4e5-71e728a9ea58" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption_019e4791-12fe-7c88-96a1-cdda52cb55c1" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption_019e4791-12fe-7c88-96a1-cdda52cb55c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOfFutureBorrowingsDenominatedInForeignCurrenciesBaseAmountAddedToTotalRevolvingCommitments_019e4791-12fe-7f18-a320-17c8e99a3d38" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOfFutureBorrowingsDenominatedInForeignCurrenciesBaseAmountAddedToTotalRevolvingCommitments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumAmountOfFutureBorrowingsDenominatedInForeignCurrenciesBaseAmountAddedToTotalRevolvingCommitments_019e4791-12fe-7f18-a320-17c8e99a3d38" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e4791-12fe-70d6-abe4-fb535baac613" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e4791-12fe-70d6-abe4-fb535baac613" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e4791-12fe-7810-a902-b34f29703a91" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019e4791-12fe-7810-a902-b34f29703a91" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_019e4791-12fe-71c2-bdcb-40d81842556f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_019e4791-12fe-71c2-bdcb-40d81842556f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentageThresholdUnusedCapacityAsPercentageOfCurrentCapacity_019e4791-12fe-7903-aa72-a0f2506fa2e9" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentageThresholdUnusedCapacityAsPercentageOfCurrentCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentageThresholdUnusedCapacityAsPercentageOfCurrentCapacity_019e4791-12fe-7903-aa72-a0f2506fa2e9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LineofCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityFacilityFeeMultiplier_019e4791-12fe-7373-b8d1-a5521c4fa3ef" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LineofCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityFacilityFeeMultiplier"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LineofCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityFacilityFeeMultiplier_019e4791-12fe-7373-b8d1-a5521c4fa3ef" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e4791-12fe-77a0-8ee9-0fb218f14a14" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_019e4791-12fe-77a0-8ee9-0fb218f14a14" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e4791-12fe-73bb-ab64-a8a49034806f" 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_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e4791-12fe-73bb-ab64-a8a49034806f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-12fe-770d-986f-6be34ad4cb11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-12fe-770d-986f-6be34ad4cb11" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-12fe-73e2-85f1-1cba23c58045" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e4791-12fe-73e2-85f1-1cba23c58045" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionPercentageofFFO_019e4791-12fe-7475-95fb-071044b39383" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionPercentageofFFO"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionPercentageofFFO_019e4791-12fe-7475-95fb-071044b39383" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionUnderExemptionPercentageOfAFFO_019e4791-12fe-7499-8f1c-4b6efb903883" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionUnderExemptionPercentageOfAFFO"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7f41-8e2c-9c68b7532d14" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DebtInstrumentMaximumDistributionUnderExemptionPercentageOfAFFO_019e4791-12fe-7499-8f1c-4b6efb903883" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SeniorNotesNetSeniorNotesNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SeniorNotesNetSeniorNotesNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SeniorNotesNetSeniorNotesNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" 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_019e4791-12fe-7e79-a263-d9be5893184b" 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_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-12fe-7e79-a263-d9be5893184b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b" 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_019e4791-12fe-7e79-a263-d9be5893184b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b_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_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7d6c-a163-0a3aa14e66d9" 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_019e4791-12fe-799c-a695-c620637bc62b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7d6c-a163-0a3aa14e66d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-73ae-a4f8-36f6b3c62318" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7d6c-a163-0a3aa14e66d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-73ae-a4f8-36f6b3c62318" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105" 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_019e4791-12fe-7e79-a263-d9be5893184b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105_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_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f79-98f2-1bd1b5c36c11" 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_019e4791-12fe-757d-9a17-16686be0a105" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f79-98f2-1bd1b5c36c11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-74bb-b42b-1a3889a1e22e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f79-98f2-1bd1b5c36c11" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-74bb-b42b-1a3889a1e22e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-780c-b7ff-fecf5f71011b" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f79-98f2-1bd1b5c36c11" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-780c-b7ff-fecf5f71011b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7ad9-9c4e-3ee02f179380" 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_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7ad9-9c4e-3ee02f179380" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-12fe-79b4-8d2e-dee1a668cb8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e4791-12fe-79b4-8d2e-dee1a668cb8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e4791-12fe-7654-9b0b-68a2120223bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e4791-12fe-7654-9b0b-68a2120223bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_019e4791-12fe-749c-bc6a-e990835b98de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_019e4791-12fe-749c-bc6a-e990835b98de" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e4791-12fe-775f-9082-9eb40b009fa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-78ac-9502-fb165f127773" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e4791-12fe-775f-9082-9eb40b009fa4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SeniorNotesNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SeniorNotesNetNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SeniorNotesNetNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7247-bb46-a67b90d3a9d7" 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_019e4791-12fe-7459-9953-5f5e30c377d9" 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_019e4791-12fe-7247-bb46-a67b90d3a9d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e4791-12fe-7459-9953-5f5e30c377d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851" 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_019e4791-12fe-7459-9953-5f5e30c377d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851_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_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-71d1-a645-5fa48a6aa9f0" 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_019e4791-12fe-7f9a-bbb3-08ec3183a851" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-71d1-a645-5fa48a6aa9f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-70af-9c7a-51c0db91dc2b" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-71d1-a645-5fa48a6aa9f0" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-70af-9c7a-51c0db91dc2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-7ddb-9acf-c558942448a8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-71d1-a645-5fa48a6aa9f0" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-7ddb-9acf-c558942448a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e" 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_019e4791-12fe-7459-9953-5f5e30c377d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e_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_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7ce9-ab66-ae5d57a78b6f" 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_019e4791-12fe-7666-9e55-ef1a91540b1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7ce9-ab66-ae5d57a78b6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-73e6-ad63-2a3f95e4cfa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7ce9-ab66-ae5d57a78b6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-73e6-ad63-2a3f95e4cfa6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7648-b22f-6f3d6c6d6466" 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_019e4791-12fe-7247-bb46-a67b90d3a9d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7648-b22f-6f3d6c6d6466" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e4791-12fe-75cf-a50a-a4bf3730c1c7" 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_019e4791-12fe-7247-bb46-a67b90d3a9d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019e4791-12fe-75cf-a50a-a4bf3730c1c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7af5-b9e6-841cba8a43d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e4791-12fe-7c10-884f-e0927950770b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7af5-b9e6-841cba8a43d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e4791-12fe-7c10-884f-e0927950770b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e4791-12fe-7c10-884f-e0927950770b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-791a-8e30-7cb1e3588804" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-758e-9ca9-09ec6980519a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-791a-8e30-7cb1e3588804" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e4791-12fe-7d04-97f1-4a09141f69ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-791a-8e30-7cb1e3588804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e4791-12fe-7d04-97f1-4a09141f69ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e4791-12fe-7c10-884f-e0927950770b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-a5b3-4433534f2fad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-7844-9685-749fd69a36d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-a5b3-4433534f2fad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e4791-12fe-757e-ace4-27ee3d49ff86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-a5b3-4433534f2fad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e4791-12fe-757e-ace4-27ee3d49ff86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e4791-12fe-70fb-9ba5-39a32b66f147" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-a5b3-4433534f2fad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e4791-12fe-70fb-9ba5-39a32b66f147" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-7195-abf3-9b0630e97b53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ed-a5b3-4433534f2fad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-7195-abf3-9b0630e97b53" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e4791-12fe-7c10-884f-e0927950770b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc_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_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c2f-ac02-b34d42d6319f" 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_019e4791-12fe-752c-96eb-ec3966b09dbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c2f-ac02-b34d42d6319f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-7b87-a553-025bbebb4628" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c2f-ac02-b34d42d6319f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-7b87-a553-025bbebb4628" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7935-a6ae-f596419a9eff" 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_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c2f-ac02-b34d42d6319f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7935-a6ae-f596419a9eff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e4791-12fe-760c-9521-b1be54816aec" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7af5-b9e6-841cba8a43d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e4791-12fe-760c-9521-b1be54816aec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-12fe-753a-968d-656f11cba8b4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7af5-b9e6-841cba8a43d6" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-12fe-753a-968d-656f11cba8b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e4791-12fe-77bb-9365-b727b317ed14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e4791-12fe-7d7b-84a2-410140ea3470" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e4791-12fe-77bb-9365-b727b317ed14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e4791-12fe-7d7b-84a2-410140ea3470" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e4791-12fe-7d7b-84a2-410140ea3470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e27-92d3-8853a88efad6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77a6-92b3-bd1b59fb9e45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e27-92d3-8853a88efad6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-7e81-872e-63235fb7f72c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e27-92d3-8853a88efad6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-7e81-872e-63235fb7f72c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019e4791-12fe-7d7b-84a2-410140ea3470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7be9-9857-0529efba469d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7868-b476-1c2a49760d36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7be9-9857-0529efba469d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e4791-12fe-77e0-aac5-db602845a356" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7be9-9857-0529efba469d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e4791-12fe-77e0-aac5-db602845a356" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019e4791-12fe-77bb-9365-b727b317ed14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e4791-12fe-78a3-9de4-c1a4f8086966" 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_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e4791-12fe-78a3-9de4-c1a4f8086966" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageFirstClosing_019e4791-12fe-7ab4-b399-3017f2ac1346" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageFirstClosing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageFirstClosing_019e4791-12fe-7ab4-b399-3017f2ac1346" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageSecondClosing_019e4791-12fe-732d-b46b-ee6b6a14bd20" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageSecondClosing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageSecondClosing_019e4791-12fe-732d-b46b-ee6b6a14bd20" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageThirdClosing_019e4791-12fe-7695-bdb3-64c88cd4560d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageThirdClosing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_FairValueMeasurementNetReceivableMortgageThirdClosing_019e4791-12fe-7695-bdb3-64c88cd4560d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_019e4791-12fe-7efd-9a28-1a8942bb95da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments_019e4791-12fe-7efd-9a28-1a8942bb95da" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLeasePayments_019e4791-12fe-74a0-a3ef-ccd490464e58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLeasePayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLeasePayments_019e4791-12fe-74a0-a3ef-ccd490464e58" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_019e4791-12fe-7ec1-8381-3ccaae30b954" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward_019efdd3-4c6b-7666-beaa-cead0488034a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses_019e4791-12fe-7ec1-8381-3ccaae30b954" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_019e4791-12fe-7cb6-a730-585e0b329d13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7b77-8713-bc361f2b475e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7b77-8713-bc361f2b475e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c6e-9d5f-4c5576b4d6b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e4791-12fe-77ae-8767-2eae40adab50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c6e-9d5f-4c5576b4d6b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-784f-a95d-002ea2bb6989" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c6e-9d5f-4c5576b4d6b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e4791-12fe-784f-a95d-002ea2bb6989" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e01-902d-ab58ad55cc59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019e4791-12fe-787d-bddc-98b4954a9011" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e01-902d-ab58ad55cc59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7b20-bc54-8b2a135caeaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e01-902d-ab58ad55cc59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7b20-bc54-8b2a135caeaa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7561-8941-1d5b57d8ec4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7b20-bc54-8b2a135caeaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7561-8941-1d5b57d8ec4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7143-9d13-5319e533a1af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7b20-bc54-8b2a135caeaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019e4791-12fe-7143-9d13-5319e533a1af" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4" 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_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4_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_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-780f-8e6f-b11aedc054fc" 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_019e4791-12fe-73d1-ad4f-9b5aafcc6bb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-780f-8e6f-b11aedc054fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-12fe-7938-94c9-03eee7b751db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-780f-8e6f-b11aedc054fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_019e4791-12fe-7938-94c9-03eee7b751db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7581-abe1-26ef19a7c922" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-780f-8e6f-b11aedc054fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019e4791-12fe-7581-abe1-26ef19a7c922" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-7113-a4be-32a256d9647b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-780f-8e6f-b11aedc054fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e4791-12fe-7113-a4be-32a256d9647b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82" 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_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_019e4791-12fe-7c7c-a3af-dceb2c8b53dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82_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_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7368-b40e-c9e45317fec8" 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_019e4791-12fe-7b28-b64e-ea0bc5e47a82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7368-b40e-c9e45317fec8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-70d6-b005-8516dd5b5dd9" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7368-b40e-c9e45317fec8" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes375PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-70d6-b005-8516dd5b5dd9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-722e-8468-ed7a8f033291" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7368-b40e-c9e45317fec8" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SeniorNotes450PercentMember_019e4791-12fe-722e-8468-ed7a8f033291" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e4791-12fe-70f3-904c-bde4f1c933be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7b77-8713-bc361f2b475e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019e4791-12fe-70f3-904c-bde4f1c933be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7a0e-8818-2d239b9b96b5" 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_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7b77-8713-bc361f2b475e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e4791-12fe-7a0e-8818-2d239b9b96b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsinStatementofFinancialPositionsFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsinStatementofFinancialPositionsFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsinStatementofFinancialPositionsFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7714-95fd-c501ba4fc65f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7714-95fd-c501ba4fc65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc" 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_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc_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_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7188-b87f-cf8e22d6b79d" 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_019e4791-12fe-7e39-8a11-042083d8a1fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7188-b87f-cf8e22d6b79d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7b71-af6d-3afe0c94aba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7188-b87f-cf8e22d6b79d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7b71-af6d-3afe0c94aba9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-77b4-979e-076c16a2dc90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7523-a046-0acb4bfc4a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-77b4-979e-076c16a2dc90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019e4791-12fe-7adf-beea-fb5dfd742108" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-77b4-979e-076c16a2dc90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019e4791-12fe-7adf-beea-fb5dfd742108" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-7b56-89ce-1c6453e8d387" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-77b4-979e-076c16a2dc90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-7b56-89ce-1c6453e8d387" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-73ce-a830-626f10ca1a4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f5c-adc2-15498276ce8c" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-73ce-a830-626f10ca1a4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-7e40-9117-d4cf18397a74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-73ce-a830-626f10ca1a4a" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-7e40-9117-d4cf18397a74" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-721c-9155-0d4c83e0cabb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_GBP"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-73ce-a830-626f10ca1a4a" xlink:to="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-721c-9155-0d4c83e0cabb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019e4791-12fe-7842-9ed3-1f523dffde8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a2b-b7ac-11266f29ce30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-76e2-aa7f-be5e24c5435e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a2b-b7ac-11266f29ce30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7254-b79b-d8b770d6e728" 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_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a2b-b7ac-11266f29ce30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7254-b79b-d8b770d6e728" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-75df-a83e-a43ab5812a8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a2b-b7ac-11266f29ce30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-75df-a83e-a43ab5812a8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_019e4791-12fe-78ca-b4e4-45694ef536f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7714-95fd-c501ba4fc65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_019e4791-12fe-78ca-b4e4-45694ef536f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_019e4791-12fe-75a3-ac99-fdf69df27b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7714-95fd-c501ba4fc65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_019e4791-12fe-75a3-ac99-fdf69df27b44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativesAtFairValueNet_019e4791-12fe-7994-8746-0fb5ad01e6db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7714-95fd-c501ba4fc65f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativesAtFairValueNet_019e4791-12fe-7994-8746-0fb5ad01e6db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" 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_019e4791-12fe-7941-a41f-a513e64be287" 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_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7941-a41f-a513e64be287" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7941-a41f-a513e64be287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b9-b856-5350e1f28e59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-78bb-a1c5-12720c8fe898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b9-b856-5350e1f28e59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-77d6-8632-cd353c41b133" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-74b9-b856-5350e1f28e59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-77d6-8632-cd353c41b133" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_019e4791-12fe-7442-99c2-da1abf36ff8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_019e4791-12fe-7442-99c2-da1abf36ff8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossOnDiscontinuationOfCashFlowHedgeDueToForecastedTransactionProbableOfNotOccurring_019e4791-12fe-771a-a4dc-5a95fdc1a626" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossOnDiscontinuationOfCashFlowHedgeDueToForecastedTransactionProbableOfNotOccurring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossOnDiscontinuationOfCashFlowHedgeDueToForecastedTransactionProbableOfNotOccurring_019e4791-12fe-771a-a4dc-5a95fdc1a626" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetInvestmentHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax_019e4791-12fe-7470-861e-9306bda2e81b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetInvestmentHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetInvestmentHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAndTax_019e4791-12fe-7470-861e-9306bda2e81b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e4791-12fe-7653-a857-b9ea0f0e4d49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7829-8b96-162c36e77e68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e4791-12fe-7653-a857-b9ea0f0e4d49" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesInterestRateDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesInterestRateDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesInterestRateDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7fc4-a3fa-2624b9f497b1" 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_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" 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_019e4791-12fe-7fc4-a3fa-2624b9f497b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-75ce-8716-13288bf6240d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7bce-8b22-5cfe3c5f40ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-75ce-8716-13288bf6240d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019e4791-12fe-7fed-8edb-2bf59cd5772c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-75ce-8716-13288bf6240d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019e4791-12fe-7fed-8edb-2bf59cd5772c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c26-9b9c-b213265a1dee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7a98-a349-2b30ac3dd131" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c26-9b9c-b213265a1dee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_019e4791-12fe-776d-a070-7118ce9f3097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c26-9b9c-b213265a1dee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_019e4791-12fe-776d-a070-7118ce9f3097" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0" 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_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0_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_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c38-9c15-f87157a04178" 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_019e4791-12fe-7d85-8937-06463d41ada0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c38-9c15-f87157a04178" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7cb6-a2c1-b32bb6fb5dfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c38-9c15-f87157a04178" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7cb6-a2c1-b32bb6fb5dfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7b05-95e4-9bb5ba1bd2bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ad-bbb4-ab4c98730491" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-72a8-9d9f-048dc289a994" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ad-bbb4-ab4c98730491" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-760d-be90-915637e5c344" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-70ad-bbb4-ab4c98730491" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-760d-be90-915637e5c344" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld_019e4791-12fe-752a-945c-1761c4feb697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7fc4-a3fa-2624b9f497b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfInterestRateDerivativesHeld_019e4791-12fe-752a-945c-1761c4feb697" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e4791-12fe-70cb-b10e-375cb2c934b3" 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_019e4791-12fe-7fc4-a3fa-2624b9f497b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e4791-12fe-70cb-b10e-375cb2c934b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" 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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a_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_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" 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_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7892-a2ce-b47a8df1ab89" 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_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7892-a2ce-b47a8df1ab89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019e4791-12fe-74de-93ba-b04162edee99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019e4791-12fe-74de-93ba-b04162edee99" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019e4791-12fe-721a-834c-7c033b9d9f61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019e4791-12fe-721a-834c-7c033b9d9f61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019e4791-12fe-7760-97d2-3ed9935b7556" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019e4791-12fe-7760-97d2-3ed9935b7556" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12fe-729b-b761-3eef8894786e" 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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12fe-729b-b761-3eef8894786e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossinStatementofFinancialPerformanceDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" 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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_019e4791-12fe-726c-b1d8-2f85bb94185f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a_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_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" 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_019e4791-12fe-7f8d-9d22-7448d5aea47a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7892-a2ce-b47a8df1ab89" 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_019e4791-12fe-7216-ae5a-af457df8c0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e4791-12fe-7892-a2ce-b47a8df1ab89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019e4791-12fe-721a-834c-7c033b9d9f61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019e4791-12fe-721a-834c-7c033b9d9f61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019e4791-12fe-7760-97d2-3ed9935b7556" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019e4791-12fe-7760-97d2-3ed9935b7556" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12fe-729b-b761-3eef8894786e" 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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7ab6-b1d8-cb305c93cb1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12fe-729b-b761-3eef8894786e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesForeignCrossCurrencyDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesForeignCrossCurrencyDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesForeignCrossCurrencyDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-740d-9557-7799088f6a0a" 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_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" 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_019e4791-12fe-740d-9557-7799088f6a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7141-a075-a4c2bf6a2ead" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_019e4791-12fe-7c5c-adb8-4df4d38d5e88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7141-a075-a4c2bf6a2ead" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-7dd1-a4e6-775908227d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_019e4791-12fe-7141-a075-a4c2bf6a2ead" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-7dd1-a4e6-775908227d62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c80-9e2d-cc324c961136" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019e4791-12fe-7642-a742-82ad3add8688" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c80-9e2d-cc324c961136" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-789f-9b53-2a7c38d603cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019e4791-12fe-7c80-9e2d-cc324c961136" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019e4791-12fe-789f-9b53-2a7c38d603cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72d1-966e-9699f3ac1f3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_019e4791-12fe-7406-a6d9-6e5fb300d440" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72d1-966e-9699f3ac1f3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-7c2c-ab99-0b908c3668a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_GBP"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72d1-966e-9699f3ac1f3c" xlink:to="loc_currency_GBP_019e4791-12fe-7c2c-ab99-0b908c3668a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-7668-8099-697eb5ed8c6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_019e4791-12fe-72d1-966e-9699f3ac1f3c" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_019e4791-12fe-7668-8099-697eb5ed8c6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119" 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_019e4791-12fe-7f59-b04f-eaa2380a7626" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119_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_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f9-bbf0-7417cf57c9d2" 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_019e4791-12fe-76eb-aa0e-97d474dba119" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f9-bbf0-7417cf57c9d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-733b-8b24-a4b4d8dc218e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e4791-12fe-75f9-bbf0-7417cf57c9d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember_019e4791-12fe-733b-8b24-a4b4d8dc218e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfForeignCurrencyDerivativesHeld_019e4791-12fe-7d01-b9c7-b68aafcb58a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfForeignCurrencyDerivativesHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019e4791-12fe-740d-9557-7799088f6a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfForeignCurrencyDerivativesHeld_019e4791-12fe-7d01-b9c7-b68aafcb58a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e4791-12fe-7a8a-a3e5-dc210a1dc455" 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_019e4791-12fe-740d-9557-7799088f6a0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019e4791-12fe-7a8a-a3e5-dc210a1dc455" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityCommonStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#StockholdersEquityCommonStockNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityCommonStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc_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_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a5f-b94b-546e102a3318" 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_019e4791-12fe-7336-a592-79d078e811fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a5f-b94b-546e102a3318" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-12fe-7105-bf30-596c4d72ddd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e4791-12fe-7a5f-b94b-546e102a3318" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019e4791-12fe-7105-bf30-596c4d72ddd0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7be4-beac-9abe0488fecc" 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_ParentMember_019e4791-12fe-7105-bf30-596c4d72ddd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7be4-beac-9abe0488fecc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302_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_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7057-bcd3-fba3e59eee3e" 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_019e4791-12fe-7daf-abd5-5c5ef6eec302" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7057-bcd3-fba3e59eee3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AgentMember_019e4791-12fe-7d6d-b102-975ba2462271" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AgentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e4791-12fe-7057-bcd3-fba3e59eee3e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AgentMember_019e4791-12fe-7d6d-b102-975ba2462271" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e9a-90b4-c8c3efce0732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-73fd-9e1c-c8aa2adbabee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e9a-90b4-c8c3efce0732" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AttheMarketProgramMember_019e4791-12fe-75d3-a1ce-df67f60385b1" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AttheMarketProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019e4791-12fe-7e9a-90b4-c8c3efce0732" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AttheMarketProgramMember_019e4791-12fe-75d3-a1ce-df67f60385b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e_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_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7fed-a1d2-22ec44c74c41" 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_019e4791-12fe-73bd-8e36-4c31928f779e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12fe-7fed-a1d2-22ec44c74c41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e4791-12fe-7285-88e3-e076c524d47b" 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_019e4791-12fe-7fed-a1d2-22ec44c74c41" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019e4791-12fe-7285-88e3-e076c524d47b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-7e73-a6a5-666ba5fe7175" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fb49a-b659-71ec-b423-df0c5e96279e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fb49a-b659-71e5-a54b-27a8d398799a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fb49a-b659-71ec-b423-df0c5e96279e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e4791-12fe-7aa1-be71-b072b46f8b70" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e4791-12fe-7aa1-be71-b072b46f8b70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-12fe-7376-8bda-eb6ef7a78bf0" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-12fe-7376-8bda-eb6ef7a78bf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e4791-12fe-746c-99a5-806c3579c3e9" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e4791-12fe-746c-99a5-806c3579c3e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e4791-12fe-78b4-b7de-b9d1a5730125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_019e4791-12fe-78b4-b7de-b9d1a5730125" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e4791-12fe-7405-9d79-376c11e3d4f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_019e4791-12fe-7405-9d79-376c11e3d4f0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CommonStockValueSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12fe-7d8a-99fb-73bd81f640f4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CommonStockValueSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CommonStockValueSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12fe-7d8a-99fb-73bd81f640f4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_019e4791-12fe-7f66-a18e-f19712f69f43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-733c-8b28-8fbb3fdca98f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_019e4791-12fe-7f66-a18e-f19712f69f43" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityPreferredStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#StockholdersEquityPreferredStockNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityPreferredStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7474-b5b8-eb5c2c8d023b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-76db-a2ca-eadac465f95f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7474-b5b8-eb5c2c8d023b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-76db-a2ca-eadac465f95f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-76db-a2ca-eadac465f95f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12fe-70fe-a0e9-2124713dcd5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7bbd-912d-10f41a373b71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7bbd-912d-10f41a373b71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-76b1-b279-a7c59af64b40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-76b1-b279-a7c59af64b40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7401-872b-c69419850424" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-7401-872b-c69419850424" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-780c-9dca-5839e65ce64b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12fe-7bae-91c0-57d068cebe78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12fe-780c-9dca-5839e65ce64b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12fe-76db-a2ca-eadac465f95f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5_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_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fc90b-6df6-7272-92a4-4b8f2dc3cde3" 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_019fc90b-6df6-7a3a-80f9-d1705b678dc5" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fc90b-6df6-7272-92a4-4b8f2dc3cde3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019fc90b-8efc-7a0f-9a1e-239c4ba75eb8" 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_019fc90b-6df6-7272-92a4-4b8f2dc3cde3" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019fc90b-8efc-7a0f-9a1e-239c4ba75eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12fe-717c-8629-2e555841f045" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7474-b5b8-eb5c2c8d023b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12fe-717c-8629-2e555841f045" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e4791-12fe-7419-b6a4-e7a65885c108" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7474-b5b8-eb5c2c8d023b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e4791-12fe-7419-b6a4-e7a65885c108" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-12fe-708e-9c72-4e8fc4341ac6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12fe-7474-b5b8-eb5c2c8d023b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e4791-12fe-708e-9c72-4e8fc4341ac6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityDividendsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#StockholdersEquityDividendsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/StockholdersEquityDividendsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12ff-7745-a955-bbd8796cd0f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12ff-7745-a955-bbd8796cd0f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12ff-7745-a955-bbd8796cd0f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1_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_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7748-ac7a-c15390f368ea" 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_019e4791-12ff-765d-8d94-62fc5e98b2e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7748-ac7a-c15390f368ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12ff-74c8-ac88-f919553d72a9" 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_019e4791-12ff-7748-ac7a-c15390f368ea" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12ff-74c8-ac88-f919553d72a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12ff-7d55-be60-f4bce2420fca" 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_019e4791-12ff-7748-ac7a-c15390f368ea" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12ff-7d55-be60-f4bce2420fca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019e4791-12ff-7745-a955-bbd8796cd0f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e4791-12ff-781f-a5fa-d20173910882" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7df3-a11a-c6985328acb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7df3-a11a-c6985328acb9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7f29-a1d2-15364ec33dc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7f29-a1d2-15364ec33dc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-70f5-b3b5-4e8c5856280c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-70f5-b3b5-4e8c5856280c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7b40-a55b-f3ec2dc085af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e4791-12ff-74f4-85d4-6cb10ff4cb97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesEPreferredStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7b40-a55b-f3ec2dc085af" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CommonStockDividendRatePerShare_019e4791-12ff-71de-9276-54e4a18749a8" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CommonStockDividendRatePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CommonStockDividendRatePerShare_019e4791-12ff-71de-9276-54e4a18749a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CommonStockMonthlyDividendRatePerShare_019e4791-12ff-7b76-a977-e5abfbe0be98" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CommonStockMonthlyDividendRatePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CommonStockMonthlyDividendRatePerShare_019e4791-12ff-7b76-a977-e5abfbe0be98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PreferredStockQuarterlyDividendRate_019e4791-12ff-71f5-8c2f-898d3be7ec3e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PreferredStockQuarterlyDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PreferredStockQuarterlyDividendRate_019e4791-12ff-71f5-8c2f-898d3be7ec3e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-12ff-7dae-8f08-d6a7f5a5538b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019e4791-12ff-7dae-8f08-d6a7f5a5538b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e4791-12ff-715e-ac32-4780a7a85bf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7a14-aa0f-a759301b3ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_019e4791-12ff-715e-ac32-4780a7a85bf1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EquityBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179" 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_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179_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_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" 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_019e4791-12ff-7df1-8a6d-8a8087b4e179" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2021EquityPlanMember_019e4791-12ff-75f6-a8c8-5c5b03b50263" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2021EquityPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2021EquityPlanMember_019e4791-12ff-75f6-a8c8-5c5b03b50263" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2025EquityPlanMember_019e4791-12ff-7ded-83a4-5933d5d3990f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2025EquityPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2025EquityPlanMember_019e4791-12ff-7ded-83a4-5933d5d3990f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-79ed-9367-3e6da09bf0cd" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-79ed-9367-3e6da09bf0cd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-71a6-8a7a-0f66830071f3" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-703c-bfff-e6ed5888489e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-71a6-8a7a-0f66830071f3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7de6-9e2b-59cee281da4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-75f6-8c48-4330ae192bdc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7de6-9e2b-59cee281da4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-784d-a8c0-e5851ac0271d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7de6-9e2b-59cee281da4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-784d-a8c0-e5851ac0271d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7efc-96e5-b276087191c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7de6-9e2b-59cee281da4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7efc-96e5-b276087191c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2023PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-75b3-a60c-fafcd780f2f0" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2023PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7efc-96e5-b276087191c7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2023PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-75b3-a60c-fafcd780f2f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2025PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7129-930b-5c0d68f336ec" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2025PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7efc-96e5-b276087191c7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2025PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7129-930b-5c0d68f336ec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_A2026PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7c5b-9346-19de5690fe93" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_A2026PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7efc-96e5-b276087191c7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_A2026PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7c5b-9346-19de5690fe93" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f" 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_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f_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_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12ff-7270-864a-5c35b2fd45b6" 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_019e4791-12ff-7cc6-b16a-703f588ba71f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12ff-7270-864a-5c35b2fd45b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AdvisorMember_019e4791-12ff-7df4-90b8-ab1b66623869" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AdvisorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019e4791-12ff-7270-864a-5c35b2fd45b6" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AdvisorMember_019e4791-12ff-7df4-90b8-ab1b66623869" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e15-9787-f959c402581a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7299-9668-2ca9e279b827" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e4791-12ff-7e2a-adf6-9d59b0ab3b7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e4791-12ff-7e2a-adf6-9d59b0ab3b7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-7fd8-bc7e-b9efd790891e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-7fd8-bc7e-b9efd790891e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-77e4-bf89-7b0e7b37eca7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-77e4-bf89-7b0e7b37eca7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-7215-9d82-18d1c7e0eb18" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTrancheFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7896-8a2e-08abe6c7a575" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedPaymentArrangementTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-7215-9d82-18d1c7e0eb18" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12ff-76af-ae68-c87cc833384a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e4791-12ff-76af-ae68-c87cc833384a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e4791-12ff-7b32-8cfd-1c89cb302031" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_019e4791-12ff-7b32-8cfd-1c89cb302031" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_019e4791-12ff-781c-abe6-d277076b0ff6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_019e4791-12ff-781c-abe6-d277076b0ff6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityFairValueDisclosure_019e4791-12ff-7c11-bbcf-52bad682eea2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityFairValueDisclosure_019e4791-12ff-7c11-bbcf-52bad682eea2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_019e4791-12ff-703e-b008-41cff810b784" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_019e4791-12ff-703e-b008-41cff810b784" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_019e4791-12ff-7cec-94f2-0aeb174ee94f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriod1_019e4791-12ff-7cec-94f2-0aeb174ee94f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e4791-12ff-76e9-862a-b284eb4f1cb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e4791-12ff-76e9-862a-b284eb4f1cb7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_019e4791-12ff-72b6-8918-76d284234304" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_019e4791-12ff-72b6-8918-76d284234304" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e4791-12ff-703c-af72-8b1f255fd86a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-742c-8d6a-5384b88aba55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e4791-12ff-703c-af72-8b1f255fd86a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationRestrictedShareAwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EquityBasedCompensationRestrictedShareAwardActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationRestrictedShareAwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78fc-b8de-6911cbf67cd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e29-99f7-f938bc342885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78fc-b8de-6911cbf67cd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e29-99f7-f938bc342885" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5" 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_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e29-99f7-f938bc342885" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5_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_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-75f4-bdb7-bf6cde67c2a2" 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_019e4791-12ff-7831-99a1-db3823af56a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-75f4-bdb7-bf6cde67c2a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-71ab-9529-d60538487c6f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-75f4-bdb7-bf6cde67c2a2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RestrictedSharePlanMember_019e4791-12ff-71ab-9529-d60538487c6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e29-99f7-f938bc342885" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7fb6-98fa-19cbcc17d892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bb7-90d5-d854f251c906" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7fb6-98fa-19cbcc17d892" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e4791-12ff-77c1-b38a-92df1c154414" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7fb6-98fa-19cbcc17d892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e4791-12ff-77c1-b38a-92df1c154414" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-753d-90e3-4d518a16a435" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7fb6-98fa-19cbcc17d892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-753d-90e3-4d518a16a435" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78fc-b8de-6911cbf67cd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber_019e4791-12ff-7f0e-adf3-c1e020705017" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber_019e4791-12ff-7f0e-adf3-c1e020705017" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e4791-12ff-75e0-886d-225d58a9c98d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e4791-12ff-75e0-886d-225d58a9c98d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-7aa5-86c8-e339186f2f04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-7aa5-86c8-e339186f2f04" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-72b2-a69a-913762e2c943" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-72b2-a69a-913762e2c943" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-7abb-8a87-36c61238563e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_019e4791-12ff-747e-a291-2b8aff8264ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-7abb-8a87-36c61238563e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber_019e4791-12ff-74e8-8847-d0aafac2e563" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e4791-12ff-7643-8edc-07434ee0f39b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78fc-b8de-6911cbf67cd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7891-94ca-f5853c35ec9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7891-94ca-f5853c35ec9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7668-b7ce-6a84e39aae84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7668-b7ce-6a84e39aae84" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7ebe-abef-b0851d837ea9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7ebe-abef-b0851d837ea9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7d47-9c09-ac1e402603e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_019e4791-12ff-7b7f-a6bf-cdab2da234fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7d47-9c09-ac1e402603e1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e4791-12ff-7b3b-ba30-177b72295006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationPotentialNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedatVariousLevelsofPerformanceDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationPotentialNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedatVariousLevelsofPerformanceDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationPotentialNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedatVariousLevelsofPerformanceDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7853-a270-384eca5339b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7e-bad5-6a950d76dc6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7853-a270-384eca5339b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7e-bad5-6a950d76dc6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7e-bad5-6a950d76dc6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7f36-8af2-e79af764d9c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-79ae-90bd-26be83b0c103" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7f36-8af2-e79af764d9c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-7e5c-937e-5eedacef10b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7f36-8af2-e79af764d9c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-7e5c-937e-5eedacef10b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-7780-a0c2-35f0408d0de8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7f36-8af2-e79af764d9c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-7780-a0c2-35f0408d0de8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-791c-a401-306883efdea4" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7f36-8af2-e79af764d9c1" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-791c-a401-306883efdea4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7e-bad5-6a950d76dc6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-74b5-8c7b-525e66a243f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c77-a935-9375ecbb8082" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-74b5-8c7b-525e66a243f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7e1e-9d27-efef676b4d71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-74b5-8c7b-525e66a243f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7e1e-9d27-efef676b4d71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPotentialNumberOfShareUnitsToBeIssued_019e4791-12ff-704c-9407-86c61a8b9bac" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPotentialNumberOfShareUnitsToBeIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7853-a270-384eca5339b5" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPotentialNumberOfShareUnitsToBeIssued_019e4791-12ff-704c-9407-86c61a8b9bac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedWeightedbyEachCategoryofPerformanceGoalDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedWeightedbyEachCategoryofPerformanceGoalDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EquityBasedCompensationShareBasedCompensationNumberofPSUsthatmaybeEarnedandVestedWeightedbyEachCategoryofPerformanceGoalDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7caf-91e3-eb432e306b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7caf-91e3-eb432e306b13" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryAxis_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PerformanceCategoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7caf-91e3-eb432e306b13" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryAxis_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7_default" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryAxis_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-761d-a5c8-2ae0b301ad9e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryAxis_019e4791-12ff-7773-80fa-b1a9b304ceb7" xlink:to="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-761d-a5c8-2ae0b301ad9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToMSCIREITIndexMember_019e4791-12ff-7859-a2b5-dadea68c349e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToMSCIREITIndexMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-761d-a5c8-2ae0b301ad9e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToMSCIREITIndexMember_019e4791-12ff-7859-a2b5-dadea68c349e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToCustomNetLeasePeerGroupMember_019e4791-12ff-7b01-bf60-5f3d07c6fce3" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToCustomNetLeasePeerGroupMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-761d-a5c8-2ae0b301ad9e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnRelativeToCustomNetLeasePeerGroupMember_019e4791-12ff-7b01-bf60-5f3d07c6fce3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnMember_019e4791-12ff-7303-ae26-f704202e877a" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_gnl_PerformanceCategoryDomain_019e4791-12ff-761d-a5c8-2ae0b301ad9e" xlink:to="loc_gnl_CompanyTotalShareholderReturnMember_019e4791-12ff-7303-ae26-f704202e877a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7caf-91e3-eb432e306b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_019e4791-12ff-7e6d-90ed-2abaf48976d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e4791-12ff-7125-82eb-afecda835ca8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_019e4791-12ff-7125-82eb-afecda835ca8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-776a-9ae4-ec06d8bad9be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheTwoMember_019e4791-12ff-776a-9ae4-ec06d8bad9be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-76b8-a92e-cb36ec4b0afd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheThreeMember_019e4791-12ff-76b8-a92e-cb36ec4b0afd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-7aed-99bf-e1f3c730728e" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_019e4791-12ff-762d-a8e1-2dabc9431ae8" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheFourMember_019e4791-12ff-7aed-99bf-e1f3c730728e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7caf-91e3-eb432e306b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7731-977d-53aa1c9343f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7bee-8e69-bdb2163c5af0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7731-977d-53aa1c9343f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-73bf-b8cc-f551265729c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7731-977d-53aa1c9343f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-73bf-b8cc-f551265729c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetDebtToAdjustedEBITDAPercentageOfPerformanceLevel_019e4791-12ff-7f74-a51b-10d22db8d48a" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetDebtToAdjustedEBITDAPercentageOfPerformanceLevel"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNetDebtToAdjustedEBITDAPercentageOfPerformanceLevel_019e4791-12ff-7f74-a51b-10d22db8d48a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRelativeCompanyTotalShareholderReturnPercentageOfPerformanceLevel_019e4791-12ff-74dd-9ade-5cc78545ac04" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRelativeCompanyTotalShareholderReturnPercentageOfPerformanceLevel"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRelativeCompanyTotalShareholderReturnPercentageOfPerformanceLevel_019e4791-12ff-74dd-9ade-5cc78545ac04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfTargetShareUnits_019e4791-12ff-7a13-b14e-c7b01605fe9c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfTargetShareUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfTargetShareUnits_019e4791-12ff-7a13-b14e-c7b01605fe9c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnPayoutPercentageEarned_019e4791-12ff-7441-a58c-42d770e1ab71" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnPayoutPercentageEarned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnPayoutPercentageEarned_019e4791-12ff-7441-a58c-42d770e1ab71" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfShareUnitsEarned_019e4791-12ff-78cf-92f6-f6fa69bfda0c" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfShareUnitsEarned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7165-9f3c-83e6a430c3b2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTotalShareholderReturnNumberOfShareUnitsEarned_019e4791-12ff-78cf-92f6-f6fa69bfda0c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_019e4791-12ff-78ad-a791-526d67fc25fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_019e4791-12ff-78ad-a791-526d67fc25fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_019e4791-12ff-78ad-a791-526d67fc25fc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696_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_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7d81-8317-18204907f825" 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_019e4791-12ff-7002-ae48-7fbe7dc98696" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e4791-12ff-7d81-8317-18204907f825" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12ff-7454-9850-b11c09eb18a7" 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_019e4791-12ff-7d81-8317-18204907f825" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e4791-12ff-7454-9850-b11c09eb18a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12ff-7718-93a7-61f0c6267a68" 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_019e4791-12ff-7d81-8317-18204907f825" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e4791-12ff-7718-93a7-61f0c6267a68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm_019e4791-12ff-7d9b-b1db-40daaffc96fd" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_gnl_LessorAverageRemainingLeaseTerm_019e4791-12ff-7d9b-b1db-40daaffc96fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases_019e4791-12ff-74a2-b222-228fc95b1278" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases_019e4791-12ff-74a2-b222-228fc95b1278" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberOfAdditionalPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases_019e4791-12ff-75be-a194-f811e644d6d2" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberOfAdditionalPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberOfAdditionalPropertiesSubjectToGroundLeases_019e4791-12ff-75be-a194-f811e644d6d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_019e4791-12ff-7592-be1f-cbc802474843" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_019e4791-12ff-7592-be1f-cbc802474843" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-12ff-7524-bf52-fa62c0917dbb" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-12ff-7524-bf52-fa62c0917dbb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e4791-12ff-721f-8887-b48b6ce5e8fc" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019e4791-12ff-721f-8887-b48b6ce5e8fc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_019e4791-12ff-753b-89c1-29e7de7c30ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_019e4791-12ff-753b-89c1-29e7de7c30ba" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_019e4791-12ff-7aa5-90c0-0eb7a2d287e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_019e4791-12ff-7aa5-90c0-0eb7a2d287e1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_019e4791-12ff-7a96-b467-2c389b1fe1d0" 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_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_019e4791-12ff-7a96-b467-2c389b1fe1d0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_019e4791-12ff-7ab8-93e9-8c143036976b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cb9-acac-fc8f268866bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_019e4791-12ff-7ab8-93e9-8c143036976b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofEarningsPerShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EarningsPerShareAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofEarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7f38-a2d1-4233acc133f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019e4791-12ff-777a-959d-00996cdf7d65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7f38-a2d1-4233acc133f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019e4791-12ff-777a-959d-00996cdf7d65" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174" 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_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019e4791-12ff-777a-959d-00996cdf7d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174_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_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-728f-9eba-498cd146e33b" 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_019e4791-12ff-7a92-a4f4-386d8530e174" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-728f-9eba-498cd146e33b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e4791-12ff-7801-b710-921910ac592d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-728f-9eba-498cd146e33b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019e4791-12ff-7801-b710-921910ac592d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7c2d-bdc3-cccfefe849ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-728f-9eba-498cd146e33b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7c2d-bdc3-cccfefe849ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7168-964c-b515ae96eb5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-728f-9eba-498cd146e33b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7168-964c-b515ae96eb5d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicByCommonClassTable_019e4791-12ff-777a-959d-00996cdf7d65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-793b-bd65-2b5784fc1928" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e4791-12ff-79f3-b857-71678ab036b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-793b-bd65-2b5784fc1928" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7791-a3c7-6c081b1f114e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-793b-bd65-2b5784fc1928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e4791-12ff-7791-a3c7-6c081b1f114e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e4791-12ff-7b76-a724-a3321795118d" 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_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7f38-a2d1-4233acc133f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019e4791-12ff-7b76-a724-a3321795118d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e4791-12ff-7153-96ee-fad308097832" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7f38-a2d1-4233acc133f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e4791-12ff-7153-96ee-fad308097832" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-79ad-9cab-38bcf95ebde9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7f38-a2d1-4233acc133f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod_019e4791-12ff-79ad-9cab-38bcf95ebde9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-75ef-95a4-dd6d3f9f823e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7d0f-896b-1b665639297e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-75ef-95a4-dd6d3f9f823e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7d0f-896b-1b665639297e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3" 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_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e4791-12ff-7d0f-896b-1b665639297e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3_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_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7a65-8918-3668e120b163" 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_019e4791-12ff-713d-8883-7a335e60adc3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7a65-8918-3668e120b163" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7035-8928-bd31dde03f1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019e4791-12ff-7a65-8918-3668e120b163" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e4791-12ff-7035-8928-bd31dde03f1e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019e4791-12ff-76bc-86fe-65f213a05937" 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_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e4791-12ff-75ef-95a4-dd6d3f9f823e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_019e4791-12ff-76bc-86fe-65f213a05937" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingOperatingFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingOperatingFinancialInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingOperatingFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78ea-97bc-32d08fca5b88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7a1a-a664-500dc6251f9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78ea-97bc-32d08fca5b88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7a1a-a664-500dc6251f9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7a1a-a664-500dc6251f9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2_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_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7ecf-9d87-40f58f086523" 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_019e4791-12ff-7c45-95d8-a4fe1685f0c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7ecf-9d87-40f58f086523" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-72e5-b6f5-168b367f9649" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7ecf-9d87-40f58f086523" xlink:to="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-72e5-b6f5-168b367f9649" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7c17-b8d5-d8096337e501" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7ecf-9d87-40f58f086523" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7c17-b8d5-d8096337e501" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-781c-ac7c-8b7adc9adfcf" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OfficeSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7ecf-9d87-40f58f086523" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-781c-ac7c-8b7adc9adfcf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-786d-9e6d-6314a654aad9" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78ea-97bc-32d08fca5b88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-786d-9e6d-6314a654aad9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e4791-12ff-764d-925c-0828fad09b51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78ea-97bc-32d08fca5b88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e4791-12ff-764d-925c-0828fad09b51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-12ff-7a8f-8722-37589f2c9fdc" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-78ea-97bc-32d08fca5b88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-12ff-7a8f-8722-37589f2c9fdc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingSegmentsIncometoConsolidatedNetLossIncomeAttributabletoCommonStockholdersDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingSegmentsIncometoConsolidatedNetLossIncomeAttributabletoCommonStockholdersDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingSegmentsIncometoConsolidatedNetLossIncomeAttributabletoCommonStockholdersDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7d-b72a-24535e0c92f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7d-b72a-24535e0c92f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7d-b72a-24535e0c92f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44_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_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7619-86b5-f02ccbf77db2" 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_019e4791-12ff-7112-98cb-41485515fc44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7619-86b5-f02ccbf77db2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-74bc-9675-49842b62ad4d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7619-86b5-f02ccbf77db2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-74bc-9675-49842b62ad4d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7568-aa7b-883942a88b50" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7619-86b5-f02ccbf77db2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7568-aa7b-883942a88b50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-736f-9eff-eb393efea57f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OfficeSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7619-86b5-f02ccbf77db2" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-736f-9eff-eb393efea57f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7e7d-b72a-24535e0c92f2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a_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_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-7686-a8de-1610bab34bb2" 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_019e4791-12ff-787b-9847-7a2ad0fb126a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-7686-a8de-1610bab34bb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e4791-12ff-7868-a24c-88ce40a5c855" 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_019e4791-12ff-7686-a8de-1610bab34bb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e4791-12ff-7868-a24c-88ce40a5c855" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-7851-9eca-50c0f3b61024" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-7851-9eca-50c0f3b61024" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-12ff-704f-91f5-fcc9e72d9100" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e4791-12ff-704f-91f5-fcc9e72d9100" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_019e4791-12ff-760a-a755-32eedfd41a98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_019e4791-12ff-760a-a755-32eedfd41a98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019e4791-12ff-710b-92b4-b85d44e57c46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019e4791-12ff-710b-92b4-b85d44e57c46" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e4791-12ff-7fff-a1cd-99da14f9c958" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e4791-12ff-7fff-a1cd-99da14f9c958" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense_019e4791-12ff-72c7-892b-6af6eeb3263f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockOptionPlanExpense_019e4791-12ff-72c7-892b-6af6eeb3263f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e4791-12ff-7b69-8bf7-787b50813af5" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e4791-12ff-7b69-8bf7-787b50813af5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-12ff-703f-86fd-a655b78882f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019e4791-12ff-703f-86fd-a655b78882f3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e4791-12ff-707f-adda-a51065235071" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate_019e4791-12ff-707f-adda-a51065235071" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12ff-7248-9364-949ebb2ae64a" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e4791-12ff-7248-9364-949ebb2ae64a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-12ff-7acc-b7e7-5a0d01677f90" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e4791-12ff-7acc-b7e7-5a0d01677f90" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e4791-12ff-7a08-b3a9-649ee7cc5ef5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_019e4791-12ff-7a08-b3a9-649ee7cc5ef5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss_019e4791-12ff-74ec-9596-ece734e7cb06" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_gnl_DerivativeNetHedgeIneffectivenessAndUndesignatedHedgeGainLoss_019e4791-12ff-74ec-9596-ece734e7cb06" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e4791-12ff-73d2-bf03-16d161237cbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e4791-12ff-73d2-bf03-16d161237cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-12ff-7a1a-9c09-e96f5b8968e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-12ff-7a1a-9c09-e96f5b8968e5" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e4791-12ff-76ed-afc9-5c3c0f6fe5bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e4791-12ff-76ed-afc9-5c3c0f6fe5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-12ff-7af1-b0ff-e3eb9c6df08f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e4791-12ff-7af1-b0ff-e3eb9c6df08f" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax_019e4791-12ff-74a3-8ea9-34c1f7d58c64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTax_019e4791-12ff-74a3-8ea9-34c1f7d58c64" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-12ff-78f4-b95b-1ffad947055d" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e4791-12ff-78f4-b95b-1ffad947055d" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_019e4791-12ff-7a8d-8d9b-99e66465678c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_019e4791-12ff-7a8d-8d9b-99e66465678c" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e4791-12ff-7489-9032-6fe54f06dc0b" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7baf-a26f-ea61d8e98132" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e4791-12ff-7489-9032-6fe54f06dc0b" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingReconciliationofAssetsfromSegmenttoConsolidatedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7224-b10a-07a66e373103" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7224-b10a-07a66e373103" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7224-b10a-07a66e373103" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf_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_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-766c-a576-35625a4e7deb" 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_019e4791-12ff-7742-bd55-dd6f189eddbf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019e4791-12ff-766c-a576-35625a4e7deb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e4791-12ff-78e2-b475-86ede2b21553" 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_019e4791-12ff-766c-a576-35625a4e7deb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019e4791-12ff-78e2-b475-86ede2b21553" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e4791-12ff-7224-b10a-07a66e373103" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc_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_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-723a-8262-cfcee88f5f3f" 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_019e4791-12ff-7866-9f67-dc3703668edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-723a-8262-cfcee88f5f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7548-b449-c8ba84cc6cbe" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-723a-8262-cfcee88f5f3f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_IndustrialAndDistributionSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-7548-b449-c8ba84cc6cbe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-74ef-a62e-4cfc9cb38f88" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-723a-8262-cfcee88f5f3f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_SingleTenantRetailSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-74ef-a62e-4cfc9cb38f88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-791b-83dd-014b80520ea2" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_OfficeSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-723a-8262-cfcee88f5f3f" xlink:to="loc_gnl_OfficeSegmentMember_019e4791-12ff-791b-83dd-014b80520ea2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e4791-12ff-76d7-a25a-058865c4379b" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019e4791-12ff-76d7-a25a-058865c4379b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-12ff-7af3-972b-1748dd14058b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroup_019e4791-12ff-7af3-972b-1748dd14058b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-12ff-7bac-b490-70f10d86cab9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019e4791-12ff-7bac-b490-70f10d86cab9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-12ff-774e-b0ad-2d1e6a45631c" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019e4791-12ff-774e-b0ad-2d1e6a45631c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-12ff-70ed-9457-4451a5e5fa2a" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e4791-12ff-70ed-9457-4451a5e5fa2a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e4791-12ff-7dc2-abf3-450f8319a66d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019e4791-12ff-7dc2-abf3-450f8319a66d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee_019e4791-12ff-7f7d-a81d-885165bdd24b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncentiveToLessee_019e4791-12ff-7f7d-a81d-885165bdd24b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-12ff-7a53-92ab-d4bed43a8d41" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019e4791-12ff-7a53-92ab-d4bed43a8d41" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-12ff-7ced-82bb-be6f7e87733d" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019e4791-12ff-7ced-82bb-be6f7e87733d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-12ff-7ae3-8950-1fcaf570120d" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_gnl_MultiTenantDispositionReceivableNet_019e4791-12ff-7ae3-8950-1fcaf570120d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e4791-12ff-7201-87a2-fd5fce58c57b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_019e4791-12ff-7201-87a2-fd5fce58c57b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e4791-12ff-7d7a-aec1-6221f1a12e20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019e4791-12ff-7d7a-aec1-6221f1a12e20" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet_019e4791-12ff-7ea8-98d6-f067ad2c3de6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNoncurrentNet_019e4791-12ff-7ea8-98d6-f067ad2c3de6" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e4791-12ff-7bb4-9112-8b1c28ebd169" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7e6f-b543-f350fa87a6a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019e4791-12ff-7bb4-9112-8b1c28ebd169" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingGeographicInformationforRevenuefromTenantsandInvestmentsinRealEstateDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingGeographicInformationforRevenuefromTenantsandInvestmentsinRealEstateDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SegmentReportingGeographicInformationforRevenuefromTenantsandInvestmentsinRealEstateDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cd4-ba13-b6d85d003542" 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_019e4791-12ff-72ed-8c3e-87bacc626287" 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_019e4791-12ff-7cd4-ba13-b6d85d003542" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e4791-12ff-72ed-8c3e-87bacc626287" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35" 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_ScheduleOfRevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsTable_019e4791-12ff-72ed-8c3e-87bacc626287" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35_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_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" 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_019e4791-12ff-7b89-9280-4c02be6a9e35" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019e4791-12ff-7ddf-a705-71dcded91b54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019e4791-12ff-7ddf-a705-71dcded91b54" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_GB_019e4791-12ff-7ca1-8453-1d4c86af5335" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_GB"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" xlink:to="loc_country_GB_019e4791-12ff-7ca1-8453-1d4c86af5335" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019e4791-12ff-7384-8d75-2513b854b260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_019e4791-12ff-7384-8d75-2513b854b260" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CA_019e4791-12ff-7fc2-98f8-e7b683eac788" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_CA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e4791-12ff-7466-bc2b-c6bcf432edb3" xlink:to="loc_country_CA_019e4791-12ff-7fc2-98f8-e7b683eac788" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6" 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_019e4791-12ff-72ed-8c3e-87bacc626287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6_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_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7309-b2fe-9a3135e8cc1a" 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_019e4791-12ff-75b4-8041-0f45425cc2e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7309-b2fe-9a3135e8cc1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestingMember_019e4791-12ff-7ba7-b13b-195e78cb81a2" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateInvestingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e4791-12ff-7309-b2fe-9a3135e8cc1a" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateInvestingMember_019e4791-12ff-7ba7-b13b-195e78cb81a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-7cb1-80d7-b2d484e2eaf2" 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_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cd4-ba13-b6d85d003542" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e4791-12ff-7cb1-80d7-b2d484e2eaf2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e4791-12ff-7cb2-8227-3f3da9e55d1c" 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_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cd4-ba13-b6d85d003542" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019e4791-12ff-7cb2-8227-3f3da9e55d1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLiabilitiesGross_019e4791-12ff-7496-85f3-be380ba68bfa" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLiabilitiesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesFromExternalCustomersAndLongLivedAssetsLineItems_019e4791-12ff-7cd4-ba13-b6d85d003542" xlink:to="loc_gnl_AcquiredIntangibleLiabilitiesGross_019e4791-12ff-7496-85f3-be380ba68bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://globalnetlease.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_019e4791-13c5-75a1-93ab-5730ee2b5210" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_019e4791-13c5-75a1-93ab-5730ee2b5210" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_019e4791-13c5-75a1-93ab-5730ee2b5210" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-13c5-75a9-a051-2c5a2cdb02dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e4791-13c5-7d14-931e-fdf9e693862a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-13c5-75a9-a051-2c5a2cdb02dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-13c5-7614-a8fe-4bcec63fd156" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e4791-13c5-75a9-a051-2c5a2cdb02dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019e4791-13c5-7614-a8fe-4bcec63fd156" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019e4791-13c5-75a1-93ab-5730ee2b5210" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1_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_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e4791-13c5-75c1-a2b6-b1b997c29b1f" 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_019e4791-13c5-79b5-b1b3-04cd1eb984b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e4791-13c5-75c1-a2b6-b1b997c29b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019e4791-13c5-7511-b2ac-511df468630e" 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_019e4791-13c5-75c1-a2b6-b1b997c29b1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019e4791-13c5-7511-b2ac-511df468630e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019f8958-7ff2-7cfc-a032-7d7ad0c2da7f" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:to="loc_gnl_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesAcquired_019f8958-7ff2-7cfc-a032-7d7ad0c2da7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_gnl_RealEstateAcquiredPurchasePrice_019f8958-7ff2-7e6e-ad15-9f7f5e89d794" xlink:href="gnl-20260630.xsd#gnl_RealEstateAcquiredPurchasePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:to="loc_gnl_RealEstateAcquiredPurchasePrice_019f8958-7ff2-7e6e-ad15-9f7f5e89d794" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-13c5-7885-89db-a03a2fdd6a2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e4791-13c5-7885-89db-a03a2fdd6a2d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019e4791-13c5-7877-bf1f-a499c35c1e30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019e4791-13c5-74ea-bf46-c406709a7256" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019e4791-13c5-7877-bf1f-a499c35c1e30" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
