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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019fce10-fe10-7a03-b927-081207be7026,g:58c9870a-c7d8-4362-a069-dd5f22c5ca6e-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019fce11-0039-7a1f-b18b-e042c97846dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_019fce11-0039-7a1f-b18b-e042c97846dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c" 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_DocumentInformationTable_019fce11-0039-7a1f-b18b-e042c97846dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c_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_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" 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_019fce11-0039-7d8b-abf0-8f6b2fee1d1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-0039-74d6-bdb5-096a93a2bedd" 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_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-0039-74d6-bdb5-096a93a2bedd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73a1-9e81-8c80a816719f" 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_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73a1-9e81-8c80a816719f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7d5f-a816-31a658dd45a5" 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_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7d5f-a816-31a658dd45a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-0039-7df9-980c-f2a8eda854e0" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7a1c-85d0-b23d99587527" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-0039-7df9-980c-f2a8eda854e0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019fce11-0039-7943-8027-4500990ee462" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019fce11-0039-7943-8027-4500990ee462" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019fce11-0039-7333-8f1e-780bb506c950" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019fce11-0039-7333-8f1e-780bb506c950" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019fce11-0039-7e86-93ec-406898be1edb" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019fce11-0039-7e86-93ec-406898be1edb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019fce11-0039-7354-b27e-920259a948b4" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019fce11-0039-7354-b27e-920259a948b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019fce11-0039-721f-8ef3-2917c2f9b6a7" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019fce11-0039-721f-8ef3-2917c2f9b6a7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019fce11-0039-7e28-b6c0-7d26d0bb97c7" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019fce11-0039-7e28-b6c0-7d26d0bb97c7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019fce11-0039-7cba-9dd3-1dfa6d7f44f4" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019fce11-0039-7cba-9dd3-1dfa6d7f44f4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019fce11-0039-71b9-95bd-66294cd738ff" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019fce11-0039-71b9-95bd-66294cd738ff" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019fce11-0039-7673-9f15-cf50607c2854" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019fce11-0039-7673-9f15-cf50607c2854" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019fce11-0039-7e4b-be02-f6081d023791" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019fce11-0039-7e4b-be02-f6081d023791" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019fce11-0039-722d-b4b2-c5bcf686ad10" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019fce11-0039-722d-b4b2-c5bcf686ad10" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019fce11-0039-74a0-ad32-4d38b8f0bbe7" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019fce11-0039-74a0-ad32-4d38b8f0bbe7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019fce11-0039-7b19-9e28-018c54873bb0" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019fce11-0039-7b19-9e28-018c54873bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019fce11-0039-7649-83c4-f5976b6a405a" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019fce11-0039-7649-83c4-f5976b6a405a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019fce11-0039-7a64-aac5-f1003548cb18" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019fce11-0039-7a64-aac5-f1003548cb18" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019fce11-0039-7619-a486-7443f951a2d1" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019fce11-0039-7619-a486-7443f951a2d1" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019fce11-0039-7e6c-95c7-9661bf4b7ed3" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019fce11-0039-7e6c-95c7-9661bf4b7ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019fce11-0039-722f-83b1-7f4859663c2a" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019fce11-0039-722f-83b1-7f4859663c2a" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019fce11-0039-7b5f-b49c-48884d3e4500" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019fce11-0039-7b5f-b49c-48884d3e4500" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019fce11-0039-718e-982d-d6066b991a10" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019fce11-0039-718e-982d-d6066b991a10" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019fce11-0039-7a48-a375-8db5f688292d" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019fce11-0039-7a48-a375-8db5f688292d" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019fce11-0039-7972-8312-d66f9d6372c8" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019fce11-0039-7972-8312-d66f9d6372c8" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019fce11-0039-7cb9-9c63-03c242cbb4aa" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019fce11-0039-7cb9-9c63-03c242cbb4aa" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-71e1-bd5c-0113ba60a444" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-71e1-bd5c-0113ba60a444" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019fce11-0039-736b-bfd0-2ea408ec1280" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019fce11-0039-736b-bfd0-2ea408ec1280" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019fce11-0039-7240-b6ea-5cced5abb701" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019fce11-0039-7240-b6ea-5cced5abb701" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019fce11-0039-731e-b70b-1bd08db6b6a2" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019fce11-0039-731e-b70b-1bd08db6b6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019fce11-0039-7b85-a855-1b3697961ed5" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019fce11-0039-7b85-a855-1b3697961ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019fce11-0039-7db7-97bd-248941fb28c4" 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_DocumentInformationLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e8f-9aa8-85e7ed7e9d80" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019fce11-0039-7db7-97bd-248941fb28c4" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" 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_019fce11-0039-7759-9d4b-aa1cc27e64ce" 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_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019fce11-0039-7759-9d4b-aa1cc27e64ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019fce11-0039-7759-9d4b-aa1cc27e64ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-741a-a7dc-770bf204b999" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7f82-af9d-bc4fadea2dd8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-741a-a7dc-770bf204b999" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_019fce11-0039-7015-8938-7b0610426c10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-741a-a7dc-770bf204b999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandAndLandImprovementsMember_019fce11-0039-7015-8938-7b0610426c10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_019fce11-0039-7d04-a245-c0e665f9248f" 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_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-741a-a7dc-770bf204b999" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_019fce11-0039-7d04-a245-c0e665f9248f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078" 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_019fce11-0039-7759-9d4b-aa1cc27e64ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078_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_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7cbf-afd5-1c3938c586fd" 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_019fce11-0039-794f-a4b0-64207d3bd078" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7cbf-afd5-1c3938c586fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73bc-bd0d-2d0e6eec136c" 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_019fce11-0039-7cbf-afd5-1c3938c586fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73bc-bd0d-2d0e6eec136c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-770c-86b8-d7be899f8c30" 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_019fce11-0039-7cbf-afd5-1c3938c586fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-770c-86b8-d7be899f8c30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73fe-84f5-1f12c03fdca9" 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_019fce11-0039-7cbf-afd5-1c3938c586fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-73fe-84f5-1f12c03fdca9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" 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_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019fce11-0039-71bd-a4fb-017edabb7a5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019fce11-0039-71bd-a4fb-017edabb7a5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019fce11-0039-7e63-9433-a1d789d5b188" 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_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019fce11-0039-71bd-a4fb-017edabb7a5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost_019fce11-0039-7e63-9433-a1d789d5b188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019fce11-0039-71a2-ac76-05a4010c514f" 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_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019fce11-0039-71bd-a4fb-017edabb7a5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation_019fce11-0039-71a2-ac76-05a4010c514f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019fce11-0039-79f6-b65c-c65ac15f153c" 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_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNetAbstract_019fce11-0039-71bd-a4fb-017edabb7a5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_019fce11-0039-79f6-b65c-c65ac15f153c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019fce11-0039-76fe-8a1b-eca7fddbb627" 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_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_019fce11-0039-76fe-8a1b-eca7fddbb627" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019fce11-0039-7fd2-903b-18ffb9fed354" 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_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019fce11-0039-7fd2-903b-18ffb9fed354" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_019fce11-0039-7b40-a9b3-154bae4ab0b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet_019fce11-0039-7b40-a9b3-154bae4ab0b1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-7863-8341-7540caf7bab3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-7863-8341-7540caf7bab3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7cec-b75d-a0a60d205051" 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_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7cec-b75d-a0a60d205051" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_OffmarketleaseFavorable_019fce11-0039-74d2-8797-db43a4be3819" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_OffmarketleaseFavorable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_whlr_OffmarketleaseFavorable_019fce11-0039-74d2-8797-db43a4be3819" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019fce11-0039-7627-a339-eb7b418ba072" 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_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_019fce11-0039-7627-a339-eb7b418ba072" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets_019fce11-0039-7a34-8e2e-40866b6b267d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets_019fce11-0039-7a34-8e2e-40866b6b267d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019fce11-0039-7d0b-b350-680fd301748d" 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_019fce11-0039-7139-bbd2-0d04025bbe60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019fce11-0039-7d0b-b350-680fd301748d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019fce11-0039-7483-a650-b5a43ea2ffba" 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_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019fce11-0039-7483-a650-b5a43ea2ffba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7dad-a85b-28a4f966e227" 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_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7dad-a85b-28a4f966e227" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OffMarketLeaseUnfavorable_019fce11-0039-724b-8340-0b51a8f68e91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OffMarketLeaseUnfavorable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OffMarketLeaseUnfavorable_019fce11-0039-724b-8340-0b51a8f68e91" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstanding_019fce11-0039-78a0-a045-6540d1d23ee5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WarrantsAndRightsOutstanding_019fce11-0039-78a0-a045-6540d1d23ee5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019fce11-0039-712d-a6a1-e138442e3ebd" 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_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_019fce11-0039-712d-a6a1-e138442e3ebd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount_019fce11-0039-7d99-895d-0884288c2aa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount_019fce11-0039-7d99-895d-0884288c2aa7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019fce11-0039-779b-9480-1297ffbeeec8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_019fce11-0039-779b-9480-1297ffbeeec8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019fce11-0039-784e-9b12-d6d1a725ede3" 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_LiabilitiesAbstract_019fce11-0039-72c8-a6ad-6acac207280c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019fce11-0039-784e-9b12-d6d1a725ede3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019fce11-0039-700a-83d3-fd973a4f5b2b" 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_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_019fce11-0039-700a-83d3-fd973a4f5b2b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019fce11-0039-7a51-acf7-fa1ece67113f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019fce11-0039-7a51-acf7-fa1ece67113f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" 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_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding_019fce11-0039-7fff-851f-dec5144bc735" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValueOutstanding_019fce11-0039-7fff-851f-dec5144bc735" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_019fce11-0039-7671-adfd-13c8c0cf7b36" 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_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_019fce11-0039-7671-adfd-13c8c0cf7b36" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_019fce11-0039-7119-9d6f-929981a65554" 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_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_019fce11-0039-7119-9d6f-929981a65554" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019fce11-0039-7ce0-a55c-7b62da2cef3a" 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_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019fce11-0039-7ce0-a55c-7b62da2cef3a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-78e0-afbc-72c3e22c3548" 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_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-78e0-afbc-72c3e22c3548" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019fce11-0039-7d0a-9a67-31738a83315c" 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_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019fce11-0039-7d0a-9a67-31738a83315c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_019fce11-0039-7ce0-b9e7-b06fb3aa3bf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_019fce11-0039-7ce0-b9e7-b06fb3aa3bf9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019fce11-0039-7c9f-bff9-729f7eac5521" 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_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_019fce11-0039-7b7e-abc3-68c1d4ca5904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019fce11-0039-7c9f-bff9-729f7eac5521" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019fce11-0039-7b4a-91c7-a982bbd34306" 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_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7177-9149-dc700d28fc28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019fce11-0039-7b4a-91c7-a982bbd34306" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" 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_019fce11-0039-7d2f-a544-1763536cfdd2" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019fce11-0039-7d2f-a544-1763536cfdd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077" 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_019fce11-0039-7d2f-a544-1763536cfdd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077_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_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7c5c-8351-c93702c6814c" 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_019fce11-0039-7248-9f94-c17b13f26077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7c5c-8351-c93702c6814c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-708c-bf8f-d3c7ef0e61ef" 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_019fce11-0039-7c5c-8351-c93702c6814c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-708c-bf8f-d3c7ef0e61ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-730d-9b6b-e575755beafd" 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_019fce11-0039-7c5c-8351-c93702c6814c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-730d-9b6b-e575755beafd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019fce11-0039-7a6f-9736-1631be00b75c" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019fce11-0039-7a6f-9736-1631be00b75c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019fce11-0039-7247-9537-149793ff76a3" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019fce11-0039-7247-9537-149793ff76a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-7a73-ae7d-cc304e3ea64a" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-7a73-ae7d-cc304e3ea64a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019fce11-0039-7ff6-884c-b5c57f63e597" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019fce11-0039-7ff6-884c-b5c57f63e597" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019fce11-0039-7cf6-be11-83c5ebc388cc" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019fce11-0039-7cf6-be11-83c5ebc388cc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019fce11-0039-7904-845d-626937c1e4de" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019fce11-0039-7904-845d-626937c1e4de" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019fce11-0039-71af-bb2d-e62089c9fd0f" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019fce11-0039-71af-bb2d-e62089c9fd0f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-76bf-8ddc-abd50af45ee1" 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_019fce11-0039-7e74-832a-af7a3dde1620" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-76bf-8ddc-abd50af45ee1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a86-b517-08e0ebf9e60a" 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_019fce11-0039-7911-9a12-c2487a0c4afd" 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_019fce11-0039-7a86-b517-08e0ebf9e60a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019fce11-0039-7911-9a12-c2487a0c4afd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb" 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_019fce11-0039-7911-9a12-c2487a0c4afd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb_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_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" 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_019fce11-0039-7d19-8a9e-eced8f1be6fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7b76-a14b-b0c61c75b266" 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_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7b76-a14b-b0c61c75b266" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7151-ac33-468cc5370da8" 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_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-7151-ac33-468cc5370da8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-0039-7d92-a2e6-fe68c3580c77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-0039-7d92-a2e6-fe68c3580c77" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-76c9-b106-8c1f91db2f65" 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_019fce11-0039-79ff-8bb7-c2fd53122120" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-76c9-b106-8c1f91db2f65" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233" 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_019fce11-0039-7911-9a12-c2487a0c4afd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233_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_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-7616-adba-9f64d241c693" 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_019fce11-0039-70bd-afc3-32b555d18233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-7616-adba-9f64d241c693" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" 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_019fce11-0039-7616-adba-9f64d241c693" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-76aa-acf0-7ab4d63a6f20" 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_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_019fce11-0039-76aa-acf0-7ab4d63a6f20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-0039-773e-890d-08f77fe35016" 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_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-0039-773e-890d-08f77fe35016" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019fce11-0039-756f-a5c7-6de5a17ad2bc" 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_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019fce11-0039-756f-a5c7-6de5a17ad2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019fce11-0039-790d-8dec-1316be08e8a9" 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_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019fce11-0039-790d-8dec-1316be08e8a9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fce11-0039-7d84-9677-e5b033bd83d2" 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_019fce11-0039-7104-846e-6e34463d12ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fce11-0039-7d84-9677-e5b033bd83d2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019fce11-0039-7820-b7a7-86326467ba9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-7616-adba-9f64d241c693" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019fce11-0039-7820-b7a7-86326467ba9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestOperatingPartnershipMember_019fce11-0039-775b-9248-8b52d36598d1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NoncontrollingInterestOperatingPartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019fce11-0039-7820-b7a7-86326467ba9c" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestOperatingPartnershipMember_019fce11-0039-775b-9248-8b52d36598d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember_019fce11-0039-788f-abfe-32d02e6bfe8e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_019fce11-0039-7820-b7a7-86326467ba9c" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember_019fce11-0039-788f-abfe-32d02e6bfe8e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" 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_019fce11-0039-7a86-b517-08e0ebf9e60a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-74e8-ad98-ba6061bca272" 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_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-74e8-ad98-ba6061bca272" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019fce11-0039-7ae0-bb9a-76dc800017b6" 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_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019fce11-0039-7ae0-bb9a-76dc800017b6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-0039-77c3-883d-32b1646b0fb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-0039-77c3-883d-32b1646b0fb2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-0039-77bd-8731-d820cba1404f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-0039-77bd-8731-d820cba1404f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PreferredStockAccretionOfRedemptionDiscountAdjusted_019fce11-0039-7550-96f0-28857bae4b8f" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PreferredStockAccretionOfRedemptionDiscountAdjusted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PreferredStockAccretionOfRedemptionDiscountAdjusted_019fce11-0039-7550-96f0-28857bae4b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-0039-724a-842a-f2feb515325f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-0039-724a-842a-f2feb515325f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-0039-709a-8732-9c485af62cef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-0039-709a-8732-9c485af62cef" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference_019fce11-0039-74db-acd9-463938dab35d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference_019fce11-0039-74db-acd9-463938dab35d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfStock_019fce11-0039-7998-af2c-a181144f9fbc" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfStock_019fce11-0039-7998-af2c-a181144f9fbc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfStock_019fce11-0039-7856-a129-80c2570578cf" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfStock_019fce11-0039-7856-a129-80c2570578cf" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalAdjustmentForNoncontrollingInterestInOperatingPartnership_019fce11-0039-74b6-b3d0-6517d3f0502a" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalAdjustmentForNoncontrollingInterestInOperatingPartnership"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_whlr_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalAdjustmentForNoncontrollingInterestInOperatingPartnership_019fce11-0039-74b6-b3d0-6517d3f0502a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits_019fce11-0039-78c8-a448-d16ea3be8ce1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesReverseStockSplits_019fce11-0039-78c8-a448-d16ea3be8ce1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-0039-7b94-a16d-3e8339ee51f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-0039-7b94-a16d-3e8339ee51f4" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_019fce11-0039-7661-bf52-3d767f8f6c46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Dividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_019fce11-0039-7661-bf52-3d767f8f6c46" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019fce11-0039-75f3-95de-d928221a76a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_019fce11-0039-75f3-95de-d928221a76a3" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019fce11-0039-7096-9f72-73d951d82107" 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_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019fce11-0039-7096-9f72-73d951d82107" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-7870-816d-999c773cfb9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019fce11-0039-7818-a829-244abb9a6a53" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-7870-816d-999c773cfb9f" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_019fce11-0039-70e5-9308-4d5aef134bc4" 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_019fce11-0039-7b83-9723-4cef71759455" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/BusinessandOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#BusinessandOrganizationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/BusinessandOrganizationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019fce11-0039-7db9-83ac-bd28ee90e704" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019fce11-0039-7db9-83ac-bd28ee90e704" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e" 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_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019fce11-0039-7db9-83ac-bd28ee90e704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e_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_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019fce11-0039-76ae-97f4-e8c209ee5445" 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_019fce11-0039-7928-89a1-2c9e82dc078e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019fce11-0039-76ae-97f4-e8c209ee5445" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-0039-7bb9-8642-117cc81acd44" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019fce11-0039-76ae-97f4-e8c209ee5445" xlink:to="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-0039-7bb9-8642-117cc81acd44" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d" 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_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_019fce11-0039-7db9-83ac-bd28ee90e704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d_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_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7b9c-91a5-c0ad1d2e049d" 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_019fce11-0039-7a50-b96e-b7fbfcd9894d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7b9c-91a5-c0ad1d2e049d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-0039-74aa-bbfc-1b7c8d537b22" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7b9c-91a5-c0ad1d2e049d" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-0039-74aa-bbfc-1b7c8d537b22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-0039-7052-b946-968b97c81c4a" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-0039-7b9c-91a5-c0ad1d2e049d" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-0039-7052-b946-968b97c81c4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PercentageOfOwnershipInterestsInOperatingPartnership_019fce11-0039-792c-be5c-f773fbb9cc45" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PercentageOfOwnershipInterestsInOperatingPartnership"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PercentageOfOwnershipInterestsInOperatingPartnership_019fce11-0039-792c-be5c-f773fbb9cc45" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019fce11-0039-75e0-b218-47e7c2f5ee78" 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_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019fce11-0039-75e0-b218-47e7c2f5ee78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesCenters_019fce11-0039-7fbc-b10b-6e8c2a13a320" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesCenters"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesCenters_019fce11-0039-7fbc-b10b-6e8c2a13a320" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesUndeveloped_019fce11-0039-7d0d-8253-b0e4bed0fe4b" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesUndeveloped"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NumberofRealEstatePropertiesUndeveloped_019fce11-0039-7d0d-8253-b0e4bed0fe4b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019fce11-0039-7a9f-a0e9-745d2d2ef86d" 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_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_019fce11-0039-7a07-b1b7-6fb3c882bef8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_019fce11-0039-7a9f-a0e9-745d2d2ef86d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019fce11-0039-7dd1-b0fb-94d38a391de3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019fce11-0039-7dd1-b0fb-94d38a391de3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416" 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_ClassOfWarrantOrRightTable_019fce11-0039-7dd1-b0fb-94d38a391de3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416_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_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-78ba-bd60-1018b761443c" 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_019fce11-0039-70f0-82ca-ab52e37bc416" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-78ba-bd60-1018b761443c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-0039-7e64-a9d0-9f2617beaa04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-0039-78ba-bd60-1018b761443c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-0039-7e64-a9d0-9f2617beaa04" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019fce11-0039-7f70-85a7-ae6195a82708" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019fce11-0039-7f70-85a7-ae6195a82708" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_019fce11-0039-7b37-97e2-eb7d8ea2d6ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts_019fce11-0039-7b37-97e2-eb7d8ea2d6ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentOfWarrantsGrantedForServices_019fce11-0039-70ae-96ff-127591916458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentOfWarrantsGrantedForServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentOfWarrantsGrantedForServices_019fce11-0039-70ae-96ff-127591916458" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements_019fce11-0039-738c-8c99-3485dc524ef7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightLineItems_019fce11-0039-777e-bf46-b0e83d92b4ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements_019fce11-0039-738c-8c99-3485dc524ef7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/RealEstateScheduleofAssetsandLiabilitiesHeldforSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#RealEstateScheduleofAssetsandLiabilitiesHeldforSaleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/RealEstateScheduleofAssetsandLiabilitiesHeldforSaleDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7263-be3b-050bde6bf2ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-70ff-8e29-f5e63dd365d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7263-be3b-050bde6bf2ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-70ff-8e29-f5e63dd365d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463" 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_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-70ff-8e29-f5e63dd365d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463_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_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-74f5-98b2-d60f0062ca42" 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_019fce11-0039-7ab3-9b81-4ff899f89463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-74f5-98b2-d60f0062ca42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019fce11-0039-7b6a-80cf-db4fb8b1358d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-74f5-98b2-d60f0062ca42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019fce11-0039-7b6a-80cf-db4fb8b1358d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7263-be3b-050bde6bf2ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRealEstateNet_019fce11-0039-7af8-ac2d-c43a08ff059b" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRealEstateNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRealEstateNet_019fce11-0039-7af8-ac2d-c43a08ff059b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019fce11-0039-7fb2-abc8-2c397f25cc1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019fce11-0039-7fb2-abc8-2c397f25cc1b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets_019fce11-0039-7e10-98bb-d0c4a716675e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets_019fce11-0039-7e10-98bb-d0c4a716675e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredCostsAndOtherAssetsNet_019fce11-0039-7119-99d0-50f9fa1d8ae6" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredCostsAndOtherAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationDeferredCostsAndOtherAssetsNet_019fce11-0039-7119-99d0-50f9fa1d8ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-716a-926f-9c0de0023a21" 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_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7159-8bee-8a3e3361267f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-716a-926f-9c0de0023a21" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7954-b48d-c744e33f6a12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7263-be3b-050bde6bf2ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7954-b48d-c744e33f6a12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019fce11-0039-725e-8a0b-17c6f188a526" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7954-b48d-c744e33f6a12" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseLiabilities_019fce11-0039-725e-8a0b-17c6f188a526" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7528-8783-f6d730039a33" 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_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019fce11-0039-7954-b48d-c744e33f6a12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019fce11-0039-7528-8783-f6d730039a33" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/RealEstateScheduleofDispositionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#RealEstateScheduleofDispositionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/RealEstateScheduleofDispositionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7b4e-b5b3-0dd757d88c0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-7a8e-8bc4-becfa51b7b60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7b4e-b5b3-0dd757d88c0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-7a8e-8bc4-becfa51b7b60" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3" 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_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-7a8e-8bc4-becfa51b7b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3_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_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-7ee3-80d7-2a3e6ac8db00" 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_019fce11-0039-787c-8bfa-bdea75c899c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019fce11-0039-7ee3-80d7-2a3e6ac8db00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019fce11-0039-70ae-b8ef-5cc856c823ed" 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_019fce11-0039-7ee3-80d7-2a3e6ac8db00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019fce11-0039-70ae-b8ef-5cc856c823ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3" 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_RealEstateTable_019fce11-0039-7a8e-8bc4-becfa51b7b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3_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_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" 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_019fce11-0039-70e7-b09b-5a8a0b187ee3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_GeorgetownMember_019fce11-0039-7175-8547-8863604da6b0" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_GeorgetownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_GeorgetownMember_019fce11-0039-7175-8547-8863604da6b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-7bb9-bdae-efc0885d8bd2" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TuckernuckMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-7bb9-bdae-efc0885d8bd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SurreyPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-7573-8bfd-feb95a1bf972" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SurreyPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SurreyPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-7573-8bfd-feb95a1bf972" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DarienShoppingCenterMember_019fce11-0039-7177-87cf-a04b1d27f047" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DarienShoppingCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DarienShoppingCenterMember_019fce11-0039-7177-87cf-a04b1d27f047" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_St.GeorgePlazaOutparcelMember_019fce11-0039-7717-b2cd-b6590b202b26" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_St.GeorgePlazaOutparcelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_St.GeorgePlazaOutparcelMember_019fce11-0039-7717-b2cd-b6590b202b26" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RidgelandMember_019fce11-0039-7212-a720-0f4856fec0c9" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RidgelandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RidgelandMember_019fce11-0039-7212-a720-0f4856fec0c9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_MoncksCornerMember_019fce11-0039-7cde-aff4-b64dbe2c8855" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_MoncksCornerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_MoncksCornerMember_019fce11-0039-7cde-aff4-b64dbe2c8855" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WinslowPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-7fb7-aaa8-ca0fc314bec2" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WinslowPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WinslowPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-7fb7-aaa8-ca0fc314bec2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DevineStreerMember_019fce11-0039-70c2-8926-49a87423d1bb" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DevineStreerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DevineStreerMember_019fce11-0039-70c2-8926-49a87423d1bb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_AmscotBuildingMember_019fce11-0039-7169-8cff-6657a5aa94b8" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_AmscotBuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_AmscotBuildingMember_019fce11-0039-7169-8cff-6657a5aa94b8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_OregonAvenueMember_019fce11-0039-7c3a-a1c9-666434f14ac7" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_OregonAvenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_OregonAvenueMember_019fce11-0039-7c3a-a1c9-666434f14ac7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SouthLakeMember_019fce11-0039-77b6-a5fb-2e67e3c23d8c" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SouthLakeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SouthLakeMember_019fce11-0039-77b6-a5fb-2e67e3c23d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WebsterCommonsMember_019fce11-0039-770a-a332-74023b1475e6" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WebsterCommonsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7c45-b734-4776392b9ff8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WebsterCommonsMember_019fce11-0039-770a-a332-74023b1475e6" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019fce11-0039-7346-a05a-d4bcd3614a80" 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_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7b4e-b5b3-0dd757d88c0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019fce11-0039-7346-a05a-d4bcd3614a80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_019fce11-0039-7dbc-86e7-2ae537719f80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7b4e-b5b3-0dd757d88c0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupNotDiscontinuedOperationGainLossOnDisposal_019fce11-0039-7dbc-86e7-2ae537719f80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019fce11-0039-7681-a566-7ee0a28e2383" 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_RealEstateLineItems_019fce11-0039-7b4e-b5b3-0dd757d88c0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019fce11-0039-7681-a566-7ee0a28e2383" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/InvestmentSecuritiesRelatedPartyDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#InvestmentSecuritiesRelatedPartyDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/InvestmentSecuritiesRelatedPartyDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7ed3-912d-2b1f1835ad7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7dbc-9bf7-2bfb5e2908cf" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7ed3-912d-2b1f1835ad7f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-0039-7a85-9106-409e59d2f27e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7ed3-912d-2b1f1835ad7f" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-0039-7a85-9106-409e59d2f27e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1_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_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-0039-79be-bf54-031aa33d4878" 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_019fce11-0039-7c4f-ac9b-4e6dfcfc7fb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-0039-79be-bf54-031aa33d4878" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-0039-7a32-9c55-7c1a2f75be67" 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_019fce11-0039-79be-bf54-031aa33d4878" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-0039-7a32-9c55-7c1a2f75be67" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb_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_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7b90-962c-6a7f5a91fb32" 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_019fce11-0039-7da1-8939-09e84a8326cb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7b90-962c-6a7f5a91fb32" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StilwellValueLLCMember_019fce11-0039-798b-aef3-eba1e6d89e6f" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StilwellValueLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7b90-962c-6a7f5a91fb32" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StilwellValueLLCMember_019fce11-0039-798b-aef3-eba1e6d89e6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_019fce11-0039-7fcd-89ff-75bad74de8d8" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11_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_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-0039-7807-814e-890c31b66d36" 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_019fce11-0039-7173-9e14-b98fdd1b5f11" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-0039-7807-814e-890c31b66d36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-0039-797c-aa7b-d95758ab38d1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-0039-7807-814e-890c31b66d36" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-0039-797c-aa7b-d95758ab38d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-714e-baaf-3281842ff6ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-714e-baaf-3281842ff6ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSecurities_019fce11-0039-74f7-a7d2-7921f1b552ef" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSecurities_019fce11-0039-74f7-a7d2-7921f1b552ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSubsidiarySecurities_019fce11-0039-7c91-8587-d4dc4dc6de5d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSubsidiarySecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RelatedPartyTransactionEquityMethodInvestmentPercentageOfInvestorSubsidiarySecurities_019fce11-0039-7c91-8587-d4dc4dc6de5d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesQuarterlyBaseRate_019fce11-0039-7ff3-abee-e29f8f121747" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesQuarterlyBaseRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesQuarterlyBaseRate_019fce11-0039-7ff3-abee-e29f8f121747" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesAnnualBaseRate_019fce11-0039-7917-a70b-8bcb6f8933c0" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesAnnualBaseRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ManagementAndServiceFeesAnnualBaseRate_019fce11-0039-7917-a70b-8bcb6f8933c0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementAndServiceFeesIncentiveRate_019fce11-0039-7dd7-9836-a7c72753a69a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementAndServiceFeesIncentiveRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementAndServiceFeesIncentiveRate_019fce11-0039-7dd7-9836-a7c72753a69a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-71e4-ad07-9cfc068bf144" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_019fce11-0039-71e4-ad07-9cfc068bf144" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-7fb9-b5bd-c4825ef97858" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_019fce11-0039-725a-af47-2b6c8ea6e818" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_019fce11-0039-7fb9-b5bd-c4825ef97858" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/DeferredCostsandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofDeferredCostsandOtherAssetsNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#DeferredCostsandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofDeferredCostsandOtherAssetsNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/DeferredCostsandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofDeferredCostsandOtherAssetsNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019fce11-0039-71e4-893d-2178dbe76521" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019fce11-0039-71e4-893d-2178dbe76521" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791" 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_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019fce11-0039-71e4-893d-2178dbe76521" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791_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_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7d7c-82c9-7c24742fc577" 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_019fce11-0039-765d-86d6-c81c51e15791" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7d7c-82c9-7c24742fc577" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_019fce11-0039-70bd-ae37-4e1a0cc774b3" 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_019fce11-0039-7d7c-82c9-7c24742fc577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_019fce11-0039-70bd-ae37-4e1a0cc774b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_GroundLeaseSandwichInterestMember_019fce11-0039-72a1-ba77-98ee351ec1ec" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_GroundLeaseSandwichInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7d7c-82c9-7c24742fc577" xlink:to="loc_whlr_GroundLeaseSandwichInterestMember_019fce11-0039-72a1-ba77-98ee351ec1ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LegalAndMarketingMember_019fce11-0039-79f9-9450-f53706a2bb0c" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LegalAndMarketingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7d7c-82c9-7c24742fc577" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LegalAndMarketingMember_019fce11-0039-79f9-9450-f53706a2bb0c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets_019fce11-0039-7695-8105-607edc3e9058" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAndOtherAssets_019fce11-0039-7695-8105-607edc3e9058" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet_019fce11-0039-75c7-82af-b0f180a47f94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsLeasingNet_019fce11-0039-75c7-82af-b0f180a47f94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TenantRelationships_019fce11-0039-716c-879e-27414260272a" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TenantRelationships"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TenantRelationships_019fce11-0039-716c-879e-27414260272a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent_019fce11-0039-766d-9114-3ad7f0369d08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019fce11-0039-7571-a95e-fdf979198ee0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrentAndNoncurrent_019fce11-0039-766d-9114-3ad7f0369d08" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetScheduleofLoansPayableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#LoansPayablenetScheduleofLoansPayableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetScheduleofLoansPayableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" 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_019fce11-0039-7f3f-9151-29ba132f3165" 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_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-7f3f-9151-29ba132f3165" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a" 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_019fce11-0039-7f3f-9151-29ba132f3165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a_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_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" 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_019fce11-0039-76ba-aa50-37035a2abc9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_August2025CedarStagedAdvancedCreditFacilityMember_019fce11-0039-7ccb-967a-acb5bdeed668" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_August2025CedarStagedAdvancedCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_August2025CedarStagedAdvancedCreditFacilityMember_019fce11-0039-7ccb-967a-acb5bdeed668" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_April2025CedarBridgeLoanMember_019fce11-0039-745d-be79-ba9d518f4e56" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_April2025CedarBridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_April2025CedarBridgeLoanMember_019fce11-0039-745d-be79-ba9d518f4e56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-765b-a55b-c7cd20392a27" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TuckernuckMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-765b-a55b-c7cd20392a27" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TimpanyPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-765d-aae2-4c543cca7988" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TimpanyPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TimpanyPlazaMember_019fce11-0039-765d-aae2-4c543cca7988" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_VillageOfMartinsvilleMember_019fce11-0039-7975-a055-a1acffa1672d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_VillageOfMartinsvilleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_VillageOfMartinsvilleMember_019fce11-0039-7975-a055-a1acffa1672d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LaburnumSquareMember_019fce11-0039-75f9-8cc4-02d94c70f4b2" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LaburnumSquareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LaburnumSquareMember_019fce11-0039-75f9-8cc4-02d94c70f4b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RivergateMember_019fce11-0039-75f4-a4d4-0baa252e6836" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RivergateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RivergateMember_019fce11-0039-75f4-a4d4-0baa252e6836" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-0039-75ae-85c7-9c52ddaffbde" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-0039-75ae-85c7-9c52ddaffbde" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_June2022TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-70d9-a880-46b973348343" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_June2022TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_June2022TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-70d9-a880-46b973348343" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_JANAFLoanAgreementMember_019fce11-0039-7e72-93e8-ff6dd96dfb79" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_JANAFLoanAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_JANAFLoanAgreementMember_019fce11-0039-7e72-93e8-ff6dd96dfb79" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_October2022CedarTermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-776c-91ad-01d6811c4ab4" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_October2022CedarTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_October2022CedarTermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-776c-91ad-01d6811c4ab4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PatuxentCrossingColiseumMarketplaceLoanAgreementMember_019fce11-0039-72e2-ba93-a8f8ce902b2d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PatuxentCrossingColiseumMarketplaceLoanAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PatuxentCrossingColiseumMarketplaceLoanAgreementMember_019fce11-0039-72e2-ba93-a8f8ce902b2d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_May2023TermLoan1Member_019fce11-0039-7270-bf1a-96d08ccb7259" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_May2023TermLoan1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_May2023TermLoan1Member_019fce11-0039-7270-bf1a-96d08ccb7259" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_May2023TermLoan2Member_019fce11-0039-7735-92e0-e4c652464815" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_May2023TermLoan2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_May2023TermLoan2Member_019fce11-0039-7735-92e0-e4c652464815" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_June2024TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-76cb-b282-eb0d81ea1516" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_June2024TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-73a0-8b2f-9d246cdc443e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_June2024TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-76cb-b282-eb0d81ea1516" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db" 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_019fce11-0039-7f3f-9151-29ba132f3165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db_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_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7d9a-8a35-bb7b6fe14d9a" 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_019fce11-0039-7783-9aef-21a753f280db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7d9a-8a35-bb7b6fe14d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-0039-7874-b445-989bc4ef1745" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7d9a-8a35-bb7b6fe14d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-0039-7874-b445-989bc4ef1745" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019fce11-0039-7551-8ce9-87e35e4c43b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-0039-7d9a-8a35-bb7b6fe14d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019fce11-0039-7551-8ce9-87e35e4c43b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-7f3f-9151-29ba132f3165" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b_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_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-0039-736a-81dd-442e79806f55" 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_019fce11-0039-7352-b6dc-1ee5416df10b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-0039-736a-81dd-442e79806f55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019fce11-0039-731b-987a-e5b9443f05c3" 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_019fce11-0039-736a-81dd-442e79806f55" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019fce11-0039-731b-987a-e5b9443f05c3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_019fce11-0039-72b6-b565-3de02277a598" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_019fce11-0039-72b6-b565-3de02277a598" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019fce11-0039-75f9-a670-67f22d933ccd" 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_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019fce11-0039-75f9-a670-67f22d933ccd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019fce11-0039-7d67-9a00-5c89f1f00be4" 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_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019fce11-0039-7d67-9a00-5c89f1f00be4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019fce11-0039-7185-9775-4c6935c43f5b" 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_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019fce11-0039-7185-9775-4c6935c43f5b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019fce11-0039-71d4-8e06-a02870849c8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019fce11-0039-71d4-8e06-a02870849c8b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019fce11-0039-7416-bc1a-8850e2ee930d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019fce11-0039-7416-bc1a-8850e2ee930d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019fce11-0039-72e3-bb46-467883b8d6ee" 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_019fce11-0039-7eb7-a757-ea73fcb15618" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019fce11-0039-72e3-bb46-467883b8d6ee" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#LoansPayablenetAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" 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_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" 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_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b" 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_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b_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_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" 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_019fce11-0039-7199-9fbd-7cbe9c68ac1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_June2022TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-734d-82cc-6348695e5ae3" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_June2022TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" xlink:to="loc_whlr_June2022TermLoanMember_019fce11-0039-734d-82cc-6348695e5ae3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-70cd-9f16-347215623341" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TuckernuckMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TuckernuckMember_019fce11-0039-70cd-9f16-347215623341" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_August2025CedarCreditFacilityMember_019fce11-003a-79bd-b045-1da13a1cd6c1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_August2025CedarCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" xlink:to="loc_whlr_August2025CedarCreditFacilityMember_019fce11-003a-79bd-b045-1da13a1cd6c1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-003a-7e44-a2f2-06b13cadfe6e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-0039-7e55-b428-fecbdf7794ea" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-003a-7e44-a2f2-06b13cadfe6e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8" 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_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8_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_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7826-b94c-8be982f5cebf" 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_019fce11-003a-7bb9-8ec5-aa326d19bcb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7826-b94c-8be982f5cebf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019fce11-003a-7d48-8b2c-9d723265eba4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7826-b94c-8be982f5cebf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019fce11-003a-7d48-8b2c-9d723265eba4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019fce11-003a-7cbc-b522-14030a996949" 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_019fce11-003a-7826-b94c-8be982f5cebf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019fce11-003a-7cbc-b522-14030a996949" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-003a-7859-a177-bdbff0091380" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7826-b94c-8be982f5cebf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-003a-7859-a177-bdbff0091380" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579_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_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-003a-7ecf-9193-9ab6c9bdcaf1" 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_019fce11-003a-7b95-a3f1-f54662565579" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-003a-7ecf-9193-9ab6c9bdcaf1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-003a-791c-94fd-87a3656bcf6d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_019fce11-003a-7ecf-9193-9ab6c9bdcaf1" xlink:to="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-003a-791c-94fd-87a3656bcf6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e_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_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-71ba-a7cb-7d032d1bd202" 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_019fce11-003a-7d5a-8201-8a595fde766e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-71ba-a7cb-7d032d1bd202" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-003a-7ea9-a827-c476841db719" 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_019fce11-003a-71ba-a7cb-7d032d1bd202" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-003a-7ea9-a827-c476841db719" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882_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_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-003a-7acc-83ff-976350976603" 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_019fce11-003a-78ba-b8a3-55186e2be882" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-003a-7acc-83ff-976350976603" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-003a-7599-9842-3ca17e6d99ec" 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_019fce11-003a-7acc-83ff-976350976603" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-003a-7599-9842-3ca17e6d99ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-0039-718b-a806-5b01b42f5857" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd_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_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019fce11-003a-7c43-a8c3-4f62d11a838d" 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_019fce11-003a-7552-9040-becc760460cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_019fce11-003a-7c43-a8c3-4f62d11a838d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7d94-805a-07dbcbff8fa5" 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_019fce11-003a-7c43-a8c3-4f62d11a838d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7d94-805a-07dbcbff8fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7b80-9db6-e60440470303" 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_019fce11-003a-7d94-805a-07dbcbff8fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-7b80-9db6-e60440470303" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-71d7-8e00-306ef6e526d6" 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_019fce11-003a-7d94-805a-07dbcbff8fa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_019fce11-003a-71d7-8e00-306ef6e526d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019fce11-003a-7ed2-83db-81184d0ab07a" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019fce11-003a-7ed2-83db-81184d0ab07a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremium_019fce11-003a-756a-baef-567bcc7935a9" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremium_019fce11-003a-756a-baef-567bcc7935a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019fce11-003a-762a-8550-58e59b276e7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_019fce11-003a-762a-8550-58e59b276e7c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019fce11-003a-7d27-b303-8e274751072c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019fce11-003a-7d27-b303-8e274751072c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LineOfCreditFutureBorrowingCapacityReduction_019fce11-003a-7632-b2e4-0e0ff0bd7a5c" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LineOfCreditFutureBorrowingCapacityReduction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LineOfCreditFutureBorrowingCapacityReduction_019fce11-003a-7632-b2e4-0e0ff0bd7a5c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019fce11-003a-7ae6-8156-6a138029796e" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019fce11-003a-7ae6-8156-6a138029796e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-003a-7164-90b2-9882bbc44578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-003a-7164-90b2-9882bbc44578" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfSharePerPrincipalRight_019fce11-003a-7076-a11e-0577aa6a8c1e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfSharePerPrincipalRight"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfSharePerPrincipalRight_019fce11-003a-7076-a11e-0577aa6a8c1e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfPrincipalRight_019fce11-003a-7e97-baab-dc6ed1543217" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfPrincipalRight"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleAmountOfPrincipalRight_019fce11-003a-7e97-baab-dc6ed1543217" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-003a-7e5b-9958-465e9d782936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-003a-7e5b-9958-465e9d782936" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-003a-7a44-bc13-286e4c220692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities_019fce11-003a-7a44-bc13-286e4c220692" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1_019fce11-003a-72c1-947b-38f6c89ad55f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentAmount1_019fce11-003a-72c1-947b-38f6c89ad55f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_GainLossOnConversionOfConvertibleNotes_019fce11-003a-777e-9551-39c23778bae1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_GainLossOnConversionOfConvertibleNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_GainLossOnConversionOfConvertibleNotes_019fce11-003a-777e-9551-39c23778bae1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019fce11-003a-7e80-899d-99c308133df8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019fce11-003a-7e80-899d-99c308133df8" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures_019fce11-003a-7678-a3ca-55564100d151" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-753e-b898-12e6666ee05b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtFairValueDisclosures_019fce11-003a-7678-a3ca-55564100d151" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetScheduleofInterestrelatedtotheConvertibleNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#LoansPayablenetScheduleofInterestrelatedtotheConvertibleNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/LoansPayablenetScheduleofInterestrelatedtotheConvertibleNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" 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_019fce11-003a-746a-8fb8-5796f4238ff2" 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_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-003a-746a-8fb8-5796f4238ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-003a-746a-8fb8-5796f4238ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0_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_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-7c51-8a7d-9d1d4f17e169" 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_019fce11-003a-75a2-8de8-bdc8a05bddd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-003a-7c51-8a7d-9d1d4f17e169" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-003a-7a57-bd8d-3db0b34293dc" 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_019fce11-003a-7c51-8a7d-9d1d4f17e169" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-003a-7a57-bd8d-3db0b34293dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-003a-7f49-a399-8d5e51bcc074" 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_019fce11-003a-7c51-8a7d-9d1d4f17e169" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-003a-7f49-a399-8d5e51bcc074" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52" 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_019fce11-003a-746a-8fb8-5796f4238ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52_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_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-003a-7128-a145-818d168dc14e" 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_019fce11-003a-72fa-a52b-3dcae7ad9d52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-003a-7128-a145-818d168dc14e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-003a-734f-9e1b-6e9b257be499" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-003a-7128-a145-818d168dc14e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-003a-734f-9e1b-6e9b257be499" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5" 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_019fce11-003a-746a-8fb8-5796f4238ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5_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_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7226-93c3-9bca50f3bf65" 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_019fce11-003a-7c3f-a419-5c5a89c0c4d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7226-93c3-9bca50f3bf65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-003a-71e7-8851-09c8806563f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-003a-7226-93c3-9bca50f3bf65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-003a-71e7-8851-09c8806563f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019fce11-003a-7148-b2c0-c61435f9c576" 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_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019fce11-003a-7148-b2c0-c61435f9c576" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PaymentOfInterestExpenseShares_019fce11-003a-707e-b825-72f2f64a86b6" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PaymentOfInterestExpenseShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PaymentOfInterestExpenseShares_019fce11-003a-707e-b825-72f2f64a86b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestOnConvertibleDebtNetOfTax_019fce11-003a-7c62-9877-612fc7d7c5ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestOnConvertibleDebtNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestOnConvertibleDebtNetOfTax_019fce11-003a-7c62-9877-612fc7d7c5ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_InterestExpenseAdjustedForVWAPDiscount_019fce11-003a-72a6-aff3-dcc4df5bc11c" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_InterestExpenseAdjustedForVWAPDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_whlr_InterestExpenseAdjustedForVWAPDiscount_019fce11-003a-72a6-aff3-dcc4df5bc11c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_019fce11-003a-7347-9284-a8fa5730daef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-003a-75a5-9f76-e063ebbb74d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndDebtExpense_019fce11-003a-7347-9284-a8fa5730daef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#DerivativeLiabilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" 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_019fce11-00de-75b2-9698-19ca31b12b9b" 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_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-00de-75b2-9698-19ca31b12b9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-00de-75b2-9698-19ca31b12b9b" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d_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_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7993-ab6f-23a9181688e5" 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_019fce11-00de-7afa-bc46-b85d1347f96d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7993-ab6f-23a9181688e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_FinancingAgreementMember_019fce11-00de-731e-a487-122a9116d073" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_FinancingAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7993-ab6f-23a9181688e5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_FinancingAgreementMember_019fce11-00de-731e-a487-122a9116d073" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019fce11-00de-75b2-9698-19ca31b12b9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7103-89da-cdfccb6022ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightAxis_019fce11-00de-7ff8-8d61-d8fc236c69dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7103-89da-cdfccb6022ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheAMember_019fce11-00de-7976-8afa-b662e835ffcb" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WarrantTrancheAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7103-89da-cdfccb6022ad" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheAMember_019fce11-00de-7976-8afa-b662e835ffcb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheBMember_019fce11-00de-76f2-a194-613ea137f32b" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WarrantTrancheBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7103-89da-cdfccb6022ad" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheBMember_019fce11-00de-76f2-a194-613ea137f32b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheCMember_019fce11-00de-7b6d-824a-0cd409be9286" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WarrantTrancheCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightDomain_019fce11-00de-7103-89da-cdfccb6022ad" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WarrantTrancheCMember_019fce11-00de-7b6d-824a-0cd409be9286" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-00de-7d23-9a10-7d4418f401c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-00de-7d23-9a10-7d4418f401c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_WarrantsInAggregatePercentageOfSharesOfCommonStock_019fce11-00de-7672-8f3f-0d9eae517b9e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_WarrantsInAggregatePercentageOfSharesOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_whlr_WarrantsInAggregatePercentageOfSharesOfCommonStock_019fce11-00de-7672-8f3f-0d9eae517b9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1_019fce11-00de-7452-8ccb-449aee762576" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisePriceOfWarrantsOrRights1_019fce11-00de-7452-8ccb-449aee762576" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_019fce11-00de-7816-986f-ff8615b2dc03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_019fce11-00de-7816-986f-ff8615b2dc03" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants_019fce11-00de-75b3-879d-a3a083b4d8fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants_019fce11-00de-75b3-879d-a3a083b4d8fb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ClassOfWarrantsOrRightLossOnExercise_019fce11-00de-7874-9882-935c01135759" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ClassOfWarrantsOrRightLossOnExercise"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019fce11-00de-7412-bff6-f0478be99455" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ClassOfWarrantsOrRightLossOnExercise_019fce11-00de-7874-9882-935c01135759" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofMultinomialLatticeModelDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofMultinomialLatticeModelDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofMultinomialLatticeModelDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" 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_019fce11-00de-7560-a752-83a11d8c3f85" 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_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7560-a752-83a11d8c3f85" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c" 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_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7560-a752-83a11d8c3f85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c_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_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7161-a7a8-4811365315cd" 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_019fce11-00de-793a-8247-c85cdd28224c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7161-a7a8-4811365315cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-00de-7e0f-ad73-2e420916f7a5" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7161-a7a8-4811365315cd" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fce11-00de-7e0f-ad73-2e420916f7a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7" 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_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7560-a752-83a11d8c3f85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7_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_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7cda-a19d-e869c3e03d2c" 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_019fce11-00de-7ad9-acf1-b9b5637df6f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7cda-a19d-e869c3e03d2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7f9b-903a-a570ee1bc0b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7cda-a19d-e869c3e03d2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7f9b-903a-a570ee1bc0b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7560-a752-83a11d8c3f85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-746f-bc67-61ce6b966def" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputSharePriceMember_019fce11-00de-70d0-9aa3-2110cd01ffab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputSharePriceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputSharePriceMember_019fce11-00de-70d0-9aa3-2110cd01ffab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember_019fce11-00de-7366-86a9-0dd138a4e775" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputExpectedTermMember_019fce11-00de-7366-86a9-0dd138a4e775" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember_019fce11-00de-7f15-a08c-426ef37bf102" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember_019fce11-00de-7f15-a08c-426ef37bf102" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember_019fce11-00de-75a6-a8c8-1bbe18bda5b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputRiskFreeInterestRateMember_019fce11-00de-75a6-a8c8-1bbe18bda5b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_MeasurementInputTradedPricePercentOfParMember_019fce11-00de-7b5a-966a-a307f46c9568" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_MeasurementInputTradedPricePercentOfParMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7513-9729-499cbd8daf9a" xlink:to="loc_whlr_MeasurementInputTradedPricePercentOfParMember_019fce11-00de-7b5a-966a-a307f46c9568" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-00de-7e79-ba67-bd6f0e3761f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fce11-00de-7e79-ba67-bd6f0e3761f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_019fce11-00de-7255-9012-4b333e1dec46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityMeasurementInput_019fce11-00de-7255-9012-4b333e1dec46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionTradingPeriod_019fce11-00de-7961-85cc-994ea3ea8588" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionTradingPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionTradingPeriod_019fce11-00de-7961-85cc-994ea3ea8588" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionDiscount_019fce11-00de-7923-a58b-d1df0de6e462" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionDiscount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7a0e-a06d-2dc71e5ec8cb" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionDiscount_019fce11-00de-7923-a58b-d1df0de6e462" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofChangesinFairValueoftheDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofChangesinFairValueoftheDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/DerivativeLiabilitiesScheduleofChangesinFairValueoftheDerivativeLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-711d-9366-f7cbc83a5ea1" 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_019fce11-00de-7dbd-954b-1ba9c392bcb4" 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_019fce11-00de-711d-9366-f7cbc83a5ea1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7dbd-954b-1ba9c392bcb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_019fce11-00de-7dbd-954b-1ba9c392bcb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7e72-87d6-e88ad91e186a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_019fce11-00de-7ee8-aa70-c0e0f436830f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7e72-87d6-e88ad91e186a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-00de-740b-b08a-ecc741a62580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7e72-87d6-e88ad91e186a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_019fce11-00de-740b-b08a-ecc741a62580" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7f6f-8817-d0c5c81bc56e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_019fce11-00de-7e72-87d6-e88ad91e186a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7f6f-8817-d0c5c81bc56e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_019fce11-00de-7853-9d44-c072d40e1e55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationLineItems_019fce11-00de-711d-9366-f7cbc83a5ea1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_019fce11-00de-7853-9d44-c072d40e1e55" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019fce11-00de-7bcc-9fa6-997fac6c3c6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_019fce11-00de-7853-9d44-c072d40e1e55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019fce11-00de-7bcc-9fa6-997fac6c3c6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019fce11-00de-7f1d-baf3-cd0ddf792628" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueNetDerivativeAssetLiabilityMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationRollForward_019fce11-00de-7853-9d44-c072d40e1e55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_019fce11-00de-7f1d-baf3-cd0ddf792628" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue_019fce11-00de-7ae3-9117-01ae1b94b51c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationsRecurringBasisLiabilityValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019fce11-00de-7ae8-bc1a-1c8339ccd160" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019fce11-00de-7ae8-bc1a-1c8339ccd160" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41" 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_LossContingenciesTable_019fce11-00de-7ae8-bc1a-1c8339ccd160" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41_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_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7a3d-b48e-53f3a5bd894b" 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_019fce11-00de-7fc5-b267-5e0fdd33bc41" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7a3d-b48e-53f3a5bd894b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019fce11-00de-71d3-83d8-a9cc2192a727" 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_019fce11-00de-7a3d-b48e-53f3a5bd894b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019fce11-00de-71d3-83d8-a9cc2192a727" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019fce11-00de-72a7-943d-84e7599d8957" 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_019fce11-00de-7a3d-b48e-53f3a5bd894b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019fce11-00de-72a7-943d-84e7599d8957" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewOptions_019fce11-00de-77be-95de-cb8810ec3242" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewOptions_019fce11-00de-77be-95de-cb8810ec3242" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_019fce11-00de-70e3-a4aa-69e7f288fe9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_019fce11-00de-70e3-a4aa-69e7f288fe9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_019fce11-00de-774f-82ee-3084617c221b" 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_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_019fce11-00de-774f-82ee-3084617c221b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_019fce11-00de-7189-babc-e6714d7bcbfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_019fce11-00de-7189-babc-e6714d7bcbfc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_019fce11-00de-7b68-bab3-4a7ac6867837" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_019fce11-00de-7b68-bab3-4a7ac6867837" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue_019fce11-00de-7b5e-b6c2-7e98eaf4752e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue_019fce11-00de-7b5e-b6c2-7e98eaf4752e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_019fce11-00de-7aa2-83c7-6aa6c7a35d61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019fce11-00de-714b-825d-fed171f7472e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_019fce11-00de-7aa2-83c7-6aa6c7a35d61" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/RentalRevenueandTenantReceivablesScheduleofDisaggregationofCompanysRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#RentalRevenueandTenantReceivablesScheduleofDisaggregationofCompanysRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/RentalRevenueandTenantReceivablesScheduleofDisaggregationofCompanysRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019fce11-00de-742a-8e7c-55dfc0fc25a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019fce11-00de-742a-8e7c-55dfc0fc25a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019fce11-00de-742a-8e7c-55dfc0fc25a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019fce11-00de-7d5e-a9f6-0b244c728377" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_BaseRentMember_019fce11-00de-7e53-a9fc-01e0ea9858f1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_BaseRentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_BaseRentMember_019fce11-00de-7e53-a9fc-01e0ea9858f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TenantReimbursementsMember_019fce11-00de-7ce4-9ed7-94fce4dfc5dd" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TenantReimbursementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TenantReimbursementsMember_019fce11-00de-7ce4-9ed7-94fce4dfc5dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PercentageRentMember_019fce11-00de-7cd9-85df-a7efe8e7449e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PercentageRentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PercentageRentMember_019fce11-00de-7cd9-85df-a7efe8e7449e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LeaseTerminationFeesMember_019fce11-00de-7784-b9ae-4c1bd2f61706" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LeaseTerminationFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LeaseTerminationFeesMember_019fce11-00de-7784-b9ae-4c1bd2f61706" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_OtherServicesMember_019fce11-00de-7506-a7b0-1be413bf979b" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_OtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019fce11-00de-7060-b7c4-1356c6128bc8" xlink:to="loc_whlr_OtherServicesMember_019fce11-00de-7506-a7b0-1be413bf979b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019fce11-00de-79d6-a5d3-617d2c4416c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019fce11-00de-79d6-a5d3-617d2c4416c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_019fce11-00de-7a03-97bb-45dd1c10c673" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_019fce11-00de-7a03-97bb-45dd1c10c673" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments_019fce11-00de-7e61-b91f-87eae1f3a256" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomeLeasePayments_019fce11-00de-7e61-b91f-87eae1f3a256" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableLeaseIncome_019fce11-00de-7a70-a609-b28cc31e67b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableLeaseIncome_019fce11-00de-7a70-a609-b28cc31e67b9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RevenuesGross_019fce11-00de-7e94-aaa7-27a66578778f" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RevenuesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RevenuesGross_019fce11-00de-7e94-aaa7-27a66578778f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_019fce11-00de-738b-a703-5713f6e3b717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_019fce11-00de-738b-a703-5713f6e3b717" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-7f76-8dae-041c0e481ce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019fce11-00de-716d-a639-50c5a6176cd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-7f76-8dae-041c0e481ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#EquityandMezzanineEquityAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_EquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_EquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2_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_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7465-b132-30d15a528c12" 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_019fce11-00de-7299-8aeb-11d515a9d4a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7465-b132-30d15a528c12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fce11-00de-7426-af06-4d87819a3947" 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_019fce11-00de-7465-b132-30d15a528c12" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fce11-00de-7426-af06-4d87819a3947" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d_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_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" 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_019fce11-00de-72f0-b654-49a36cf91e0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7edb-81b9-de678bda0da9" 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_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7edb-81b9-de678bda0da9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7233-b9d1-1991b5399bf4" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7233-b9d1-1991b5399bf4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7d3d-a1c7-43f8993a03cb" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7d3d-a1c7-43f8993a03cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7a1a-ad87-d73fd2423ac0" 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_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7a1a-ad87-d73fd2423ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7524-b982-01f9f4e1dd10" 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_019fce11-00de-7e6c-bb6a-62ba1f40a224" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7524-b982-01f9f4e1dd10" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13_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_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-7b96-bb03-57c06089ac88" 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_019fce11-00de-7cab-a1e7-331f552f4e13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-7b96-bb03-57c06089ac88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-00de-7621-923b-5fb96a6c126a" 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_019fce11-00de-7b96-bb03-57c06089ac88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-00de-7621-923b-5fb96a6c126a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember_019fce11-00de-7703-bd1a-fbdc6c006b54" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-7b96-bb03-57c06089ac88" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedSubsidiaryMember_019fce11-00de-7703-bd1a-fbdc6c006b54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91_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_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7f9a-abc5-3375fa17c08d" 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_019fce11-00de-713e-9ec3-e22831a0bf91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7f9a-abc5-3375fa17c08d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDueMember_019fce11-00de-798b-8fe9-ea7f5042d07d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7f9a-abc5-3375fa17c08d" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDueMember_019fce11-00de-798b-8fe9-ea7f5042d07d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50_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_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-77dd-9604-5eb475a5b6fc" 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_019fce11-00de-73ca-a126-9b9b29e13f50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-77dd-9604-5eb475a5b6fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7fc1-b421-ce18120b341f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-77dd-9604-5eb475a5b6fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fce11-00de-7fc1-b421-ce18120b341f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7061-9536-597d2d9c80ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673_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_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7664-9e16-38707f5fc651" 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_019fce11-00de-7ebd-9d5e-4fad74662673" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7664-9e16-38707f5fc651" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_019fce11-00de-74fb-a07c-03ce13324672" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_WeightedAverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_019fce11-00de-7664-9e16-38707f5fc651" xlink:to="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_019fce11-00de-74fb-a07c-03ce13324672" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019fce11-00de-76cc-b991-a603c6520319" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1_019fce11-00de-76cc-b991-a603c6520319" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DeemedContributionRelatedToPreferredStockExchanges_019fce11-00de-73d0-81cf-093a629a6c38" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DeemedContributionRelatedToPreferredStockExchanges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DeemedContributionRelatedToPreferredStockExchanges_019fce11-00de-73d0-81cf-093a629a6c38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesAuthorized_019fce11-00de-7fe5-90c9-9415e7ffa390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesAuthorized_019fce11-00de-7fe5-90c9-9415e7ffa390" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreferencePerShare_019fce11-00de-7967-8cf0-c1a9b36ee8a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreferencePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreferencePerShare_019fce11-00de-7967-8cf0-c1a9b36ee8a3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreference_019fce11-00de-7d24-9506-80fc93043495" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLiquidationPreference_019fce11-00de-7d24-9506-80fc93043495" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionPricePerShare_019fce11-00de-7b24-ab4c-ac43244cc888" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionPricePerShare_019fce11-00de-7b24-ab4c-ac43244cc888" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-77e8-ace2-f0c348cf7203" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-77e8-ace2-f0c348cf7203" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fce11-00de-7d4e-bdcb-5cc226dd28ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fce11-00de-7d4e-bdcb-5cc226dd28ab" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_019fce11-00de-7470-bf37-f15cf9851c85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_019fce11-00de-7470-bf37-f15cf9851c85" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdConsecutiveTradingDays1_019fce11-00de-747e-90ad-b1df2f0dc23d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdConsecutiveTradingDays1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleThresholdConsecutiveTradingDays1_019fce11-00de-747e-90ad-b1df2f0dc23d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StockRequestedToRedemptionDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-7842-a46e-6abf8f92f54e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StockRequestedToRedemptionDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StockRequestedToRedemptionDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-7842-a46e-6abf8f92f54e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount_019fce11-00de-717c-9fa2-1c435f819ba4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount_019fce11-00de-717c-9fa2-1c435f819ba4" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_GainLossOnPreferredStockRedemptions_019fce11-00de-7f11-9082-525a3c06dd78" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_GainLossOnPreferredStockRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_GainLossOnPreferredStockRedemptions_019fce11-00de-7f11-9082-525a3c06dd78" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_019fce11-00de-7367-83ea-06a20bd2e824" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights_019fce11-00de-7367-83ea-06a20bd2e824" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DeemedDistributionRelatedToRepurchaseOfNoncontrollingInterests_019fce11-00de-7e3d-9dfc-1b8bb03f80e1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DeemedDistributionRelatedToRepurchaseOfNoncontrollingInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DeemedDistributionRelatedToRepurchaseOfNoncontrollingInterests_019fce11-00de-7e3d-9dfc-1b8bb03f80e1" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-730d-9ba2-db94efc524e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019fce11-00de-730d-9ba2-db94efc524e0" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NumberOfTenderOffers_019fce11-00de-78ae-b583-e3d247199309" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NumberOfTenderOffers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NumberOfTenderOffers_019fce11-00de-78ae-b583-e3d247199309" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-00de-7ba9-a147-19df0f291d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019fce11-00de-7ba9-a147-19df0f291d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_019fce11-00de-7505-85a5-cb034129a555" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockPricePerShare_019fce11-00de-7505-85a5-cb034129a555" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SaleOfStockBookValuePricePerShare_019fce11-00de-777c-8dd3-eacf8aa96734" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SaleOfStockBookValuePricePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SaleOfStockBookValuePricePerShare_019fce11-00de-777c-8dd3-eacf8aa96734" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PreferredStockAmountOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7d86-b648-e784ae375ba5" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PreferredStockAmountOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PreferredStockAmountOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7d86-b648-e784ae375ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PreferredStockPerShareAmountsOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7665-a557-55cc02d5f6a4" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PreferredStockPerShareAmountsOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PreferredStockPerShareAmountsOfCumulativePreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7665-a557-55cc02d5f6a4" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PreferredStockPercentageOfCumulativePreferredDividends_019fce11-00de-7e2b-a8b1-4ead4b7c636e" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PreferredStockPercentageOfCumulativePreferredDividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PreferredStockPercentageOfCumulativePreferredDividends_019fce11-00de-7e2b-a8b1-4ead4b7c636e" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019fce11-00de-7fc9-814b-5c2a6aeda843" 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_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019fce11-00de-7fc9-814b-5c2a6aeda843" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019fce11-00de-7135-a24b-7cdf0a833a4f" 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_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7097-80ec-50d4b3370a91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019fce11-00de-7135-a24b-7cdf0a833a4f" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofConversionsofStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofConversionsofStockDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofConversionsofStockDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7d6a-a14d-d05e829dcc98" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_EquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7af4-8f59-9266212b9e93" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_EquityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7d6a-a14d-d05e829dcc98" xlink:to="loc_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7af4-8f59-9266212b9e93" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7af4-8f59-9266212b9e93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803_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_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-794c-a51d-5c8d4c17eb6b" 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_019fce11-00de-71cb-9c3a-460b1e378803" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fce11-00de-794c-a51d-5c8d4c17eb6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-00de-7504-a62f-0b4e6531ee86" 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_019fce11-00de-794c-a51d-5c8d4c17eb6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fce11-00de-7504-a62f-0b4e6531ee86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186" 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_whlr_EquityTable_019fce11-00de-7af4-8f59-9266212b9e93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186_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_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" 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_019fce11-00de-7007-b453-626861008186" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7b9b-80f2-b319e3e97c38" 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_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7b9b-80f2-b319e3e97c38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-78f9-b494-701dc4cc5e86" 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_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-78f9-b494-701dc4cc5e86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-787e-9da2-29bf6905842d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesBPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-787e-9da2-29bf6905842d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7bb5-a958-b2866aeed4f7" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-72e8-96f3-03914dbf073c" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SeriesCPreferredStockCedarMember_019fce11-00de-7bb5-a958-b2866aeed4f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fce11-00de-7433-84b8-8f2496c14d0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7d6a-a14d-d05e829dcc98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fce11-00de-7433-84b8-8f2496c14d0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1_019fce11-00de-7774-a191-783994f26347" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_EquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7d6a-a14d-d05e829dcc98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1_019fce11-00de-7774-a191-783994f26347" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofChangesinCarryingValueofSeriesDPreferredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofChangesinCarryingValueofSeriesDPreferredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofChangesinCarryingValueofSeriesDPreferredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityByClassOfStockTable_019fce11-00de-7a30-a743-38f4ec4d1641" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityByClassOfStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityByClassOfStockTable_019fce11-00de-7a30-a743-38f4ec4d1641" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44" 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_TemporaryEquityByClassOfStockTable_019fce11-00de-7a30-a743-38f4ec4d1641" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44_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_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-742c-bafa-ab3675d738c3" 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_019fce11-00de-734b-9043-2137a5b95e44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-742c-bafa-ab3675d738c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-79e8-9fed-7c3a0352a2b6" 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_019fce11-00de-742c-bafa-ab3675d738c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-79e8-9fed-7c3a0352a2b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db" 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_TemporaryEquityByClassOfStockTable_019fce11-00de-7a30-a743-38f4ec4d1641" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db_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_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7a59-8b73-0b16ba875b02" 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_019fce11-00de-71e9-9dc9-a0bbb3aa32db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fce11-00de-7a59-8b73-0b16ba875b02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fce11-00de-70e7-b647-c8217a2df630" 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_019fce11-00de-7a59-8b73-0b16ba875b02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fce11-00de-70e7-b647-c8217a2df630" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019fce11-00de-7580-a480-9523d1d05aeb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019fce11-00de-7580-a480-9523d1d05aeb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019fce11-00de-7580-a480-9523d1d05aeb" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-743d-b867-db9303f9830a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-743d-b867-db9303f9830a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestShares_019fce11-00de-7404-8bb0-f770abd616d0" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestShares_019fce11-00de-7404-8bb0-f770abd616d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionShares_019fce11-00de-7355-9e1a-5950ab93444d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionShares_019fce11-00de-7355-9e1a-5950ab93444d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementShares_019fce11-00de-7c6b-af00-e8ff613406ca" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementShares_019fce11-00de-7c6b-af00-e8ff613406ca" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeShares_019fce11-00de-79f0-8fbd-8a0b35b2bba2" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySharesRollForward_019fce11-00de-7217-9bec-dee41b8866a1" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeShares_019fce11-00de-79f0-8fbd-8a0b35b2bba2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-7639-b567-a699c4d1fe0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInTemporaryEquityRollForward_019fce11-00de-7580-a480-9523d1d05aeb" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019fce11-00de-7499-a012-575bcd4300c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019fce11-00de-7499-a012-575bcd4300c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestValue_019fce11-00de-7755-a2f7-29fac6b9ed89" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfInterestValue_019fce11-00de-7755-a2f7-29fac6b9ed89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference_019fce11-00de-7b12-8cad-13d88ee3470c" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityAccretionToLiquidationPreference_019fce11-00de-7b12-8cad-13d88ee3470c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionsAmount_019fce11-00de-7263-8792-dafb10646715" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionsAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionsAmount_019fce11-00de-7263-8792-dafb10646715" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementValue_019fce11-00de-76ef-8df6-b59739678694" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquitySettlementOfExchangeAgreementValue_019fce11-00de-76ef-8df6-b59739678694" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeValue_019fce11-00de-77e3-8c02-74377a0a4312" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityIssuanceOfStockInExchangeValue_019fce11-00de-77e3-8c02-74377a0a4312" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfDividends_019fce11-00de-72f7-bc81-1280a35b3c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfDividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityValueRollForward_019fce11-00de-701b-950c-45fbf6b6b214" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionOfDividends_019fce11-00de-72f7-bc81-1280a35b3c88" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019fce11-00de-7c45-b098-1012d7e9624f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_019fce11-00de-7f8a-996a-a61fdc8171bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityAccretionToRedemptionValueAdjustment_019fce11-00de-7f8a-996a-a61fdc8171bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationValue_019fce11-00de-7069-87ff-55a471804601" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationValue_019fce11-00de-7069-87ff-55a471804601" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationOutstandingShares_019fce11-00de-779f-9433-f2f0d27db501" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationOutstandingShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_whlr_TemporaryEquityRedemptionLiquidationOutstandingShares_019fce11-00de-779f-9433-f2f0d27db501" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest_019fce11-00de-7585-be9c-4f93936d215e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityLineItems_019fce11-00de-7711-b034-a23910cb9f1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaidInKindInterest_019fce11-00de-7585-be9c-4f93936d215e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationofEarningPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationofEarningPerShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromCalculationofEarningPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019fce11-00de-756f-a5e4-695d9027b057" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019fce11-00de-73e0-9b7f-57962d782876" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019fce11-00de-756f-a5e4-695d9027b057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019fce11-00de-73e0-9b7f-57962d782876" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc" 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_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019fce11-00de-73e0-9b7f-57962d782876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc_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_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7fdd-94f8-8dfa21f8cf6b" 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_019fce11-00de-7247-bf31-1be33ccbefcc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7fdd-94f8-8dfa21f8cf6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7c4e-9473-d771253e2d43" 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_019fce11-00de-7fdd-94f8-8dfa21f8cf6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-7c4e-9473-d771253e2d43" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-77a6-b9de-adf407333020" 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_019fce11-00de-7fdd-94f8-8dfa21f8cf6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-77a6-b9de-adf407333020" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019fce11-00de-73e0-9b7f-57962d782876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6_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_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019fce11-00de-714d-8b39-73d00ff10c39" 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_019fce11-00de-7fba-a8bc-8e1fbda605d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019fce11-00de-714d-8b39-73d00ff10c39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ConvertibleNotesMember_019fce11-00de-7708-96f1-6683a74bd5ad" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ConvertibleNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019fce11-00de-714d-8b39-73d00ff10c39" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ConvertibleNotesMember_019fce11-00de-7708-96f1-6683a74bd5ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-79e5-9d1f-6ecfd85d7565" 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_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019fce11-00de-756f-a5e4-695d9027b057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-79e5-9d1f-6ecfd85d7565" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-7452-b6a9-53048181be40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019fce11-00de-756f-a5e4-695d9027b057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquitySharesOutstanding_019fce11-00de-7452-b6a9-53048181be40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares_019fce11-00de-7aa5-9577-25f01bdaaef3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019fce11-00de-756f-a5e4-695d9027b057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToContingentlyIssuableShares_019fce11-00de-7aa5-9577-25f01bdaaef3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/EquityandMezzanineEquityScheduleofDividendsDeclaredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019fce11-00de-74ae-b644-046c8a6b7658" 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_019fce11-00de-7932-87fb-f7de710026fe" 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_019fce11-00de-74ae-b644-046c8a6b7658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019fce11-00de-7932-87fb-f7de710026fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076" 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_019fce11-00de-7932-87fb-f7de710026fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076_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_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7ffd-8bc2-1e78e04f358e" 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_019fce11-00de-7cbf-9ca9-3ed4e2a87076" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fce11-00de-7ffd-8bc2-1e78e04f358e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-752b-b93e-2c6871822474" 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_019fce11-00de-7ffd-8bc2-1e78e04f358e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fce11-00de-752b-b93e-2c6871822474" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockAmountOfPreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7b06-8f5d-a90d46659d6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockAmountOfPreferredDividendsInArrears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019fce11-00de-74ae-b644-046c8a6b7658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockAmountOfPreferredDividendsInArrears_019fce11-00de-7b06-8f5d-a90d46659d6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019fce11-00de-71d6-a358-d81be7bc3b14" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019fce11-00de-74ae-b644-046c8a6b7658" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019fce11-00de-71d6-a358-d81be7bc3b14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/SegmentReportingScheduleofSegmentRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingScheduleofSegmentRevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/SegmentReportingScheduleofSegmentRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" 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_019fce11-00de-7894-8ebd-5951180d3e5c" 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_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019fce11-00de-7894-8ebd-5951180d3e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b" 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_019fce11-00de-7894-8ebd-5951180d3e5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b_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_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-72d8-bd84-5fdc05b61c0d" 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_019fce11-00de-71c6-9ffd-73ff14964d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-72d8-bd84-5fdc05b61c0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ReportableSegmentMember_019fce11-00de-7d4d-ae44-d63c7a8d648a" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-72d8-bd84-5fdc05b61c0d" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ReportableSegmentMember_019fce11-00de-7d4d-ae44-d63c7a8d648a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-726c-a132-1726eb33f44e" 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_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-726c-a132-1726eb33f44e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019fce11-00de-7825-a395-1509c6ba2b07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019fce11-00de-7825-a395-1509c6ba2b07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PropertyOperatingCostsAdjusted_019fce11-00de-730e-9f75-dad2a80539e2" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PropertyOperatingCostsAdjusted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019fce11-00de-7825-a395-1509c6ba2b07" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PropertyOperatingCostsAdjusted_019fce11-00de-730e-9f75-dad2a80539e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_RealEstateAndOtherPropertyRelatedTaxesAndInsuranceExpense_019fce11-00de-75bf-813a-a9686831c08b" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_RealEstateAndOtherPropertyRelatedTaxesAndInsuranceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019fce11-00de-7825-a395-1509c6ba2b07" xlink:to="loc_whlr_RealEstateAndOtherPropertyRelatedTaxesAndInsuranceExpense_019fce11-00de-75bf-813a-a9686831c08b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019fce11-00de-709f-97fd-f6a5d0889600" 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_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019fce11-00de-7825-a395-1509c6ba2b07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019fce11-00de-709f-97fd-f6a5d0889600" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NetOperatingIncome_019fce11-00de-7a79-b88b-25b753e61aeb" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NetOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NetOperatingIncome_019fce11-00de-7a79-b88b-25b753e61aeb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NumberOfReportableSegmentsNotDisclosedFlag_019fce11-00de-7309-9a03-e88805578668" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NumberOfReportableSegmentsNotDisclosedFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ee0-adba-a5242a12d6bd" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NumberOfReportableSegmentsNotDisclosedFlag_019fce11-00de-7309-9a03-e88805578668" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/SegmentReportingScheduleofReconciliationOperatingIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#SegmentReportingScheduleofReconciliationOperatingIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/SegmentReportingScheduleofReconciliationOperatingIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" 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_019fce11-00de-7749-824b-5f554372a8c0" 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_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019fce11-00de-7749-824b-5f554372a8c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465" 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_019fce11-00de-7749-824b-5f554372a8c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465_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_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-7058-9485-62421b5f171f" 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_019fce11-00de-79f6-adda-0d5d5b6eb465" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-7058-9485-62421b5f171f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ReportableSegmentMember_019fce11-00de-7e0e-8209-4fbf1a67e84a" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019fce11-00de-7058-9485-62421b5f171f" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ReportableSegmentMember_019fce11-00de-7e0e-8209-4fbf1a67e84a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_NetOperatingIncome_019fce11-00de-7fa0-a8d7-118d40e770b7" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_NetOperatingIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_whlr_NetOperatingIncome_019fce11-00de-7fa0-a8d7-118d40e770b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019fce11-00de-716d-8ba5-2066e00a1099" 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_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019fce11-00de-716d-8ba5-2066e00a1099" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_019fce11-00de-77c7-8af3-8342d89d2788" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_019fce11-00de-77c7-8af3-8342d89d2788" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019fce11-00de-7101-afff-62ea77605b4f" 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_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019fce11-00de-7101-afff-62ea77605b4f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019fce11-00de-71f8-abc2-fe5fc822ff4e" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019fce11-00de-71f8-abc2-fe5fc822ff4e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019fce11-00de-7e09-8409-ec42a184b845" 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_019fce11-00de-717e-961b-685f04c84f83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019fce11-00de-7e09-8409-ec42a184b845" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7626-988a-7831afc1fb34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7626-988a-7831afc1fb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09_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_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7d5d-992d-95a62a3b5d76" 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_019fce11-00de-7a3b-bbe2-563bef172c09" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7d5d-992d-95a62a3b5d76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-00de-7b1f-b0e6-65841a583f86" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7d5d-992d-95a62a3b5d76" xlink:to="loc_whlr_CedarRealtyTrustMember_019fce11-00de-7b1f-b0e6-65841a583f86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7a18-a394-1c70881345d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-79ed-95f3-3bf9dff50f5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7a18-a394-1c70881345d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_PropertyManagementAndLeasingServicesMember_019fce11-00de-7c79-a156-fc26880ea6b6" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_PropertyManagementAndLeasingServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7a18-a394-1c70881345d6" xlink:to="loc_whlr_PropertyManagementAndLeasingServicesMember_019fce11-00de-7c79-a156-fc26880ea6b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b_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_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-7528-8ca7-f470aee24b48" 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_019fce11-00de-7632-a4ce-11a6c63e287b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-7528-8ca7-f470aee24b48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-00de-7c25-89fe-ff8f1db799b7" 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_019fce11-00de-7528-8ca7-f470aee24b48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-00de-7c25-89fe-ff8f1db799b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7197-be51-d90afd2f7af1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7c33-899f-d2479a16f097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019fce11-00de-7599-b9e9-b2ab19c19907" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7c33-899f-d2479a16f097" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-00de-7abe-a653-563d782363d1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019fce11-00de-7c33-899f-d2479a16f097" xlink:to="loc_whlr_StilwellActivistInvestmentsLPMember_019fce11-00de-7abe-a653-563d782363d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-75fd-b4a5-6b2aed541db7" 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_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7626-988a-7831afc1fb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019fce11-00de-75fd-b4a5-6b2aed541db7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_EquityMethodInvestmentsInvestmentFees_019fce11-00de-7191-b6d1-e324814426d1" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_EquityMethodInvestmentsInvestmentFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7626-988a-7831afc1fb34" xlink:to="loc_whlr_EquityMethodInvestmentsInvestmentFees_019fce11-00de-7191-b6d1-e324814426d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleofRelatedPartyActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleofRelatedPartyActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleofRelatedPartyActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ce9-be88-a66a1ce6290c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7459-a908-5753f74ee514" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ce9-be88-a66a1ce6290c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7459-a908-5753f74ee514" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7459-a908-5753f74ee514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7_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_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-798f-97d7-f221e18c158c" 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_019fce11-00de-77e8-8bf8-cd4294ba77a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019fce11-00de-798f-97d7-f221e18c158c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-00de-7b7c-b71d-e434f8bb5a3d" 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_019fce11-00de-798f-97d7-f221e18c158c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019fce11-00de-7b7c-b71d-e434f8bb5a3d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019fce11-00de-7459-a908-5753f74ee514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_019fce11-00de-7033-93e1-b8739749e58c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_FinancingsAndRealEstateTaxesMember_019fce11-00de-73eb-8446-d24572b1c58d" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_FinancingsAndRealEstateTaxesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_FinancingsAndRealEstateTaxesMember_019fce11-00de-73eb-8446-d24572b1c58d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ManagementFeesMember_019fce11-00de-7035-a758-0e37b55ac0b9" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ManagementFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ManagementFeesMember_019fce11-00de-7035-a758-0e37b55ac0b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_LeasingCommissionsMember_019fce11-00de-72f1-90e8-d123a8f91c09" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_LeasingCommissionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_LeasingCommissionsMember_019fce11-00de-72f1-90e8-d123a8f91c09" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_SalesCommissionsMember_019fce11-00de-7d53-84e7-cb3f8ca22fb4" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_SalesCommissionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_SalesCommissionsMember_019fce11-00de-7d53-84e7-cb3f8ca22fb4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_CostSharingAgreementAllocationsMember_019fce11-00de-7de5-8a86-b19816a8cedd" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_CostSharingAgreementAllocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_019fce11-00de-7cf6-879b-4755561989a5" xlink:to="loc_whlr_CostSharingAgreementAllocationsMember_019fce11-00de-7de5-8a86-b19816a8cedd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction_019fce11-00de-7a60-ac76-1e63ae244d25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019fce11-00de-7ce9-be88-a66a1ce6290c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction_019fce11-00de-7a60-ac76-1e63ae244d25" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.whlr.us/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.whlr.us/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" 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_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7cde-96be-fd94f797b2d2" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-73d1-b6fe-58f9fa0462af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7cde-96be-fd94f797b2d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-756a-a257-c2a127c76e06" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7cde-96be-fd94f797b2d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-756a-a257-c2a127c76e06" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7de7-b3c3-8a986a9db4cf" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7cde-96be-fd94f797b2d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7de7-b3c3-8a986a9db4cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7" 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_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7470-8908-101bebca9122" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7db8-9936-f35da874a9e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7470-8908-101bebca9122" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-73ae-b62b-87df349da398" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7470-8908-101bebca9122" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-73ae-b62b-87df349da398" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-70d1-87c5-60e968f04f2b" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e33-9873-aec955da79c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-70d1-87c5-60e968f04f2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7905-bfa0-9c8ed2959861" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-70d1-87c5-60e968f04f2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7905-bfa0-9c8ed2959861" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-79fc-b769-fd119385789c" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ac4-a475-8f93b081b96a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-79fc-b769-fd119385789c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ExchangeOfSeriesBAndSeriesDMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7891-9f71-e26df78dff79" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ExchangeOfSeriesBAndSeriesDMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-79fc-b769-fd119385789c" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ExchangeOfSeriesBAndSeriesDMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7891-9f71-e26df78dff79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7193-8c9f-5d4026f50cc9" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7f3a-b56c-ba3a5d79ebf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7193-8c9f-5d4026f50cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ca1-a2e6-4fbbd9336a87" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7193-8c9f-5d4026f50cc9" xlink:to="loc_whlr_A700SubordinatedConvertibleNotesDue2031Member_019fd2d2-c6b7-7ca1-a2e6-4fbbd9336a87" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431" 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_SubsequentEventTable_019fce11-00de-78cf-99fb-6b6bccdbf526" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431_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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-722d-b626-777ec740f7b5" 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_019fd2d2-c6b7-7399-a9df-5501df206431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-722d-b626-777ec740f7b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e21-9b9a-04eddb27d772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019fd2d2-c6b7-722d-b626-777ec740f7b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e21-9b9a-04eddb27d772" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fd2d2-c6b7-7de1-81ba-5a5db3638c47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRedeemedOrCalledDuringPeriodShares_019fd2d2-c6b7-7de1-81ba-5a5db3638c47" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e2c-a27d-ff8dfb043b15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesIssued1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e2c-a27d-ff8dfb043b15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_019fd2d2-c6b7-76ef-9121-6b680582d659" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_019fd2d2-c6b7-76ef-9121-6b680582d659" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_ConversionOfStockNumberOfUnaffiliatedHolders_019fd2d2-c6b7-7a4c-8f13-75d00f947e64" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_ConversionOfStockNumberOfUnaffiliatedHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_whlr_ConversionOfStockNumberOfUnaffiliatedHolders_019fd2d2-c6b7-7a4c-8f13-75d00f947e64" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7960-919a-8d17a0a51bc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockSharesConverted1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7960-919a-8d17a0a51bc6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7b16-b275-db10f6d8f0a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_019fd2d2-c6b7-7b16-b275-db10f6d8f0a8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPriceRatio_019fd2e0-bc13-718c-97e9-92ab79781109" xlink:href="whlr-20260630.xsd#whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPriceRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_whlr_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPriceRatio_019fd2e0-bc13-718c-97e9-92ab79781109" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e01-a0d4-36825aaee76c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_019fd2d2-c6b7-7d7d-a59f-7fa4526853a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForLegalSettlements_019fd2d2-c6b7-7e01-a0d4-36825aaee76c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
