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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019e89b0-3384-751d-ae58-9bbfabe2019d,g:f449331d-25bc-4885-8cb1-781f7fe35987-->
<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://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DocumentandEntityInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DocumentandEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e89b0-3594-7b20-86e7-2d7251404941" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e89b0-3594-7b20-86e7-2d7251404941" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019e89b0-3594-7b20-86e7-2d7251404941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d_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_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7f6a-8084-c7fa4e8c5165" 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_019e89b0-3594-7283-8439-cf2a2f6e211d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7f6a-8084-c7fa4e8c5165" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7401-a40e-a64caac84eca" 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_019e89b0-3594-7f6a-8084-c7fa4e8c5165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7401-a40e-a64caac84eca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7d35-9b0d-a1829d1110f2" 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_019e89b0-3594-7f6a-8084-c7fa4e8c5165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7d35-9b0d-a1829d1110f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e89b0-3594-762a-a564-a65b511a0aa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019e89b0-3594-762a-a564-a65b511a0aa5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e89b0-3594-7392-9035-0249d84c8667" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019e89b0-3594-7392-9035-0249d84c8667" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e89b0-3594-7695-b29b-fa37f0282e14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019e89b0-3594-7695-b29b-fa37f0282e14" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e89b0-3594-7bbf-847f-218a0374debe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019e89b0-3594-7bbf-847f-218a0374debe" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e89b0-3594-74cb-a5be-3356ca2cd21b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019e89b0-3594-74cb-a5be-3356ca2cd21b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e89b0-3594-722a-8acc-26a003e30162" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019e89b0-3594-722a-8acc-26a003e30162" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e89b0-3594-72f5-9e6e-0aa3ce069680" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019e89b0-3594-72f5-9e6e-0aa3ce069680" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e89b0-3594-7757-8680-fc680de9f7d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019e89b0-3594-7757-8680-fc680de9f7d6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e89b0-3594-7a01-be92-e49bad8f9a33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019e89b0-3594-7a01-be92-e49bad8f9a33" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_019e89b0-3594-7f70-8867-658c8caa4657" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_019e89b0-3594-7f70-8867-658c8caa4657" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e89b0-3594-7928-ba6c-cf6822cd956d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019e89b0-3594-7928-ba6c-cf6822cd956d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e89b0-3594-7176-9318-1c19d6b929d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019e89b0-3594-7176-9318-1c19d6b929d7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e89b0-3594-7136-b55a-ddfb6c7a238a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019e89b0-3594-7136-b55a-ddfb6c7a238a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e89b0-3594-701f-b8f5-b6b8964dc46a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019e89b0-3594-701f-b8f5-b6b8964dc46a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e89b0-3594-7e86-8064-cbfd3e8f65b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019e89b0-3594-7e86-8064-cbfd3e8f65b4" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e89b0-3594-7768-ad25-cf7283a6f7da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019e89b0-3594-7768-ad25-cf7283a6f7da" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e89b0-3594-7fd6-ab82-365749d11ede" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019e89b0-3594-7fd6-ab82-365749d11ede" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e89b0-3594-7612-a3d5-5e9bd06e2f61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019e89b0-3594-7612-a3d5-5e9bd06e2f61" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e89b0-3594-79f0-97eb-5d7cf588fa0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019e89b0-3594-79f0-97eb-5d7cf588fa0f" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e89b0-3594-7906-bebc-784834078260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019e89b0-3594-7906-bebc-784834078260" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e89b0-3594-77e9-b91e-ea926501fad4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019e89b0-3594-77e9-b91e-ea926501fad4" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e89b0-3594-7306-8231-8b79446a454d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019e89b0-3594-7306-8231-8b79446a454d" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e89b0-3594-77e7-9bd6-0ac16bc3181d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019e89b0-3594-77e7-9bd6-0ac16bc3181d" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e89b0-3594-7404-82dd-44323cf7a47e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019e89b0-3594-7404-82dd-44323cf7a47e" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-77bd-ae41-f9733c7be496" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-77bd-ae41-f9733c7be496" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e89b0-3594-7686-98e1-34efd8e662aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019e89b0-3594-7686-98e1-34efd8e662aa" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e89b0-3594-7209-a792-79fedbbf5ce1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019e89b0-3594-7209-a792-79fedbbf5ce1" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e89b0-3594-7f5d-a138-8f771d51c596" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019e89b0-3594-7f5d-a138-8f771d51c596" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e89b0-3594-76ff-a879-eb74595ac43e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019e89b0-3594-76ff-a879-eb74595ac43e" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e89b0-3594-7f95-84e7-c683f564f42c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2026/dei-2026.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3594-725f-88d1-92a678cd8d73" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019e89b0-3594-7f95-84e7-c683f564f42c" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" 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_019e89b0-3594-7cec-b164-dbe39ab535e2" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e89b0-3594-7cec-b164-dbe39ab535e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c" 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_019e89b0-3594-7cec-b164-dbe39ab535e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c_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_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7920-af14-84266d999a6c" 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_019e89b0-3594-75d3-971e-33f18f7b203c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7920-af14-84266d999a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7b64-9ec9-13636a7c16b3" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3594-7920-af14-84266d999a6c" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-7b64-9ec9-13636a7c16b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_019e89b0-3594-7f80-bfdb-3c4d9bf4ef80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_019e89b0-3594-7f80-bfdb-3c4d9bf4ef80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e89b0-3594-787c-9e9f-6755b18e7f63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e89b0-3594-787c-9e9f-6755b18e7f63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3594-7443-8b98-cad3efa70c98" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3594-7443-8b98-cad3efa70c98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-7dd3-92a5-af80e05d71da" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-7dd3-92a5-af80e05d71da" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7b4e-bb29-cd681954e311" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7b4e-bb29-cd681954e311" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019e89b0-3594-787a-b3e9-6dd840b9fe52" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreferenceValue_019e89b0-3594-787a-b3e9-6dd840b9fe52" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e89b0-3594-7002-9ba6-07d80839f787" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019e89b0-3594-7002-9ba6-07d80839f787" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3594-75d1-ac8a-ed2b4497d57d" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3594-75d1-ac8a-ed2b4497d57d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-7262-b0bd-e9d400b12ec6" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-7262-b0bd-e9d400b12ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7ed2-8783-dd7d7f1c70a6" 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_019e89b0-3594-74f5-9ccd-baa5285806d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7ed2-8783-dd7d7f1c70a6" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" 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_019e89b0-3594-7dd7-8555-3ff3c8650524" 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_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e89b0-3594-7dd7-8555-3ff3c8650524" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a" 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_StatementTable_019e89b0-3594-7dd7-8555-3ff3c8650524" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a_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_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" 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_019e89b0-3594-73e3-a4f6-7169c805535a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3594-7358-836a-b121eb97f0af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3594-7358-836a-b121eb97f0af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3594-766c-92d0-e5fb2f724281" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3594-766c-92d0-e5fb2f724281" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3594-7de0-b953-5075a41d92a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HotelOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3594-7de0-b953-5075a41d92a0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember_019e89b0-3594-723e-bd70-dc1d5570c2b9" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3594-73e0-aa5f-6a8b544f88fc" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember_019e89b0-3594-723e-bd70-dc1d5570c2b9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f" 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_019e89b0-3594-7dd7-8555-3ff3c8650524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f_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_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7fcb-a284-1a9a61761a81" 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_019e89b0-3594-7e46-9d23-a305c246663f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7fcb-a284-1a9a61761a81" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-79e9-901b-eeb7e9535cf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7fcb-a284-1a9a61761a81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-79e9-901b-eeb7e9535cf1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-78b1-b4ae-03970e8d5326" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-78b1-b4ae-03970e8d5326" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3594-7f0c-8e88-d6c421a49894" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-78b1-b4ae-03970e8d5326" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3594-7f0c-8e88-d6c421a49894" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3594-7939-b3d1-1f8218fd8fb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-78b1-b4ae-03970e8d5326" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3594-7939-b3d1-1f8218fd8fb4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7053-9578-95d45c871095" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7053-9578-95d45c871095" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_019e89b0-3594-7b9c-a64e-ea9a0ce675cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7053-9578-95d45c871095" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_019e89b0-3594-7b9c-a64e-ea9a0ce675cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e89b0-3594-7729-8dae-fc749f628182" 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_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e89b0-3594-7729-8dae-fc749f628182" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance_019e89b0-3594-7600-a050-041671f7e4b6" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance_019e89b0-3594-7600-a050-041671f7e4b6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e89b0-3594-77c3-846c-597dfbabcc5b" 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_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e89b0-3594-77c3-846c-597dfbabcc5b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019e89b0-3594-7742-ae9e-690e6f071d35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_019e89b0-3594-7742-ae9e-690e6f071d35" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e89b0-3594-77d7-ad0c-555a801fedab" 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_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019e89b0-3594-77d7-ad0c-555a801fedab" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e89b0-3594-7aa8-8029-8acf47de5b1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e89b0-3594-7aa8-8029-8acf47de5b1b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_019e89b0-3594-7c71-8730-eb9d7534e3da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_019e89b0-3594-7c71-8730-eb9d7534e3da" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e89b0-3594-7129-8afd-596217d0cab7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019e89b0-3594-7129-8afd-596217d0cab7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3594-7d44-950f-f0f1eb2c1860" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3594-7d44-950f-f0f1eb2c1860" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e89b0-3594-7915-9b4d-22698b8bf66d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_019e89b0-3594-7915-9b4d-22698b8bf66d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e89b0-3594-7edc-ba86-26c35c8de9da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e89b0-3594-7edc-ba86-26c35c8de9da" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e89b0-3594-7e6e-934d-6965dc733165" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019e89b0-3594-7e6e-934d-6965dc733165" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-70bc-8b63-4edebe7f4560" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-70bc-8b63-4edebe7f4560" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e89b0-3594-7377-aab7-f2bc265e6085" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019e89b0-3594-7377-aab7-f2bc265e6085" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e89b0-3594-7ac0-a382-5d81197c7050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e89b0-3594-7ac0-a382-5d81197c7050" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7c41-b23f-5f9d8fd64895" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7c41-b23f-5f9d8fd64895" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnershipsNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-7b09-b1c9-5541c0c8e7f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnershipsNonredeemable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7c41-b23f-5f9d8fd64895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnershipsNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-7b09-b1c9-5541c0c8e7f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-7d63-bd50-79a57cbdbf49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersNonredeemable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossOfConsolidatedEntitiesAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7c41-b23f-5f9d8fd64895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-7d63-bd50-79a57cbdbf49" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3594-733e-92e1-98a7d272da63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3594-733e-92e1-98a7d272da63" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_019e89b0-3594-73ad-8da1-605294c6ae72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_019e89b0-3594-73ad-8da1-605294c6ae72" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e89b0-3594-7e80-a426-076f57dcc8a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAvailableToCommonStockholdersBasic_019e89b0-3594-7e80-a426-076f57dcc8a9" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7610-b1cd-1179aaf06b3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7610-b1cd-1179aaf06b3d" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e89b0-3594-7fb9-9246-6a2f246b6c0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7610-b1cd-1179aaf06b3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019e89b0-3594-7fb9-9246-6a2f246b6c0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e89b0-3594-7b83-b4eb-53c81a2bafae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7610-b1cd-1179aaf06b3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019e89b0-3594-7b83-b4eb-53c81a2bafae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e89b0-3594-74d7-8137-8793ab5d3953" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e89b0-3594-74d7-8137-8793ab5d3953" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e89b0-3594-7dbb-8bb1-d2e3d0f9cfdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e89b0-3594-74d7-8137-8793ab5d3953" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019e89b0-3594-7dbb-8bb1-d2e3d0f9cfdf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7005-ad8b-310787eacc26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedAbstract_019e89b0-3594-74d7-8137-8793ab5d3953" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-7005-ad8b-310787eacc26" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7791-9061-13085f4b55bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-7fce-8c5d-69fe08af871e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7791-9061-13085f4b55bd" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e89b0-3594-7ed5-a7eb-56cbe054e6e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_019e89b0-3594-70c5-ac04-3c072ae3badd" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7791-9061-13085f4b55bd" xlink:to="loc_rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_019e89b0-3594-70c5-ac04-3c072ae3badd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-74fc-a304-aec96df0d67a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7791-9061-13085f4b55bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-74fc-a304-aec96df0d67a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnershipsNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-7536-bc68-47202ea43c3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossOperatingPartnershipsNonredeemable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersNonredeemable_019e89b0-3594-77ad-ad08-eed9091c36bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestInNetIncomeLossJointVenturePartnersNonredeemable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributabletoCommonShareholders_019e89b0-3594-7633-a8ce-05f7e3e7f2ff" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributabletoCommonShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAbstract_019e89b0-3594-7791-9061-13085f4b55bd" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ComprehensiveIncomeLossAttributabletoCommonShareholders_019e89b0-3594-7633-a8ce-05f7e3e7f2ff" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019e89b0-3594-753f-b9f3-de06e46e7ed3" 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_019e89b0-3594-7bef-b4f1-376bde5f25d0" 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_019e89b0-3594-753f-b9f3-de06e46e7ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019e89b0-3594-7bef-b4f1-376bde5f25d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6" 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_019e89b0-3594-7bef-b4f1-376bde5f25d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6_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_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" 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_019e89b0-3594-7289-b4ea-9dac84c2a2a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-70e1-be63-2593ae9a0daa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3594-70e1-be63-2593ae9a0daa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e89b0-3594-762a-9429-037419f5377c" 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_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019e89b0-3594-762a-9429-037419f5377c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e89b0-3594-7fd7-9e07-602e5f7a83c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019e89b0-3594-7fd7-9e07-602e5f7a83c0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-728c-993b-5a65ef3e6268" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDistributionsInExcessOfNetIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-728c-993b-5a65ef3e6268" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-7bd7-8034-7da89d3463e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019e89b0-3594-7bd7-8034-7da89d3463e8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsMember_019e89b0-3594-7174-8117-a25adf7196e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalUnitsMember_019e89b0-3594-7174-8117-a25adf7196e4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedJointVentureMember_019e89b0-3594-721c-8ce5-e5cde7e11df4" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019e89b0-3594-7090-90bb-5ec111e51f49" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NoncontrollingInterestConsolidatedJointVentureMember_019e89b0-3594-721c-8ce5-e5cde7e11df4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" 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_019e89b0-3594-753f-b9f3-de06e46e7ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-748d-b89e-ca3b05a8126c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-748d-b89e-ca3b05a8126c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-7984-b000-0f0715108dbb" 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_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-7984-b000-0f0715108dbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-73c6-b9f3-c45b1ec8b378" 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_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019e89b0-3594-73c6-b9f3-c45b1ec8b378" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3594-7b34-b233-86f66634c2cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3594-7b34-b233-86f66634c2cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e89b0-3594-7a39-8529-e4ef7c0fcd9a" 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_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019e89b0-3594-7a39-8529-e4ef7c0fcd9a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_019e89b0-3594-7ba3-b88f-7bde8517e388" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesNetOfTax_019e89b0-3594-7ba3-b88f-7bde8517e388" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_019e89b0-3594-7b23-9253-7bd5792b57eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_019e89b0-3594-7b23-9253-7bd5792b57eb" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_019e89b0-3594-71bd-9932-29c31c693e8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_019e89b0-3594-71bd-9932-29c31c693e8a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e89b0-3594-7fb3-a675-8b89cf39280d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019e89b0-3594-7fb3-a675-8b89cf39280d" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e89b0-3594-7c32-b2f1-76a92c36e78f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e89b0-3594-7c32-b2f1-76a92c36e78f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e89b0-3594-7065-93a4-06d4c4b558fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_019e89b0-3594-7065-93a4-06d4c4b558fe" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_019e89b0-3594-7f23-86e1-2647a84c59b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_019e89b0-3594-7f23-86e1-2647a84c59b7" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e89b0-3594-7e40-bfd5-4278933d65af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_019e89b0-3594-7e40-bfd5-4278933d65af" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e89b0-3594-72c6-9cfb-0f6c0c153859" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e89b0-3594-72c6-9cfb-0f6c0c153859" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_019f9626-03e1-77b3-a699-e6dbc2e3bf8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_019f9626-03e1-77b3-a699-e6dbc2e3bf8d" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_019f94a5-3d41-7f4d-9127-5fa30b44d72d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_019f94a5-3d41-7f4d-9127-5fa30b44d72d" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019e89b0-3594-7dd9-b211-cf84047e9331" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsPreferredStock_019e89b0-3594-7dd9-b211-cf84047e9331" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits_019e89b0-3594-75cb-b139-421ea785ccc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits_019e89b0-3594-75cb-b139-421ea785ccc3" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e89b0-3594-7ed8-8828-c3bb492bbc47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019e89b0-3594-799d-8ffe-54e0a00f140a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019e89b0-3594-7ed8-8828-c3bb492bbc47" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_019e89b0-3594-7d0a-8c86-fcbfe914e642" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3594-7ee4-bc37-547606297e20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#GeneralDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockTable_019e89b0-3595-73e6-9259-5624195058b8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SaleOfStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockTable_019e89b0-3595-73e6-9259-5624195058b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockTable_019e89b0-3595-73e6-9259-5624195058b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7432-bab5-c73c86cf8423" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-72ee-a5d7-c508b8a3f782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WhollyOwnedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-72ee-a5d7-c508b8a3f782" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7792-aafa-9e563b567fb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartiallyOwnedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7792-aafa-9e563b567fb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7cd8-b540-373a14b65eac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7cd8-b540-373a14b65eac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-72c2-939c-3d4e7bf95670" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidatedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-72c2-939c-3d4e7bf95670" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_LeasedHotelPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7c5d-b5f9-1eb622c60aaa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_LeasedHotelPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f3f-acc9-27c5e644dbca" xlink:to="loc_rlj_LeasedHotelPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7c5d-b5f9-1eb622c60aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44" 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_rlj_SaleOfStockTable_019e89b0-3595-73e6-9259-5624195058b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44_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_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bdb-9cd0-b5dae58da28d" 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_019e89b0-3595-7588-b022-ca7dfca83c44" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bdb-9cd0-b5dae58da28d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NinetyFivePercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-78b3-903a-9b064fd0e36a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NinetyFivePercentOwnedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bdb-9cd0-b5dae58da28d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NinetyFivePercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-78b3-903a-9b064fd0e36a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-7d72-b208-9a3a46978af7" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bdb-9cd0-b5dae58da28d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-7d72-b208-9a3a46978af7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_OperatingPartnershipsUnitOutstanding_019e89b0-3595-7fd5-8064-b15f94582f7c" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_OperatingPartnershipsUnitOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_rlj_OperatingPartnershipsUnitOutstanding_019e89b0-3595-7fd5-8064-b15f94582f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DirectAndIndirectOwnershipInterestInOperatingPartnerships_019e89b0-3595-7c79-9fe9-47073e34f9b3" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DirectAndIndirectOwnershipInterestInOperatingPartnerships"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DirectAndIndirectOwnershipInterestInOperatingPartnerships_019e89b0-3595-7c79-9fe9-47073e34f9b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3595-740c-ad38-f98c40eb8dac" 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_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3595-740c-ad38-f98c40eb8dac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty_019e89b0-3595-7fb9-84db-a38f09b7a3e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty_019e89b0-3595-7fb9-84db-a38f09b7a3e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_019e89b0-3595-750b-8c24-90c5d9b3ba18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_019e89b0-3595-750b-8c24-90c5d9b3ba18" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RealEstatePropertiesOwnershipInterestPercentage_019e89b0-3595-7bf9-abc1-fd7c3b4daa91" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RealEstatePropertiesOwnershipInterestPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RealEstatePropertiesOwnershipInterestPercentage_019e89b0-3595-7bf9-abc1-fd7c3b4daa91" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019e89b0-3595-729c-8382-a0dfd0aec776" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_SaleOfStockLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7730-b6c5-4c975ce25bd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019e89b0-3595-729c-8382-a0dfd0aec776" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7743-862e-3d36cb68c51f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_019e89b0-3595-758a-8eb7-969734c889e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7743-862e-3d36cb68c51f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_019e89b0-3595-758a-8eb7-969734c889e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c" 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_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_019e89b0-3595-758a-8eb7-969734c889e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c_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_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7837-ba4c-b6b4acd171c7" 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_019e89b0-3595-7d6b-84a4-efea0f46772c" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7837-ba4c-b6b4acd171c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-70d7-a2a3-485b97105613" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7837-ba4c-b6b4acd171c7" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FiftyPercentOwnedMember_019e89b0-3595-70d7-a2a3-485b97105613" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeTable_019e89b0-3595-758a-8eb7-969734c889e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7ca6-afb9-0a70c5ceb500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesAxis_019e89b0-3595-7fc4-bb76-b5a7a78557c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7ca6-afb9-0a70c5ceb500" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7508-9f3a-d402083fec05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7ca6-afb9-0a70c5ceb500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnconsolidatedPropertiesMember_019e89b0-3595-7508-9f3a-d402083fec05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RealEstateInterestsNumberofJointVentures_019e89b0-3595-7926-99b1-422c525d2680" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RealEstateInterestsNumberofJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7743-862e-3d36cb68c51f" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RealEstateInterestsNumberofJointVentures_019e89b0-3595-7926-99b1-422c525d2680" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019e89b0-3595-73bb-a49a-101ee8a59870" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7743-862e-3d36cb68c51f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_019e89b0-3595-73bb-a49a-101ee8a59870" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SaleofHotelPropertiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#SaleofHotelPropertiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SaleofHotelPropertiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7a33-9aa3-fe4efd5f171e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7a33-9aa3-fe4efd5f171e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7a33-9aa3-fe4efd5f171e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff_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_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" 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_019e89b0-3595-7bac-b624-ebff04d563ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_CourtyardAtlantaBuckheadMember_019e89b0-3595-707c-9e7e-da06613ad0a6" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_CourtyardAtlantaBuckheadMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" xlink:to="loc_rlj_CourtyardAtlantaBuckheadMember_019e89b0-3595-707c-9e7e-da06613ad0a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Disposals2025Member_019e89b0-3595-7988-aeb9-1103196f7adc" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Disposals2025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Disposals2025Member_019e89b0-3595-7988-aeb9-1103196f7adc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_HyattPlaceFremontSiliconValleyMember_019f94bd-7b83-74bb-b192-ef548f253363" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_HyattPlaceFremontSiliconValleyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" xlink:to="loc_rlj_HyattPlaceFremontSiliconValleyMember_019f94bd-7b83-74bb-b192-ef548f253363" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Disposals2026Member_019f94bf-3d76-70c2-8e88-f3e917435139" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Disposals2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71e8-bc86-52a82f778211" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Disposals2026Member_019f94bf-3d76-70c2-8e88-f3e917435139" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3595-70ef-b3b8-9b65122c4782" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3595-70ef-b3b8-9b65122c4782" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms_019e89b0-3595-7a97-b98d-c2a2911d65d3" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms_019e89b0-3595-7a97-b98d-c2a2911d65d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e89b0-3595-751b-9b91-81fd8744db25" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e89b0-3595-751b-9b91-81fd8744db25" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019f9a5b-e7de-75b7-9255-81675774668e" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-709e-bc0f-9b6e8f1b78b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_019f9a5b-e7de-75b7-9255-81675774668e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SaleofHotelPropertiesScheduleofPropertyDisposedofDuringPeriodDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#SaleofHotelPropertiesScheduleofPropertyDisposedofDuringPeriodDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SaleofHotelPropertiesScheduleofPropertyDisposedofDuringPeriodDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7d71-a46b-3b3bbc13c563" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7111-80ff-7ce9e9b447cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7d71-a46b-3b3bbc13c563" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7111-80ff-7ce9e9b447cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7111-80ff-7ce9e9b447cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0_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_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7847-ba8f-a261cd0e360c" 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_019e89b0-3595-7895-ad7a-077b5cfef6a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7847-ba8f-a261cd0e360c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019e89b0-3595-7111-80ff-7ce9e9b447cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88_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_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b25-9df6-d37d4a63bb71" 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_019e89b0-3595-7f8f-8153-d750a6ebbd88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b25-9df6-d37d4a63bb71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e89b0-3595-7b38-82c3-2de9f8cf38d6" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7d71-a46b-3b3bbc13c563" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfRealEstateHeldforinvestment_019e89b0-3595-7b38-82c3-2de9f8cf38d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms_019e89b0-3595-7479-99a3-74d5c1fa5794" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7d71-a46b-3b3bbc13c563" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DisposalGroupPropertyDisposedDuringPeriodNumberofRooms_019e89b0-3595-7479-99a3-74d5c1fa5794" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/RevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#RevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/RevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019e89b0-3595-72d8-8235-e1b62f893577" 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_019e89b0-3595-73fd-b0e5-07f34c127e8b" 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_019e89b0-3595-72d8-8235-e1b62f893577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e89b0-3595-73fd-b0e5-07f34c127e8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac" 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_019e89b0-3595-73fd-b0e5-07f34c127e8b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac_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_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7352-8ffe-cd97c8b27fa9" 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_019e89b0-3595-734c-b661-bcf22805deac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7352-8ffe-cd97c8b27fa9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3595-79de-8577-60bc29ffd575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7352-8ffe-cd97c8b27fa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3595-79de-8577-60bc29ffd575" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3595-7a6a-8b4e-dded0ddc9fe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7352-8ffe-cd97c8b27fa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3595-7a6a-8b4e-dded0ddc9fe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3595-7dfa-a09a-d69a2dcb5552" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HotelOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3595-7352-8ffe-cd97c8b27fa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3595-7dfa-a09a-d69a2dcb5552" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019e89b0-3595-73fd-b0e5-07f34c127e8b" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019e89b0-3595-7b5d-8a4d-7cfe72a18b19" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e89b0-3595-78e0-963e-6e7cb72c8bb5" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NorthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NorthernCaliforniaMember_019e89b0-3595-78e0-963e-6e7cb72c8bb5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e89b0-3595-727a-a45c-748165a11b54" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SouthernCaliforniaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SouthernCaliforniaMember_019e89b0-3595-727a-a45c-748165a11b54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SouthFloridaMember_019e89b0-3595-74b4-8b6b-3d6f80e01041" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SouthFloridaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SouthFloridaMember_019e89b0-3595-74b4-8b6b-3d6f80e01041" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NewYorkCityMember_019e89b0-3595-72d8-b858-3d735049ed62" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NewYorkCityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NewYorkCityMember_019e89b0-3595-72d8-b858-3d735049ed62" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ChicagoIllinoisMember_019e89b0-3595-7fda-81cb-b7a36e5793e1" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ChicagoIllinoisMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ChicagoIllinoisMember_019e89b0-3595-7fda-81cb-b7a36e5793e1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_LouisvilleKentuckyMember_019e89b0-3595-75ba-96e4-e33b3be29a3a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_LouisvilleKentuckyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_LouisvilleKentuckyMember_019e89b0-3595-75ba-96e4-e33b3be29a3a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_WashingtonD.C.Member_019e89b0-3595-7da2-b480-edaab3eccf0f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_WashingtonD.C.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_WashingtonD.C.Member_019e89b0-3595-7da2-b480-edaab3eccf0f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_CharlestonSouthCarolinaMember_019e89b0-3595-7b98-8775-6b0029452c9e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_CharlestonSouthCarolinaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_CharlestonSouthCarolinaMember_019e89b0-3595-7b98-8775-6b0029452c9e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_BostonMAMember_019f961b-b217-7115-9f6a-82fb7b47128e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_BostonMAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_BostonMAMember_019f961b-b217-7115-9f6a-82fb7b47128e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_HoustonTexasMember_019e89b0-3595-79e9-880a-ce045bc819f2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_HoustonTexasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_HoustonTexasMember_019e89b0-3595-79e9-880a-ce045bc819f2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_OtherMarketsMember_019e89b0-3595-77d3-beb6-e68ffa5fcaf9" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_OtherMarketsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c18-95c8-ff389092d155" xlink:to="loc_rlj_OtherMarketsMember_019e89b0-3595-77d3-beb6-e68ffa5fcaf9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3595-785e-8f28-a9766b9a2d97" 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_019e89b0-3595-72d8-8235-e1b62f893577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3595-785e-8f28-a9766b9a2d97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3595-7050-bc06-8adc0e67416d" 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_019e89b0-3595-72d8-8235-e1b62f893577" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3595-7050-bc06-8adc0e67416d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5_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_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" 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_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7f6e-84aa-67ecb89a9939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7f6e-84aa-67ecb89a9939" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_TheRevolverMember_019e89b0-3595-7aae-9e4c-f9370bb543c8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_TheRevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_TheRevolverMember_019e89b0-3595-7aae-9e4c-f9370bb543c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f11-9a07-e816b275e082" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f11-9a07-e816b275e082" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7b69-9c87-a3ac72ce0eb2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7b69-9c87-a3ac72ce0eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member_019e89b0-3595-7724-93ca-efb5f4307da2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member_019e89b0-3595-7724-93ca-efb5f4307da2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member_019e89b0-3595-7e43-b21e-4f5566ffe0b2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member_019e89b0-3595-7e43-b21e-4f5566ffe0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member_019e89b0-3595-70e8-b043-865680447170" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member_019e89b0-3595-70e8-b043-865680447170" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member_019e89b0-3595-7fcc-a34c-0ec9d3e8651f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member_019e89b0-3595-7fcc-a34c-0ec9d3e8651f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f_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_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" 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_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7374-9f79-217d0e11c555" 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_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7374-9f79-217d0e11c555" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ffe-bfca-868f555b8dab" 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_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ffe-bfca-868f555b8dab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ec3-b49a-b4a342153d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ec3-b49a-b4a342153d31" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f37-be71-2d3250317f7e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f37-be71-2d3250317f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7151-b39d-fddab1acc965" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7151-b39d-fddab1acc965" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-766d-b5fa-65f4dea55425" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-766d-b5fa-65f4dea55425" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-78dc-be36-c6ec4d37c0ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-78dc-be36-c6ec4d37c0ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-780d-a63a-ea4c96058d74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-780d-a63a-ea4c96058d74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019e89b0-3595-73f7-8a9c-47a169c46f80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019e89b0-3595-73f7-8a9c-47a169c46f80" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e_default" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption1Member_019e89b0-3595-7551-bc19-78110c38cd0d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOption1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption1Member_019e89b0-3595-7551-bc19-78110c38cd0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption2Member_019e89b0-3595-722a-b3d2-4512d4d993aa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOption2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption2Member_019e89b0-3595-722a-b3d2-4512d4d993aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9_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_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d39-9ceb-a1a59c2c46d1" 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_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d39-9ceb-a1a59c2c46d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-74f1-82c7-5816c6d6ca2a" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-74f1-82c7-5816c6d6ca2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7487-9ec4-c9ccc0757bba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7487-9ec4-c9ccc0757bba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-793f-b687-7e666f81210b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-793f-b687-7e666f81210b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7f26-99f9-67b26eceb4b2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7f26-99f9-67b26eceb4b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans_019e89b0-3595-754e-856e-6d0a8190a2fa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans_019e89b0-3595-754e-856e-6d0a8190a2fa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-719d-9d9e-c5a3f2e83fcd" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-719d-9d9e-c5a3f2e83fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7f59-9e09-bf78f6b135df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7f59-9e09-bf78f6b135df" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-71a3-b4fc-c38692f7228b" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-71a3-b4fc-c38692f7228b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds_019e89b0-3595-7c3f-9ae2-e9f609773de7" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds_019e89b0-3595-7c3f-9ae2-e9f609773de7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-76e1-b3f6-76812c9ba236" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-76e1-b3f6-76812c9ba236" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7409-9ff1-a3244e260d83" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7409-9ff1-a3244e260d83" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7831-b680-00643c30f708" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7831-b680-00643c30f708" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ad2-a6ed-3c136ff890ad" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ad2-a6ed-3c136ff890ad" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-798b-8c07-7fe525969f92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-798b-8c07-7fe525969f92" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e89b0-3595-7a4b-bd85-7dafb00e6bca" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e89b0-3595-7a4b-bd85-7dafb00e6bca" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount_019e89b0-3595-7ae2-9be3-c19e01c0f342" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount_019e89b0-3595-7ae2-9be3-c19e01c0f342" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e89b0-3595-7fe6-8fbf-43097428f6fd" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e89b0-3595-7fe6-8fbf-43097428f6fd" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt_019f94db-dd44-7025-b762-879c23dc4cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt_019f94db-dd44-7025-b762-879c23dc4cce" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtSeniorNotesTermLoansandRevolverDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5_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_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" 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_019e89b0-3595-7442-a170-ffa486c76fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7f6e-84aa-67ecb89a9939" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7f6e-84aa-67ecb89a9939" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_TheRevolverMember_019e89b0-3595-7aae-9e4c-f9370bb543c8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_TheRevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_TheRevolverMember_019e89b0-3595-7aae-9e4c-f9370bb543c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f11-9a07-e816b275e082" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f11-9a07-e816b275e082" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7b69-9c87-a3ac72ce0eb2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7b69-9c87-a3ac72ce0eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member_019e89b0-3595-7724-93ca-efb5f4307da2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A300MillionTermLoanMaturing2028Member_019e89b0-3595-7724-93ca-efb5f4307da2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member_019e89b0-3595-7e43-b21e-4f5566ffe0b2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A569MillionTermLoanMaturing2031Member_019e89b0-3595-7e43-b21e-4f5566ffe0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member_019e89b0-3595-70e8-b043-865680447170" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionTermLoanMaturing2027Member_019e89b0-3595-70e8-b043-865680447170" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member_019e89b0-3595-7fcc-a34c-0ec9d3e8651f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7975-acf8-ace461594e33" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A150MillionTermLoanMaturing2033Member_019e89b0-3595-7fcc-a34c-0ec9d3e8651f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" 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_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f_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_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" 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_019e89b0-3595-7c04-be46-f89c92b2cf6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7374-9f79-217d0e11c555" 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_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7374-9f79-217d0e11c555" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ffe-bfca-868f555b8dab" 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_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ffe-bfca-868f555b8dab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ec3-b49a-b4a342153d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7ec3-b49a-b4a342153d31" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f37-be71-2d3250317f7e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7f37-be71-2d3250317f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7151-b39d-fddab1acc965" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2026Member_019e89b0-3595-7151-b39d-fddab1acc965" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-766d-b5fa-65f4dea55425" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-78f6-be93-84a4f474f716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-766d-b5fa-65f4dea55425" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7c96-8bd8-422b32fa37d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-78dc-be36-c6ec4d37c0ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-78dc-be36-c6ec4d37c0ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-780d-a63a-ea4c96058d74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-755a-9b45-b93868b093cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-780d-a63a-ea4c96058d74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e_default" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsAxis_019e89b0-3595-7dc2-902b-437842a1d14e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption1Member_019e89b0-3595-7551-bc19-78110c38cd0d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOption1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption1Member_019e89b0-3595-7551-bc19-78110c38cd0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption2Member_019e89b0-3595-722a-b3d2-4512d4d993aa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ExtensionOption2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_ExtensionOptionsDomain_019e89b0-3595-7080-ba63-85b419e5bd0a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ExtensionOption2Member_019e89b0-3595-722a-b3d2-4512d4d993aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-735f-b830-940a64e35b01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9_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_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d39-9ceb-a1a59c2c46d1" 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_019e89b0-3595-7d88-82bf-19f1ae0b6bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7d39-9ceb-a1a59c2c46d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-74f1-82c7-5816c6d6ca2a" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-74f1-82c7-5816c6d6ca2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7487-9ec4-c9ccc0757bba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7487-9ec4-c9ccc0757bba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-793f-b687-7e666f81210b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-793f-b687-7e666f81210b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7f26-99f9-67b26eceb4b2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_UnsecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7f26-99f9-67b26eceb4b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans_019e89b0-3595-754e-856e-6d0a8190a2fa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsontermloans_019e89b0-3595-754e-856e-6d0a8190a2fa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-719d-9d9e-c5a3f2e83fcd" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-719d-9d9e-c5a3f2e83fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7f59-9e09-bf78f6b135df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7f59-9e09-bf78f6b135df" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-71a3-b4fc-c38692f7228b" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-71a3-b4fc-c38692f7228b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds_019e89b0-3595-7c3f-9ae2-e9f609773de7" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceCostsOnBonds_019e89b0-3595-7c3f-9ae2-e9f609773de7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-76e1-b3f6-76812c9ba236" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-76e1-b3f6-76812c9ba236" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7409-9ff1-a3244e260d83" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7409-9ff1-a3244e260d83" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7831-b680-00643c30f708" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7831-b680-00643c30f708" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ad2-a6ed-3c136ff890ad" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ad2-a6ed-3c136ff890ad" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-798b-8c07-7fe525969f92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019e89b0-3595-798b-8c07-7fe525969f92" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e89b0-3595-7a4b-bd85-7dafb00e6bca" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_019e89b0-3595-7a4b-bd85-7dafb00e6bca" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount_019e89b0-3595-7ae2-9be3-c19e01c0f342" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFeeAmount_019e89b0-3595-7ae2-9be3-c19e01c0f342" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e89b0-3595-7fe6-8fbf-43097428f6fd" 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_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019e89b0-3595-7fe6-8fbf-43097428f6fd" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt_019f94db-dd44-7025-b762-879c23dc4cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79cb-ae19-96c970c7b41d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfUnsecuredDebt_019f94db-dd44-7025-b762-879c23dc4cce" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DebtCovenantsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtCovenantsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" 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_019e89b0-3595-757c-9f4e-d12468d4b3fc" 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_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-757c-9f4e-d12468d4b3fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a" 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_019e89b0-3595-757c-9f4e-d12468d4b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a_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_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73a3-9de9-56f7c7a60cf1" 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_019e89b0-3595-73f7-9b73-8e17dcaf675a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73a3-9de9-56f7c7a60cf1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_OriginalCovenantMember_019e89b0-3595-734a-84eb-0a14caa19477" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_OriginalCovenantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73a3-9de9-56f7c7a60cf1" xlink:to="loc_rlj_OriginalCovenantMember_019e89b0-3595-734a-84eb-0a14caa19477" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019f951e-12d6-7ff0-9bf3-f10325718b1f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-73a3-9de9-56f7c7a60cf1" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A500MillionSeniorNotesDue2029Member_019f951e-12d6-7ff0-9bf3-f10325718b1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797" 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_019e89b0-3595-757c-9f4e-d12468d4b3fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797_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_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7034-8451-b24b82f7c42a" 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_019e89b0-3595-7cf4-a72d-ec0983c29797" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7034-8451-b24b82f7c42a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-765f-a085-33693764756c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7034-8451-b24b82f7c42a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-765f-a085-33693764756c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnencumberedAssetToUnencumberedDebtRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ab7-992d-2a9f4f9a4d18" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnencumberedAssetToUnencumberedDebtRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnencumberedAssetToUnencumberedDebtRatio_019e89b0-3595-7ab7-992d-2a9f4f9a4d18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumConsolidatedIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-7540-9711-a31b9e8b4259" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumConsolidatedIndebtednessRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumConsolidatedIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-7540-9711-a31b9e8b4259" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumSecuredIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-71fe-ad85-21388ce90da4" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumSecuredIndebtednessRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumSecuredIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-71fe-ad85-21388ce90da4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnsecuredInterestCoverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7278-b6b7-b2d3d7b6de26" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnsecuredInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumUnsecuredInterestCoverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7278-b6b7-b2d3d7b6de26" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7df7-a4fc-52b9706af437" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumLeverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7df7-a4fc-52b9706af437" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7038-96db-b37a4cc8ccad" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio_019e89b0-3595-7038-96db-b37a4cc8ccad" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-7127-81eb-08617155c1f8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatio_019e89b0-3595-7127-81eb-08617155c1f8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatioDueToAcquisition_019e89b0-3595-7f81-a36a-664df50ef105" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatioDueToAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7554-a7f9-e76e3171a8b8" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumUnsecuredIndebtednessRatioDueToAcquisition_019e89b0-3595-7f81-a36a-664df50ef105" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtMortgageLoansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DebtMortgageLoansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtMortgageLoansDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" 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_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" 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_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1" 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_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1_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_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a0c-8117-dc93454ec45e" 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_019e89b0-3595-7611-9c73-c5981293acb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a0c-8117-dc93454ec45e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A91.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7b9a-92bb-eaddadc84b6d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A91.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a0c-8117-dc93454ec45e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A91.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member_019e89b0-3595-7b9a-92bb-eaddadc84b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A72.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member_019e89b0-3595-75aa-89b5-4f650cd3b07e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A72.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a0c-8117-dc93454ec45e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A72.7MMortgageLoanDueApril2029Member_019e89b0-3595-75aa-89b5-4f650cd3b07e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5" 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_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5_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_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-784b-9418-12fb38349756" 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_019e89b0-3595-79a2-93c6-376f124f1ed5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-784b-9418-12fb38349756" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-75f4-b510-ea52aac8abb6" 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_019e89b0-3595-784b-9418-12fb38349756" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-75f4-b510-ea52aac8abb6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-725d-ae93-9f2dadcc081f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-784b-9418-12fb38349756" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-725d-ae93-9f2dadcc081f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261_default" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain_019e89b0-3595-793d-ade3-d013fd1bd74e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a6c-a3fb-ba3bada5e261" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain_019e89b0-3595-793d-ade3-d013fd1bd74e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_WellsFargoLender3Member_019e89b0-3595-7f7b-a953-1eee03f55b0d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_WellsFargoLender3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentLenderDomain_019e89b0-3595-793d-ade3-d013fd1bd74e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_WellsFargoLender3Member_019e89b0-3595-7f7b-a953-1eee03f55b0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-7a54-abfd-49a41cc4a5b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7460-a364-9c196061b77c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7db2-8a60-9a3076349f69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7460-a364-9c196061b77c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-71c5-8d6e-4b38c9457c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7460-a364-9c196061b77c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-71c5-8d6e-4b38c9457c88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NumberOfAssetsEncumbered_019e89b0-3595-7c17-bc8b-ffddfe6e8eee" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NumberOfAssetsEncumbered"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NumberOfAssetsEncumbered_019e89b0-3595-7c17-bc8b-ffddfe6e8eee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-70dd-af4c-0332644a836c" 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_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019e89b0-3595-70dd-af4c-0332644a836c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7d84-ba22-ba76af5f3856" 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_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7d84-ba22-ba76af5f3856" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-71b9-82e1-05436b2286c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019e89b0-3595-71b9-82e1-05436b2286c4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7999-8465-b6ed2e2d269d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SecuredDebtGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SecuredDebtGross_019e89b0-3595-7999-8465-b6ed2e2d269d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsonmortgageloans_019e89b0-3595-7c6b-b972-063b5c276659" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsonmortgageloans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Unamortizeddebtissuancecostsonmortgageloans_019e89b0-3595-7c6b-b972-063b5c276659" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentFairValueAdjustmentNet_019e89b0-3595-729a-9bd3-b04c9c0f7b4a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentFairValueAdjustmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentFairValueAdjustmentNet_019e89b0-3595-729a-9bd3-b04c9c0f7b4a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7369-8aed-c8ba8b91faa2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentAdditionalMaturityTerm_019e89b0-3595-7369-8aed-c8ba8b91faa2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7d5b-8621-9b7ec5fc3855" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7d5b-8621-9b7ec5fc3855" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7949-a607-666439b078ee" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_DebtInstrumentNumberOfExtensionOptions_019e89b0-3595-7949-a607-666439b078ee" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuredDebt_019f9a83-287a-78bf-8920-a4d18ae7147e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-79fc-9c48-7b5710b2ffa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSecuredDebt_019f9a83-287a-78bf-8920-a4d18ae7147e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtComponentsofInterestExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DebtComponentsofInterestExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DebtComponentsofInterestExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" 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_019e89b0-3595-743b-a4df-3de44e72789d" 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_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019e89b0-3595-743b-a4df-3de44e72789d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592" 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_019e89b0-3595-743b-a4df-3de44e72789d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592_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_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-743f-bf97-934b02a31262" 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_019e89b0-3595-7ff1-9ec8-2ab6efa5b592" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-743f-bf97-934b02a31262" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7aed-8247-36f4a90a2aa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-743f-bf97-934b02a31262" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7aed-8247-36f4a90a2aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7f8c-af05-a1b8ce207d2d" 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_019e89b0-3595-743f-bf97-934b02a31262" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019e89b0-3595-7f8c-af05-a1b8ce207d2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7af5-a816-6295b863e2a9" 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_019e89b0-3595-743f-bf97-934b02a31262" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-7af5-a816-6295b863e2a9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization_019e89b0-3595-7fe4-8320-edaf2502480b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization_019e89b0-3595-7fe4-8320-edaf2502480b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019e89b0-3595-74e7-85d1-c2cba2ebc3f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_019e89b0-3595-74e7-85d1-c2cba2ebc3f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet_019f950c-9f3c-72e0-bc08-a3a44b14a99c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassifiedToEarningsNet_019f950c-9f3c-72e0-bc08-a3a44b14a99c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInterestRateDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments_019e89b0-3595-78d1-a0c8-205629679c32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInterestRateDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInterestRateDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstruments_019e89b0-3595-78d1-a0c8-205629679c32" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019e89b0-3595-7c98-9a04-3ef5cd3f795f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7815-861d-48368be04cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019e89b0-3595-7c98-9a04-3ef5cd3f795f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesScheduleofinterestrateswapsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesScheduleofinterestrateswapsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesScheduleofinterestrateswapsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e89b0-3595-7104-8f30-87101c7ab218" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e89b0-3595-7104-8f30-87101c7ab218" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e89b0-3595-7104-8f30-87101c7ab218" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb33f-9704-7016-bf40-3e495e89029e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap0.56Member_019fb33f-9704-7783-8f92-55634a547a12" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap0.56Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap0.56Member_019fb33f-9704-7783-8f92-55634a547a12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap295Member_019fb33f-9704-7bfb-a668-b1c4ca3df439" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap295Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap295Member_019fb33f-9704-7bfb-a668-b1c4ca3df439" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.70Member_019fb33f-9704-74b9-94ec-c6f83fba34e5" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.70Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.70Member_019fb33f-9704-74b9-94ec-c6f83fba34e5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.45Member_019fb33f-9704-7a93-b031-c687034ef959" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.45Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.45Member_019fb33f-9704-7a93-b031-c687034ef959" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.71Member_019fb33f-9704-7408-a2d5-346521ca8359" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.71Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.71Member_019fb33f-9704-7408-a2d5-346521ca8359" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.10Member_019fb33f-9704-76a0-92a2-27df181c7060" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.10Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.10Member_019fb33f-9704-76a0-92a2-27df181c7060" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.20Member_019fb33f-9704-7b1d-87be-c93ecdc9dc2b" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.20Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.20Member_019fb33f-9704-7b1d-87be-c93ecdc9dc2b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.40Member_019fb33f-9704-7780-901c-5aa874a3bcec" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.40Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.40Member_019fb33f-9704-7780-901c-5aa874a3bcec" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.302Member_019fb33f-9704-7886-93ca-f4e1b5de0b00" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.302Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.302Member_019fb33f-9704-7886-93ca-f4e1b5de0b00" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.30Member_019fb33f-9704-7232-ad7b-9ac16cea63b2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.30Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.30Member_019fb33f-9704-7232-ad7b-9ac16cea63b2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.19Member_019fb33f-9704-7b39-a802-9db033be5e5b" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.19Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.19Member_019fb33f-9704-7b39-a802-9db033be5e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.25Member_019fb33f-9704-7ab9-9ac1-011352425443" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.25Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.25Member_019fb33f-9704-7ab9-9ac1-011352425443" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.29Member_019fb33f-9704-7d92-a3a3-1f08380834d4" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.29Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.29Member_019fb33f-9704-7d92-a3a3-1f08380834d4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.00Member_019fb33f-9704-70b8-83f4-1e9dad8525de" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.00Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.00Member_019fb33f-9704-70b8-83f4-1e9dad8525de" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.05Member_019fb33f-9704-7ee1-930b-9ff0ee071d2c" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.05Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.05Member_019fb33f-9704-7ee1-930b-9ff0ee071d2c" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.55Member_019fb33f-9704-7658-89fe-4afb1901bcef" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.55Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.55Member_019fb33f-9704-7658-89fe-4afb1901bcef" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap285Member_019fb33f-9704-72af-9ed2-8e54094e45c6" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap285Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap285Member_019fb33f-9704-72af-9ed2-8e54094e45c6" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.52Member_019fb33f-9704-7fe0-ae17-50468a497401" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwap3.52Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwap3.52Member_019fb33f-9704-7fe0-ae17-50468a497401" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwapNew275Member_019fb33f-9704-72f4-9219-ee6b57d50bad" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_InterestRateSwapNew275Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb33f-9704-7295-9c81-d0ab1c213139" xlink:to="loc_rlj_InterestRateSwapNew275Member_019fb33f-9704-72f4-9219-ee6b57d50bad" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019e89b0-3595-7104-8f30-87101c7ab218" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019fb33f-9704-745e-87d4-4452165adf6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019fb33f-9704-75b2-9426-d4024286ef32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019fb33f-9704-745e-87d4-4452165adf6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019fb33f-9704-7dc6-93c4-d8c347df79a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019fb33f-9704-745e-87d4-4452165adf6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019fb33f-9704-7dc6-93c4-d8c347df79a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_019fb33f-9704-76fc-a0e0-7b4d932dffd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFixedInterestRate_019fb33f-9704-76fc-a0e0-7b4d932dffd1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_019fb33f-9704-7435-a688-e3df673a8291" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_019fb33f-9704-7435-a688-e3df673a8291" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb33f-9704-7da2-86f9-94f36370e9b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb33f-9704-7da2-86f9-94f36370e9b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-9c4d-7343-abbe-91cb9ed5907b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-9c4d-7343-abbe-91cb9ed5907b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_019fb33f-9704-78e4-b9fa-1a01f79d57cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_019fb33f-9704-78e4-b9fa-1a01f79d57cc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_019fb33f-e7b9-7a9d-8df0-4741fb77e3f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb33f-9704-7245-a404-96adfadf2363" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_019fb33f-e7b9-7a9d-8df0-4741fb77e3f0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019fb341-fac2-7155-8dfe-4436af302dbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019fb341-fac2-7155-8dfe-4436af302dbd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019fb341-fac2-7e09-b8b8-4b313a6bde38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019fb341-fac2-7e09-b8b8-4b313a6bde38" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fb341-fac2-7898-803c-fc6442b8ab85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fb341-fac2-7898-803c-fc6442b8ab85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-788d-bdbb-c7b6369cdad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-788d-bdbb-c7b6369cdad0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-7211-96ec-4c7afcceb9c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-7211-96ec-4c7afcceb9c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fb341-fac2-787c-a5e9-7dbde5d88755" 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_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fb341-fac2-787c-a5e9-7dbde5d88755" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet_019fb341-fac2-7d60-8190-7503d5dd1b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet_019fb341-fac2-7d60-8190-7503d5dd1b13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019fb341-fac2-7130-810e-747824566ee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019fb341-fac2-7130-810e-747824566ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019fb341-fac2-7e05-adfd-ff393e957cc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019fb341-fac2-7e05-adfd-ff393e957cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019fb341-fac2-76d6-95c0-29dc04966ff1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019fb341-fac2-7155-8dfe-4436af302dbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019fb341-fac2-763b-be6e-8f150ab721de" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019fb341-fac2-7155-8dfe-4436af302dbd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019fb341-fac2-7544-9a13-d24d5f696ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019fb341-fac2-771b-8791-375e92f1fe91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fb341-fac2-7898-803c-fc6442b8ab85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019fb341-fac2-705c-8c04-f71e802cdb8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019fb341-fac2-7898-803c-fc6442b8ab85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-788d-bdbb-c7b6369cdad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-788d-bdbb-c7b6369cdad0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-7211-96ec-4c7afcceb9c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019fb341-fac2-7211-96ec-4c7afcceb9c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fb341-fac2-787c-a5e9-7dbde5d88755" 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_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019fb341-fac2-787c-a5e9-7dbde5d88755" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet_019fb341-fac2-7d60-8190-7503d5dd1b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossFromComponentsExcludedFromAssessmentOfCashFlowHedgeEffectivenessNet_019fb341-fac2-7d60-8190-7503d5dd1b13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019fb341-fac2-7130-810e-747824566ee8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019fb341-fac2-7130-810e-747824566ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019fb341-fac2-7e05-adfd-ff393e957cc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019fb341-fac2-7bf3-a860-96b59f3340b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_019fb341-fac2-7e05-adfd-ff393e957cc2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/FairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#FairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/FairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d_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_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71be-8a3c-f07bc46bce5b" 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_019e89b0-3595-7efa-bace-c51d60e71d1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71be-8a3c-f07bc46bce5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7aa5-938b-31bc6de301cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-71be-8a3c-f07bc46bce5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019e89b0-3595-7aa5-938b-31bc6de301cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9f-9a31-0a45d3e86d01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019e89b0-3595-7330-a3c6-70733f1902ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9f-9a31-0a45d3e86d01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-7b1b-96aa-e733a40f6320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9f-9a31-0a45d3e86d01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019e89b0-3595-7b1b-96aa-e733a40f6320" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e89b0-3595-7ef4-8312-6f357e006b2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9f-9a31-0a45d3e86d01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019e89b0-3595-7ef4-8312-6f357e006b2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-71b1-9b55-ab00d22679ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9f-9a31-0a45d3e86d01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019e89b0-3595-71b1-9b55-ab00d22679ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf_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_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-767b-a965-758f8e83e6a4" 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_019e89b0-3595-7213-b983-a656d4364baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-767b-a965-758f8e83e6a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-79c4-af45-12b27f3a9f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-767b-a965-758f8e83e6a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-79c4-af45-12b27f3a9f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-76ce-99f1-b9ef881eefe8" 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_019e89b0-3595-767b-a965-758f8e83e6a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019e89b0-3595-76ce-99f1-b9ef881eefe8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-77fa-94a2-d999e1c2ff99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019e89b0-3595-7a32-9004-a4aac5086eb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-77fa-94a2-d999e1c2ff99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e89b0-3595-79c8-af12-628bb60c2ffc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019e89b0-3595-77fa-94a2-d999e1c2ff99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019e89b0-3595-79c8-af12-628bb60c2ffc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019e89b0-3595-7cbd-ad61-aa9e4451f722" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9a-b1bb-8818762f6652" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_019e89b0-3595-7f93-ab6f-5d40d131750b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9a-b1bb-8818762f6652" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e89b0-3595-782e-9db5-f39555fc689d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_019e89b0-3595-7b9a-b1bb-8818762f6652" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_019e89b0-3595-782e-9db5-f39555fc689d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-7b82-ac3a-8075086c340f" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019e89b0-3595-7b82-ac3a-8075086c340f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7ede-bca1-8b6964281d12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7ede-bca1-8b6964281d12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7753-a346-d68509918e3e" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_019e89b0-3595-7753-a346-d68509918e3e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7896-aadd-c4275966f41b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019e89b0-3595-7896-aadd-c4275966f41b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-73da-9433-c7b6d5026a3a" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-73da-9433-c7b6d5026a3a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-7761-a5a7-3798c9494084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeAssetAtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-7761-a5a7-3798c9494084" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-79f9-8edc-0f0b116d5a46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_019e89b0-3595-79f9-8edc-0f0b116d5a46" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_019e89b0-3595-7cfd-b903-6cd009a30e37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7a75-9daa-ed91752a2409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_019e89b0-3595-7cfd-b903-6cd009a30e37" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" 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_019e89b0-3595-7dd2-ae31-98054c50c8ed" 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_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_019e89b0-3595-7dd2-ae31-98054c50c8ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d" 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_019e89b0-3595-7dd2-ae31-98054c50c8ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d_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_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3595-7c50-a4c0-3ed2d976b627" 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_019e89b0-3595-7bae-971d-a2f01b9d591d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3595-7c50-a4c0-3ed2d976b627" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3595-782b-8dc1-c0dc732c2591" 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_019e89b0-3595-7c50-a4c0-3ed2d976b627" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3595-782b-8dc1-c0dc732c2591" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3595-79ff-8c5e-72df81050e35" 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_019e89b0-3595-7c50-a4c0-3ed2d976b627" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3595-79ff-8c5e-72df81050e35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d" 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_LossContingenciesTable_019e89b0-3595-7dd2-ae31-98054c50c8ed" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d_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_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-70cb-a4ce-94d57a6dd47a" 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_019e89b0-3595-781c-a151-5d04bb3fd84d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_019e89b0-3595-70cb-a4ce-94d57a6dd47a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMinimum_019e89b0-3595-737f-9603-7fc02447c18a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMinimum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMinimum_019e89b0-3595-737f-9603-7fc02447c18a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMaximum_019e89b0-3595-70a5-a7d6-874bd5686291" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RestrictedCashReservesEscrowsAsPercentageOfRevenueRequiredToBeMaintainedMaximum_019e89b0-3595-70a5-a7d6-874bd5686291" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e89b0-3595-7583-adb1-31415b6eb43c" 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_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_019e89b0-3595-7583-adb1-31415b6eb43c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-7307-90ec-090f301fd847" 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_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-7307-90ec-090f301fd847" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWithManchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-70ec-adf7-c49d1c8c03e5" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWithManchiseAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_019e89b0-3595-7aec-b445-e6dd5f666414" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesWithManchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-70ec-adf7-c49d1c8c03e5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesManagementAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesManagementAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesManagementAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-71b2-b532-5d1c7e3ac17e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-71b2-b532-5d1c7e3ac17e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b" 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_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-71b2-b532-5d1c7e3ac17e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b_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_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7512-aeb5-ba775b00ad78" 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_019e89b0-3646-758b-86ea-6cbdbca1d42b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7512-aeb5-ba775b00ad78" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_019e89b0-3646-7a57-b6c8-664baaf08aba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7512-aeb5-ba775b00ad78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_019e89b0-3646-7a57-b6c8-664baaf08aba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3" 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_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-71b2-b532-5d1c7e3ac17e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3_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_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-7118-a96e-bc30741798e1" 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_019e89b0-3646-77d8-9caa-381f3ec7c3d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-7118-a96e-bc30741798e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-75fe-aa14-15508fef5b05" 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_019e89b0-3646-7118-a96e-bc30741798e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-75fe-aa14-15508fef5b05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-7eeb-93f7-5f0fa182ba61" 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_019e89b0-3646-7118-a96e-bc30741798e1" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-7eeb-93f7-5f0fa182ba61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderManagementAgreements_019e89b0-3646-784c-b0c3-7a009322c623" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderManagementAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderManagementAgreements_019e89b0-3646-784c-b0c3-7a009322c623" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ManagementAgreementTerm_019e89b0-3646-741b-8df6-34c9296bbc05" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ManagementAgreementTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ManagementAgreementTerm_019e89b0-3646-741b-8df6-34c9296bbc05" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-7ea5-b80a-3d5297a4fd79" 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_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-7ea5-b80a-3d5297a4fd79" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_BaseManagementFeeAsPercentageOfHotelRevenues_019e89b0-3646-7a03-ba51-e2a1651c6d13" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_BaseManagementFeeAsPercentageOfHotelRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_rlj_BaseManagementFeeAsPercentageOfHotelRevenues_019e89b0-3646-7a03-ba51-e2a1651c6d13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_BaseManchiseFeeasPercentageofHotelRevenues_019e89b0-3646-7a4f-aff7-16e45079398d" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_BaseManchiseFeeasPercentageofHotelRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_rlj_BaseManchiseFeeasPercentageofHotelRevenues_019e89b0-3646-7a4f-aff7-16e45079398d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019e89b0-3646-7df3-bfa4-111a5bf0b541" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7ea4-b4de-b7db09f5a936" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019e89b0-3646-7df3-bfa4-111a5bf0b541" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesFranchiseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesFranchiseAgreementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesFranchiseAgreementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-7a29-881f-53cc2bdead9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-7a29-881f-53cc2bdead9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f" 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_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-7a29-881f-53cc2bdead9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f_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_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-78d3-b7b7-46fb448e9691" 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_019e89b0-3646-7ed2-8d6f-2d84679fe13f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-78d3-b7b7-46fb448e9691" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_019e89b0-3646-7625-bd1d-18e7b604b089" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FranchiseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-78d3-b7b7-46fb448e9691" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FranchiseMember_019e89b0-3646-7625-bd1d-18e7b604b089" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54" 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_OtherCommitmentsTable_019e89b0-3646-7a29-881f-53cc2bdead9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54_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_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-76cc-b9ff-c775461eb79c" 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_019e89b0-3646-76c2-a23e-dded5f871c54" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-76cc-b9ff-c775461eb79c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-7e78-9cf5-1ebeb9584070" 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_019e89b0-3646-76cc-b9ff-c775461eb79c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-7e78-9cf5-1ebeb9584070" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-788a-8d0c-2238a4f28dab" 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_019e89b0-3646-76cc-b9ff-c775461eb79c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-788a-8d0c-2238a4f28dab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderFranchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-7013-846b-fe5799e7d579" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderFranchiseAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NumberOfRealEstatePropertiesOperatedUnderFranchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-7013-846b-fe5799e7d579" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsTerm_019e89b0-3646-7b0b-a22d-e0548a573029" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FranchiseAgreementsTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsTerm_019e89b0-3646-7b0b-a22d-e0548a573029" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-79da-8f1f-07ee634ae195" 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_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_019e89b0-3646-79da-8f1f-07ee634ae195" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue_019e89b0-3646-72a0-add6-272b1d784798" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue_019e89b0-3646-72a0-add6-272b1d784798" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsAdditionalFeesForMarketingCentralReservationSystemsAndOtherFranchisorCostsAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue_019e89b0-3646-7851-b71d-c38fbc31f2ff" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FranchiseAgreementsAdditionalFeesForMarketingCentralReservationSystemsAndOtherFranchisorCostsAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsAdditionalFeesForMarketingCentralReservationSystemsAndOtherFranchisorCostsAsPercentageOfRoomRevenue_019e89b0-3646-7851-b71d-c38fbc31f2ff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfFoodAndBeverageRevenue_019e89b0-3646-7dae-8e98-87f4092c4dff" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfFoodAndBeverageRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_FranchiseAgreementsRoyaltyFeeAsPercentageOfFoodAndBeverageRevenue_019e89b0-3646-7dae-8e98-87f4092c4dff" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019e89b0-3646-730f-bb9b-f380d81fe0e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019e89b0-3646-730f-bb9b-f380d81fe0e3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_NumberOfHotelsWithoutFranchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-75b4-83c1-13e924676476" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_NumberOfHotelsWithoutFranchiseAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsLineItems_019e89b0-3646-75f2-8071-591c773e0edf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_NumberOfHotelsWithoutFranchiseAgreements_019e89b0-3646-75b4-83c1-13e924676476" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/EquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#EquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/EquityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e89b0-3646-7828-b944-e798e92e12c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019e89b0-3646-7830-ae25-19e862e9fe86" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e89b0-3646-7828-b944-e798e92e12c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A2026ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_019e89b0-3646-7510-bd7c-18a515087a6a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A2026ShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019e89b0-3646-7828-b944-e798e92e12c7" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A2026ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_019e89b0-3646-7510-bd7c-18a515087a6a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb" 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_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb_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_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3646-7123-828e-bae509fd8d40" 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_019e89b0-3646-7b80-b28f-f49bed8de9eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3646-7123-828e-bae509fd8d40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3646-747f-91c3-beb24e8fa3a7" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019e89b0-3646-7123-828e-bae509fd8d40" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SeriesACumulativePreferredStockMember_019e89b0-3646-747f-91c3-beb24e8fa3a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e89b0-3646-7ae4-8f65-9d6895f4d422" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019e89b0-3646-789b-aef5-119d4e74b67e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e89b0-3646-7ae4-8f65-9d6895f4d422" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_TheKnickerbockerNewYorkMember_019e89b0-3646-79c5-846e-bc4f62f6636e" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_TheKnickerbockerNewYorkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019e89b0-3646-7ae4-8f65-9d6895f4d422" xlink:to="loc_rlj_TheKnickerbockerNewYorkMember_019e89b0-3646-79c5-846e-bc4f62f6636e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfTreasuryStockTable_019e89b0-3646-78be-b78e-2896f1f771ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-79a9-afe3-b1a473b53f24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_019e89b0-3646-74b8-adf0-5858629f4201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-79a9-afe3-b1a473b53f24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e89b0-3646-7bd3-80ee-714c626f3bd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-79a9-afe3-b1a473b53f24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_019e89b0-3646-7bd3-80ee-714c626f3bd7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e89b0-3646-7dba-a16f-237e4f032cf1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e89b0-3646-7dba-a16f-237e4f032cf1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e89b0-3646-7b34-be03-571adeeb493a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019e89b0-3646-7b34-be03-571adeeb493a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019e89b0-3646-7a48-afc0-103637172c04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019e89b0-3646-7a48-afc0-103637172c04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e89b0-3646-792f-adec-5d3a0cb2f2b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019e89b0-3646-792f-adec-5d3a0cb2f2b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e89b0-3646-72dd-b575-979a3a8098bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019e89b0-3646-72dd-b575-979a3a8098bf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e89b0-3646-7a30-99d6-fb3c00579d04" 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_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_019e89b0-3646-7a30-99d6-fb3c00579d04" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019e89b0-3646-73ac-9213-a70ae85f391a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockConvertibleConversionRatio_019e89b0-3646-73ac-9213-a70ae85f391a" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_019e89b0-3646-76c9-880a-94549ecbdc9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_019e89b0-3646-76c9-880a-94549ecbdc9d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019e89b0-3646-76a8-a622-e15c0bdfd384" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityClassOfTreasuryStockLineItems_019e89b0-3646-78bc-9f80-ab47522e0452" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnits_019e89b0-3646-76a8-a622-e15c0bdfd384" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/EquityIncentivePlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#EquityIncentivePlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/EquityIncentivePlanDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e89b0-3646-7df7-aaa6-1de16ae19fed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e89b0-3646-7df7-aaa6-1de16ae19fed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262" 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_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e89b0-3646-7df7-aaa6-1de16ae19fed" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262_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_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-7cf9-af79-75da7d3923fb" 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_019e89b0-3646-78e7-8c2b-7a4323623262" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019e89b0-3646-7cf9-af79-75da7d3923fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-7d65-ae83-d20380233f91" 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_019e89b0-3646-7cf9-af79-75da7d3923fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019e89b0-3646-7d65-ae83-d20380233f91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-7e03-8f38-ad706527893d" 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_019e89b0-3646-7cf9-af79-75da7d3923fb" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019e89b0-3646-7e03-8f38-ad706527893d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019e89b0-3646-7df7-aaa6-1de16ae19fed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019e89b0-3646-70aa-9e02-05b4bcb2fa78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e89b0-3646-7f6f-b3b3-9781527a0105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_019e89b0-3646-7f6f-b3b3-9781527a0105" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-760a-a3a9-3164473df132" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-760a-a3a9-3164473df132" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A2023PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7824-acdd-dda10c49f3f8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A2023PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A2023PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7824-acdd-dda10c49f3f8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A2024PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7785-b942-958128f7e609" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A2024PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A2024PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7785-b942-958128f7e609" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A2025PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7adb-aac3-0d5e90edd50f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A2025PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A2025PerformanceSharesMember_019e89b0-3646-7adb-aac3-0d5e90edd50f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_A2026PerformanceSharesMember_019f9621-cbf3-7e14-a943-3278295cc0e6" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_A2026PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019e89b0-3646-7385-b09d-584b29ddbf9e" xlink:to="loc_rlj_A2026PerformanceSharesMember_019f9621-cbf3-7e14-a943-3278295cc0e6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e89b0-3646-7f86-8bda-b8beb62c4a7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e89b0-3646-7f86-8bda-b8beb62c4a7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7678-9cc5-8cc41896597b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7678-9cc5-8cc41896597b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7558-a9c5-37689e17b501" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7558-a9c5-37689e17b501" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7ae6-8f89-f2d34fe49ca7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7c36-9004-34f23c188fe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019e89b0-3646-7ae6-8f89-f2d34fe49ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019e89b0-3646-70f8-ba87-2402b350d22f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7586-8403-4df09a37a807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7586-8403-4df09a37a807" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7820-afc9-399e11fd406b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7820-afc9-399e11fd406b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7f77-be53-c14998f1d76c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7f77-be53-c14998f1d76c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7405-b755-8f5573e063f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_019e89b0-3646-7f47-8043-2dd9591c89e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7405-b755-8f5573e063f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7126-993f-4fea9c30f052" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e89b0-3646-7ab0-a592-034582c382e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019e89b0-3646-7ab0-a592-034582c382e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_019e89b0-3646-7f6b-a8ca-ed228ceccf90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_019e89b0-3646-7f6b-a8ca-ed228ceccf90" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e89b0-3646-7e36-aba1-5b2349d53726" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_019e89b0-3646-7e36-aba1-5b2349d53726" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7ae4-9457-7d7e80ba5b41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_019e89b0-3646-7ae4-9457-7d7e80ba5b41" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnDeclineBeforePayoutPercentageCap_019e89b0-3646-7d2a-9057-82a147bfa40a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnDeclineBeforePayoutPercentageCap"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnDeclineBeforePayoutPercentageCap_019e89b0-3646-7d2a-9057-82a147bfa40a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageCap_019e89b0-3646-7d33-8c03-408bebfaf515" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageCap"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageCap_019e89b0-3646-7d33-8c03-408bebfaf515" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageReduction_019e89b0-3646-7d23-b41b-3811421f96f7" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageReduction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayoutPercentageReduction_019e89b0-3646-7d23-b41b-3811421f96f7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnMinimumBeforePayoutPercentageReduction_019e89b0-3646-79c5-a092-61583467470b" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnMinimumBeforePayoutPercentageReduction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_019e89b0-3646-7879-97bd-077f6e0e5970" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturnMinimumBeforePayoutPercentageReduction_019e89b0-3646-79c5-a092-61583467470b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3646-7bb9-b57e-f9309ef35c61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_019e89b0-3646-7bb9-b57e-f9309ef35c61" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceBasedVestingPeriod_019e89b0-3646-707e-a204-db45986860a8" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceBasedVestingPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPerformanceBasedVestingPeriod_019e89b0-3646-707e-a204-db45986860a8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfGrantDateFairValueRecognizedOverThreeYears_019e89b0-3646-7a9d-88bb-8effb21fe8aa" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfGrantDateFairValueRecognizedOverThreeYears"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptionsPercentageOfGrantDateFairValueRecognizedOverThreeYears_019e89b0-3646-7a9d-88bb-8effb21fe8aa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition_019e89b0-3646-7036-8d4d-6ebfcb5f1109" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition_019e89b0-3646-7036-8d4d-6ebfcb5f1109" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Sharedbasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardconversionpercentageofunitsgrantedinperiod_019e89b0-3646-7586-ba7b-5839502fb3e2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Sharedbasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardconversionpercentageofunitsgrantedinperiod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Sharedbasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardconversionpercentageofunitsgrantedinperiod_019e89b0-3646-7586-ba7b-5839502fb3e2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturn_019e89b0-3646-7cbc-be0d-f3674bdf4379" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturn"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonAbsoluteTotalShareholderReturn_019e89b0-3646-7cbc-be0d-f3674bdf4379" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonRelativeTotalShareholderReturn_019e89b0-3646-74dd-8831-c043df31ab7f" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonRelativeTotalShareholderReturn"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardContingentonRelativeTotalShareholderReturn_019e89b0-3646-74dd-8831-c043df31ab7f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodIntrinsicValue_019e89b0-3646-7cbb-90db-a2241d85c4b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodIntrinsicValue_019e89b0-3646-7cbb-90db-a2241d85c4b1" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardConversionPercentageRange_019e89b0-3646-790c-856e-dfbd87c5a3c1" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardConversionPercentageRange"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_SharedBasedCompensationArrangementbyShareBasedPaymentAwardConversionPercentageRange_019e89b0-3646-790c-856e-dfbd87c5a3c1" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_019e89b0-3646-73e3-a429-f3083dd5773e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_019e89b0-3646-73e3-a429-f3083dd5773e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_019e89b0-3646-7351-b22b-095e0d83a5d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_019e89b0-3646-7351-b22b-095e0d83a5d2" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_019e89b0-3646-7b5f-9fed-32705df19a72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_019e89b0-3646-7b5f-9fed-32705df19a72" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_Sharebasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardvestingrightspercentageimmediately_019e89b0-3646-703a-a7ca-334a2295fc8b" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_Sharebasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardvestingrightspercentageimmediately"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7984-9670-b8f4213b359a" xlink:to="loc_rlj_Sharebasedcompensationarrangementbysharebasedpaymentawardvestingrightspercentageimmediately_019e89b0-3646-703a-a7ca-334a2295fc8b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SegmentInformationOperatingIncomeLossbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#SegmentInformationOperatingIncomeLossbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SegmentInformationOperatingIncomeLossbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" 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_019e89b0-3646-78ee-b805-092286dce5b5" 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_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e89b0-3646-78ee-b805-092286dce5b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506" 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_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e89b0-3646-78ee-b805-092286dce5b5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506_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_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" 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_019e89b0-3646-775b-a5c5-ff4f732b6506" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3646-70bd-94af-fd585ef01db1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_019e89b0-3646-70bd-94af-fd585ef01db1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3646-7a74-82c8-1db89f3ee662" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_019e89b0-3646-7a74-82c8-1db89f3ee662" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3646-7db9-9e43-e8b444f8f7dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HotelOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_019e89b0-3646-7db9-9e43-e8b444f8f7dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember_019e89b0-3646-7a13-8048-763ec08a944a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019e89b0-3646-7335-8081-9f6c36fc0cb6" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ManagementAndFranchiseFeeExpenseMember_019e89b0-3646-7a13-8048-763ec08a944a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba" 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_019e89b0-3646-78ee-b805-092286dce5b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba_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_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7942-8098-378aa7c02477" 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_019e89b0-3646-7f7a-96d5-83ad128317ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7942-8098-378aa7c02477" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ReportableSegmentMember_019e89b0-3646-77dc-bf7f-258f9f42c6a2" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7942-8098-378aa7c02477" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ReportableSegmentMember_019e89b0-3646-77dc-bf7f-258f9f42c6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3646-722b-92f2-23df89afa551" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019e89b0-3646-722b-92f2-23df89afa551" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3646-7c27-9719-be796f0000ef" 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_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019e89b0-3646-7c27-9719-be796f0000ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_019e89b0-3646-74d1-806c-ed4e9fa8770b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_019e89b0-3646-74d1-806c-ed4e9fa8770b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance_019e89b0-3646-70d2-9cfa-83b3bea1232b" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_rlj_RealEstateTaxesRentAndInsurance_019e89b0-3646-70d2-9cfa-83b3bea1232b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019e89b0-3646-7171-927a-3542afe6e41e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019e89b0-3646-7171-927a-3542afe6e41e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3646-771e-a81e-32e1bbca45a9" 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_019e89b0-3646-7a39-85b9-0076f643b5e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3646-771e-a81e-32e1bbca45a9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofSegmentOperatingIncomeLosstotheCompanysDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationofSegmentOperatingIncomeLosstotheCompanysDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://rljlodgingtrust.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationofSegmentOperatingIncomeLosstotheCompanysDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" 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_019e89b0-3646-78ff-bfe1-78465d685f11" 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_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019e89b0-3646-78ff-bfe1-78465d685f11" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e" 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_019e89b0-3646-78ff-bfe1-78465d685f11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e_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_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7058-9be3-5dab6bcd2faf" 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_019e89b0-3646-744a-a0ad-f365cd5a884e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7058-9be3-5dab6bcd2faf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_ReportableSegmentMember_019e89b0-3646-7f7c-a450-2c72b75947b1" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019e89b0-3646-7058-9be3-5dab6bcd2faf" xlink:to="loc_rlj_ReportableSegmentMember_019e89b0-3646-7f7c-a450-2c72b75947b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3646-7bc5-9b6c-b34c32357f80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019e89b0-3646-7bc5-9b6c-b34c32357f80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e89b0-3646-7fbe-85fe-53f2b2d4c450" 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_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_019e89b0-3646-7fbe-85fe-53f2b2d4c450" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_019e89b0-3646-7d0f-ad42-0d888d147b96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_019e89b0-3646-7d0f-ad42-0d888d147b96" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e89b0-3646-7197-a341-ba4ec40db48f" 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_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019e89b0-3646-7197-a341-ba4ec40db48f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3646-76ea-87be-88166d6a671c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets_019e89b0-3646-76ea-87be-88166d6a671c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_rlj_OtherMiscellaneousNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e89b0-3646-7d7f-83b4-34082da7b04a" xlink:href="rlj-20260630.xsd#rlj_OtherMiscellaneousNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_rlj_OtherMiscellaneousNonoperatingIncomeExpense_019e89b0-3646-7d7f-83b4-34082da7b04a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3646-758c-9006-4f43d3c4a06c" 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_019e89b0-3646-7d45-a349-e36061728853" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019e89b0-3646-758c-9006-4f43d3c4a06c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
