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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019eef96-b82d-7d0e-b972-1d32d2119900,g:8c94f180-33f4-4fe6-a865-8aeb3fed1eea-->
<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://dswinc.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019eef96-b987-7dbb-86fb-3f9002a73b33" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitiesTable_019eef96-b987-7dbb-86fb-3f9002a73b33" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90" 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_019eef96-b987-7dbb-86fb-3f9002a73b33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90_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_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7880-a55c-8a68487fdc56" 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_019eef96-b987-7a16-be49-1c37f6e4ee90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7880-a55c-8a68487fdc56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b987-7564-8b97-6397cbb86b18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7880-a55c-8a68487fdc56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b987-7564-8b97-6397cbb86b18" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b987-7b42-b849-4e530301a5eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7880-a55c-8a68487fdc56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b987-7b42-b849-4e530301a5eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_019eef96-b987-707c-9dfd-292863e6d13c" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_019eef96-b987-707c-9dfd-292863e6d13c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019eef96-b987-7385-91bc-66e68ca9e45e" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_019eef96-b987-7385-91bc-66e68ca9e45e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019eef96-b987-7e57-bc14-b860b8935e09" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_019eef96-b987-7e57-bc14-b860b8935e09" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019eef96-b987-79ca-a8f3-cf522021bec2" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_019eef96-b987-79ca-a8f3-cf522021bec2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019eef96-b987-7297-9d9f-792f956921b0" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_019eef96-b987-7297-9d9f-792f956921b0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019eef96-b987-7289-ab89-49766a298dd8" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_019eef96-b987-7289-ab89-49766a298dd8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019eef96-b987-718f-9159-af3a174c5427" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_019eef96-b987-718f-9159-af3a174c5427" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019eef96-b987-7535-aaba-1cd1281ff49f" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_019eef96-b987-7535-aaba-1cd1281ff49f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019eef96-b987-700c-90af-559d4a3c0c04" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_019eef96-b987-700c-90af-559d4a3c0c04" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019eef96-b987-7216-a29e-1a6e4b253149" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_019eef96-b987-7216-a29e-1a6e4b253149" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019eef96-b987-7b33-bcc1-af2eba6ac9b6" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_019eef96-b987-7b33-bcc1-af2eba6ac9b6" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019eef96-b987-7567-b146-b58c87fa2c22" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_019eef96-b987-7567-b146-b58c87fa2c22" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019eef96-b987-7e5c-9583-7a55ccc3107c" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_019eef96-b987-7e5c-9583-7a55ccc3107c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019eef96-b987-71ce-b493-fe4aeb2d33cf" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_019eef96-b987-71ce-b493-fe4aeb2d33cf" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019eef96-b987-746b-ad5b-d5c7aaff4907" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_019eef96-b987-746b-ad5b-d5c7aaff4907" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019eef96-b987-72f2-b1d3-01dded3cf02d" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_019eef96-b987-72f2-b1d3-01dded3cf02d" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019eef96-b987-7af0-901c-aa32ab493a85" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_019eef96-b987-7af0-901c-aa32ab493a85" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019eef96-b987-7be9-9e17-130a4483c4d9" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_019eef96-b987-7be9-9e17-130a4483c4d9" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019eef96-b987-7c42-8d26-404e5aa541fe" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_019eef96-b987-7c42-8d26-404e5aa541fe" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019eef96-b987-74a2-a323-5f00a9159f4f" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_019eef96-b987-74a2-a323-5f00a9159f4f" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019eef96-b987-7859-bc78-79d1f307cf8c" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_019eef96-b987-7859-bc78-79d1f307cf8c" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019eef96-b987-710c-aae3-6c5559b0c0a7" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_019eef96-b987-710c-aae3-6c5559b0c0a7" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019eef96-b987-7839-bff3-670271e4926d" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_019eef96-b987-7839-bff3-670271e4926d" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-73f2-a53e-3a70eb1777d0" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-73f2-a53e-3a70eb1777d0" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019eef96-b987-77a3-b374-393a59e3ac6b" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_019eef96-b987-77a3-b374-393a59e3ac6b" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019eef96-b987-7e42-9e73-ae9d28394246" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_019eef96-b987-7e42-9e73-ae9d28394246" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019eef96-b987-719f-9bb3-2415a51eeed0" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_019eef96-b987-719f-9bb3-2415a51eeed0" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019eef96-b987-7b6d-8eee-a956fb8f475a" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_019eef96-b987-7b6d-8eee-a956fb8f475a" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019eef96-b987-7f99-9c37-9c393b3c828e" 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_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b987-729c-854b-175799d077bd" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_019eef96-b987-7f99-9c37-9c393b3c828e" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" 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_019eef96-b987-78da-b64d-9a854374e931" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019eef96-b987-78da-b64d-9a854374e931" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312" 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_019eef96-b987-78da-b64d-9a854374e931" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312_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_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b987-78df-86c7-3d23fd3911b3" 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_019eef96-b987-7982-8cc9-ce097daf3312" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b987-78df-86c7-3d23fd3911b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_019eef96-b987-7d9a-a26d-12fd9d68e783" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b987-78df-86c7-3d23fd3911b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_019eef96-b987-7d9a-a26d-12fd9d68e783" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-b987-75fa-a808-eb9f730b6188" 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_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-b987-75fa-a808-eb9f730b6188" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-b987-7ea3-b0e4-62c99df94d84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-b987-7ea3-b0e4-62c99df94d84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-b987-7887-bc11-23ea685200a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-b987-7887-bc11-23ea685200a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019eef96-b987-7332-a5bf-18ff25bf2f51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019eef96-b987-7332-a5bf-18ff25bf2f51" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019eef96-b987-713d-a387-b94d86de818c" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019eef96-b987-713d-a387-b94d86de818c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019eef96-b987-762d-af2c-0fe68dfe0a7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019eef96-b987-762d-af2c-0fe68dfe0a7f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7809-86c9-b7d3c86fe8b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7809-86c9-b7d3c86fe8b8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019eef96-b987-71fb-99c5-60854844135e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019eef96-b987-71fb-99c5-60854844135e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019eef96-b987-79a2-991f-d593b0ebcb36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019eef96-b987-79a2-991f-d593b0ebcb36" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-7ab4-b0a6-8e58696b55c3" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-7ab4-b0a6-8e58696b55c3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019eef96-b987-79c5-9604-2bf55f8c9375" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019eef96-b987-79c5-9604-2bf55f8c9375" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNonoperatingActivity_019eef96-b987-71be-a71b-efddfbf5301c" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNonoperatingActivity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_dsw_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestmentsNonoperatingActivity_019eef96-b987-71be-a71b-efddfbf5301c" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019eef96-b987-7e50-a6e9-47a147c225c6" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019eef96-b987-7e50-a6e9-47a147c225c6" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-76e1-8834-c52527a70041" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-76e1-8834-c52527a70041" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7592-a140-ed9fd211101e" 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_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7592-a140-ed9fd211101e" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019eef96-b987-72c2-a1a3-e591d940e668" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019eef96-b987-72c2-a1a3-e591d940e668" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019eef96-b987-7275-98b1-f4a191f8cb72" 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_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019eef96-b987-72c2-a1a3-e591d940e668" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019eef96-b987-7275-98b1-f4a191f8cb72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019eef96-b987-7e2f-ba46-ae8142e817d1" 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_EarningsPerShareAbstract_019eef96-b987-72c2-a1a3-e591d940e668" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019eef96-b987-7e2f-ba46-ae8142e817d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019eef96-b987-7708-8d92-94f1f13f3777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7e0b-a110-f659d0c44f08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019eef96-b987-7708-8d92-94f1f13f3777" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019eef96-b987-7cb2-9334-e55041c53912" 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_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019eef96-b987-7708-8d92-94f1f13f3777" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_019eef96-b987-7cb2-9334-e55041c53912" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-7781-9c11-43501b50ed54" 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_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingAbstract_019eef96-b987-7708-8d92-94f1f13f3777" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-7781-9c11-43501b50ed54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019eef96-b987-7f6d-ae02-45b6d4838cca" 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_019eef96-b987-7082-b784-d948837511c9" 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_019eef96-b987-7f6d-ae02-45b6d4838cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019eef96-b987-7082-b784-d948837511c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2" 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_019eef96-b987-7082-b784-d948837511c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2_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_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7435-8a4b-3f466323c59d" 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_019eef96-b987-786d-97af-dfd8b757d3a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7435-8a4b-3f466323c59d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b987-776c-9094-ff9f22c05b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7435-8a4b-3f466323c59d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b987-776c-9094-ff9f22c05b19" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b987-75c2-9af9-a8756997a880" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b987-7435-8a4b-3f466323c59d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b987-75c2-9af9-a8756997a880" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862" 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_019eef96-b987-7082-b784-d948837511c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862_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_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" 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_019eef96-b987-748d-bd63-28a4a5eda862" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019eef96-b987-7aad-98fb-36d485c524fd" 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_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019eef96-b987-7aad-98fb-36d485c524fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019eef96-b987-7ab7-8a7b-4c3921d988bb" 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_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019eef96-b987-7ab7-8a7b-4c3921d988bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019eef96-b987-7ce0-b15b-c496df8fb2ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_019eef96-b987-7ce0-b15b-c496df8fb2ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019eef96-b987-7cf4-bd78-6e969b862821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019eef96-b987-7cf4-bd78-6e969b862821" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019eef96-b987-7584-ad4a-171b7f39d334" 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_019eef96-b987-7f3e-8830-f577a4a2b4ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019eef96-b987-7584-ad4a-171b7f39d334" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" 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_019eef96-b987-7f6d-ae02-45b6d4838cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-7437-aa95-6167583b90ad" 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_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-7437-aa95-6167583b90ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019eef96-b987-777c-9c92-1993bf769391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019eef96-b987-777c-9c92-1993bf769391" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-73a4-ab4f-0770f77318d8" 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_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-73a4-ab4f-0770f77318d8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7d75-8053-e45fdfc79a3b" 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_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-b987-7d75-8053-e45fdfc79a3b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_019eef96-b987-73af-8513-867b99ab2a71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_019eef96-b987-73af-8513-867b99ab2a71" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_019eef96-b987-7cfa-ab8e-7be7fd9f0d83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_019eef96-b987-7cfa-ab8e-7be7fd9f0d83" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_019eef96-b987-7b73-befd-28b1ae3c7470" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Dividends"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Dividends_019eef96-b987-7b73-befd-28b1ae3c7470" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019eef96-b987-7845-b898-312c2733e1dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_019eef96-b987-7845-b898-312c2733e1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_01a0352b-9f66-7bf6-8c4b-40e63da4fd4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019eef96-b987-7ee2-bf1b-9c378c21c941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_01a0352b-9f66-7bf6-8c4b-40e63da4fd4c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b987-74dc-ba98-f92bc5d45e09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019eef96-b987-754e-bfc4-fdff0763e019" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-b987-7934-8c20-5ba65482c3c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/RevenueDisaggregationofNetSalesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#RevenueDisaggregationofNetSalesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/RevenueDisaggregationofNetSalesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019eef96-b988-745d-93df-2f3596e7f85b" 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_019eef96-b988-7dab-99df-a3fe04e21810" 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_019eef96-b988-745d-93df-2f3596e7f85b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019eef96-b988-7dab-99df-a3fe04e21810" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019eef96-b988-7dab-99df-a3fe04e21810" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba_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_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7e02-9994-90b07d82d972" 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_019eef96-b988-7805-b868-bcdb764db2ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7e02-9994-90b07d82d972" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RetailSegmentMember_019eef96-b988-7e05-ba29-2a2578837d6a" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7e02-9994-90b07d82d972" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RetailSegmentMember_019eef96-b988-7e05-ba29-2a2578837d6a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_BrandPortfolioMember_019eef96-b988-7d21-91ea-1f05de410619" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_BrandPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-b988-7e02-9994-90b07d82d972" xlink:to="loc_dsw_BrandPortfolioMember_019eef96-b988-7d21-91ea-1f05de410619" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555" 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_019eef96-b988-7dab-99df-a3fe04e21810" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555_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_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" 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_019eef96-b988-7560-9f11-21d14d9cb555" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_WomensMember_019eef96-b988-7d5a-8683-fb90b7c1e917" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_WomensMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_WomensMember_019eef96-b988-7d5a-8683-fb90b7c1e917" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_MensMember_019eef96-b988-71f5-afb6-55eb668bce9e" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_MensMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_MensMember_019eef96-b988-71f5-afb6-55eb668bce9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_KidsMember_019eef96-b988-7d33-a0bd-b8359dd8fb1c" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_KidsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_KidsMember_019eef96-b988-7d33-a0bd-b8359dd8fb1c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_AthleticFootwearMember_019eef96-b988-7673-a140-3a52ca1e4443" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_AthleticFootwearMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_AthleticFootwearMember_019eef96-b988-7673-a140-3a52ca1e4443" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_AccessoriesAndOtherMember_019eef96-b988-7d74-b0df-7223b5929860" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_AccessoriesAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_AccessoriesAndOtherMember_019eef96-b988-7d74-b0df-7223b5929860" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_WholesaleMember_019eef96-b988-7182-9edc-3e3e1fdb3a0c" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_WholesaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_WholesaleMember_019eef96-b988-7182-9edc-3e3e1fdb3a0c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DirecttoConsumerMember_019eef96-b988-7c5b-8f1d-2b655d7eb461" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DirecttoConsumerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DirecttoConsumerMember_019eef96-b988-7c5b-8f1d-2b655d7eb461" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_CommissionIncomeOtherMember_01a03536-2c8e-7b25-9917-0a3eeacc926f" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_CommissionIncomeOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_CommissionIncomeOtherMember_01a03536-2c8e-7b25-9917-0a3eeacc926f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_019eef96-b988-7869-be43-a49c2eafb178" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_019eef96-b988-739d-bca9-61f4535b238f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_019eef96-b988-7869-be43-a49c2eafb178" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019eef96-b988-7dab-99df-a3fe04e21810" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-718b-a8ed-8f2cc483cd0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-b988-70ce-b970-a44f2c7cf39f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-718b-a8ed-8f2cc483cd0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019eef96-b988-77d7-a11b-a11cc8856730" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-718b-a8ed-8f2cc483cd0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019eef96-b988-77d7-a11b-a11cc8856730" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019eef96-b988-7d54-8bd3-7e478d28e497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-b988-718b-a8ed-8f2cc483cd0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019eef96-b988-7d54-8bd3-7e478d28e497" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-b988-7d6c-b824-cd611247e77f" 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_019eef96-b988-745d-93df-2f3596e7f85b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-b988-7d6c-b824-cd611247e77f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/RevenueDeferredRevenueLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#RevenueDeferredRevenueLiabilitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/RevenueDeferredRevenueLiabilitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLineItems_019eef96-b988-739c-b559-0f9a822ab074" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerTable_019eef96-b988-7f26-89cb-671765847daa" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLineItems_019eef96-b988-739c-b559-0f9a822ab074" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerTable_019eef96-b988-7f26-89cb-671765847daa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedAxis_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerTable_019eef96-b988-7f26-89cb-671765847daa" xlink:to="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedAxis_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d_default" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedAxis_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7403-ab12-5f03e100c02a" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedAxis_019eef96-b988-7e7c-a4fb-be3bfe5f126d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7403-ab12-5f03e100c02a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedMember_019eef96-b988-70d8-9460-804ca91c6128" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7403-ab12-5f03e100c02a" xlink:to="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedMember_019eef96-b988-70d8-9460-804ca91c6128" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_GiftCardsIssuedMember_019eef96-b988-7e2a-a94c-e6cb38446df5" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_GiftCardsIssuedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_GiftCardsRedeemedDomain_019eef96-b988-7403-ab12-5f03e100c02a" xlink:to="loc_dsw_GiftCardsIssuedMember_019eef96-b988-7e2a-a94c-e6cb38446df5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityAxis_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerTable_019eef96-b988-7f26-89cb-671765847daa" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityAxis_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966_default" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityAxis_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-71f0-8ded-95c6b4c985f1" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityAxis_019eef96-b988-774e-8e47-0a6656c4e966" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-71f0-8ded-95c6b4c985f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_CertificatesRedeemedMember_019eef96-b988-716d-bf43-29f681105b8e" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_CertificatesRedeemedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-71f0-8ded-95c6b4c985f1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_CertificatesRedeemedMember_019eef96-b988-716d-bf43-29f681105b8e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PointsIssuedMember_019eef96-b988-7389-a07e-b9727cf9aaf7" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PointsIssuedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LoyaltyLiabilityDomain_019eef96-b988-71f0-8ded-95c6b4c985f1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PointsIssuedMember_019eef96-b988-7389-a07e-b9727cf9aaf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_019eef96-b988-790b-a6c5-8c24689c0995" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLineItems_019eef96-b988-739c-b559-0f9a822ab074" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_019eef96-b988-790b-a6c5-8c24689c0995" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardsandMerchandiseCreditsCurrent_019eef96-b988-7a99-8c53-9b878fc36acc" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardsandMerchandiseCreditsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_019eef96-b988-790b-a6c5-8c24689c0995" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardsandMerchandiseCreditsCurrent_019eef96-b988-7a99-8c53-9b878fc36acc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_019eef96-b988-710f-ad43-a19f20b6a0eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_019eef96-b988-790b-a6c5-8c24689c0995" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_019eef96-b988-710f-ad43-a19f20b6a0eb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardsandMerchandiseCreditsCurrent_019eef96-b988-7cc0-81a7-61ab4e396b41" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityGiftCardsandMerchandiseCreditsCurrent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityLoyaltyProgramsDeferredRevenueCurrent_019eef96-b988-79d5-9495-0fb1d89f10ca" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityLoyaltyProgramsDeferredRevenueCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_019eef96-b988-790b-a6c5-8c24689c0995" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityLoyaltyProgramsDeferredRevenueCurrent_019eef96-b988-79d5-9495-0fb1d89f10ca" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_019eef96-b988-78b5-8253-dc68bf75728e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityLoyaltyProgramsDeferredRevenueCurrent_019eef96-b988-7b4b-8f66-8da4c57e89a7" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityLoyaltyProgramsDeferredRevenueCurrent"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45" 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_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45_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_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019eef96-b988-733f-809b-df05d8a3d0ce" 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_019eef96-b988-78b6-98f6-cfca0e6d8d45" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019eef96-b988-733f-809b-df05d8a3d0ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DesignerBrandsInc.Member_019eef96-b988-7771-92c1-dcae558ee3be" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DesignerBrandsInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_019eef96-b988-733f-809b-df05d8a3d0ce" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DesignerBrandsInc.Member_019eef96-b988-7771-92c1-dcae558ee3be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b_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_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7625-9f5b-e9fc79a52a4f" 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_019eef96-b988-7504-b487-8039a6264c9b" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7625-9f5b-e9fc79a52a4f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ABGCamutoLLCMember_019eef96-b988-73c7-a0bd-b15cb3d8844b" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ABGCamutoLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7625-9f5b-e9fc79a52a4f" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ABGCamutoLLCMember_019eef96-b988-73c7-a0bd-b15cb3d8844b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019eef96-b988-7b06-a5d0-fccb4f61fc5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_019eef96-b988-748a-bcf4-e41655593228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019eef96-b988-7b06-a5d0-fccb4f61fc5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_019eef96-b988-7aa1-82c1-167aa09f54a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_019eef96-b988-7b06-a5d0-fccb4f61fc5c" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_019eef96-b988-7aa1-82c1-167aa09f54a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c" 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_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c_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_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7650-9011-e4a29c63469d" 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_019eef96-b988-7930-9684-f76673953e8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7650-9011-e4a29c63469d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b988-7f40-a768-ba958a02b314" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7650-9011-e4a29c63469d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b988-7f40-a768-ba958a02b314" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b988-7a4e-a34f-82efea536fb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7650-9011-e4a29c63469d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b988-7a4e-a34f-82efea536fb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7ccc-a8bd-4eb17748dc77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b5b-b943-ee8ecc79c018" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7ccc-a8bd-4eb17748dc77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019eef96-b988-743e-ae38-b9df0d1ae015" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7ccc-a8bd-4eb17748dc77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019eef96-b988-743e-ae38-b9df0d1ae015" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_019eef96-b988-7e69-bce7-7591cf2cde7e" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1_default" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7d14-963b-26166c8725c7" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7a10-8500-1facf3607fa1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7d14-963b-26166c8725c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019eef96-b988-73a4-b346-14f39442360d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_LesseeLeaseArrangementTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7d14-963b-26166c8725c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_019eef96-b988-73a4-b346-14f39442360d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionOutstandingCommonSharesOwned_019eef96-b988-771c-94ff-2bec031da299" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionOutstandingCommonSharesOwned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionOutstandingCommonSharesOwned_019eef96-b988-771c-94ff-2bec031da299" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionCombinedVotingPowerOfOutstandingCommonShares_019eef96-b988-77d2-9d39-b7a3759221ad" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionCombinedVotingPowerOfOutstandingCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionCombinedVotingPowerOfOutstandingCommonShares_019eef96-b988-77d2-9d39-b7a3759221ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionNumberOfSharesOwnedByRelatedParty_019eef96-b988-7402-bba0-016a4f7f85a6" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionNumberOfSharesOwnedByRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RelatedPartyTransactionNumberOfSharesOwnedByRelatedParty_019eef96-b988-7402-bba0-016a4f7f85a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_019eef96-b988-72f8-8bde-1198da24711d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_019eef96-b988-72f8-8bde-1198da24711d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_019eef96-b988-7a9e-bc37-113f57cfc91e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_019eef96-b988-7a9e-bc37-113f57cfc91e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_019eef96-b988-71e8-b8ce-a0a5245b8eae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent_019eef96-b988-71e8-b8ce-a0a5245b8eae" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019eef96-b988-7726-9ba1-12bcbbc5d7fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_019eef96-b988-7726-9ba1-12bcbbc5d7fa" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyExpense_019eef96-b988-791e-b4d3-2a4b5ea4d8da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RoyaltyExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_019eef96-b988-70e5-b627-2ab68850b17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RoyaltyExpense_019eef96-b988-791e-b4d3-2a4b5ea4d8da" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#StockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/StockbasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019eef96-b988-771b-85b5-f4b5ec126cf7" 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_019eef96-b988-7776-8cba-dc986ffab1f2" 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_019eef96-b988-771b-85b5-f4b5ec126cf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019eef96-b988-7776-8cba-dc986ffab1f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482" 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_019eef96-b988-7776-8cba-dc986ffab1f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482_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_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-749d-a1cd-2a4e2e8dc388" 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_019eef96-b988-7b26-a82f-50bc9d6c5482" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-749d-a1cd-2a4e2e8dc388" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019eef96-b988-77fa-acbe-0cdc8fe9f339" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-749d-a1cd-2a4e2e8dc388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_019eef96-b988-77fa-acbe-0cdc8fe9f339" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019eef96-b988-74c6-a922-8728cdd903a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019eef96-b988-771b-85b5-f4b5ec126cf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_019eef96-b988-74c6-a922-8728cdd903a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/StockbasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#StockbasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/StockbasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_019eef96-b988-70d8-9960-f76cc2089f30" 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_019eef96-b988-7204-910b-98feed3edf48" 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_019eef96-b988-70d8-9960-f76cc2089f30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_019eef96-b988-7204-910b-98feed3edf48" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e" 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_019eef96-b988-7204-910b-98feed3edf48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e_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_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7a56-8018-6cc740388084" 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_019eef96-b988-7fca-830a-9277ecc44f6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7a56-8018-6cc740388084" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_019eef96-b988-7a6a-8357-75f9ce936b41" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7a56-8018-6cc740388084" xlink:to="loc_dsw_TimeBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_019eef96-b988-7a6a-8357-75f9ce936b41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019eef96-b988-7f6f-bb04-9a4fb96ca3ac" 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_019eef96-b988-7a56-8018-6cc740388084" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_019eef96-b988-7f6f-bb04-9a4fb96ca3ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" 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_019eef96-b988-70d8-9960-f76cc2089f30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019eef96-b988-76fa-a935-2a77acbf5606" 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_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019eef96-b988-76fa-a935-2a77acbf5606" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7709-841e-6202fe71207b" 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_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7709-841e-6202fe71207b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7f20-b64e-21374332c826" 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_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7f20-b64e-21374332c826" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7e06-8657-a6a71eebe432" 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_019eef96-b988-7431-982c-c4089d0b2ce7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_019eef96-b988-7e06-8657-a6a71eebe432" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_019eef96-b988-7d52-92aa-c9a77d785d4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#ShareholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019eef96-b988-737d-85f2-a880b7e3cd6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019eef96-b988-737d-85f2-a880b7e3cd6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019eef96-b988-737d-85f2-a880b7e3cd6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65_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_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7ee8-bc49-0e7cb0a517c4" 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_019eef96-b988-7135-84fc-22477776ba65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7ee8-bc49-0e7cb0a517c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b988-7b27-ab05-181c6b6495d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7ee8-bc49-0e7cb0a517c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassAMember_019eef96-b988-7b27-ab05-181c6b6495d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b988-7de0-bb57-c18651b2c8b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonClassBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_019eef96-b988-7ee8-bc49-0e7cb0a517c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonClassBMember_019eef96-b988-7de0-bb57-c18651b2c8b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_019eef96-b988-737d-85f2-a880b7e3cd6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4_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_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a03574-d722-7a22-89ac-57e2c84356a3" 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_01a03574-d722-7d3d-989b-8cb237eb32a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a03574-d722-7a22-89ac-57e2c84356a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a03574-d722-7d4a-8e78-daa3279d0c36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a03574-d722-7a22-89ac-57e2c84356a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a03574-d722-7d4a-8e78-daa3279d0c36" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_CommonStockVotingRightsNumberOfVotes_019eef96-b988-7dca-95e9-e2613eb8a09b" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_CommonStockVotingRightsNumberOfVotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_dsw_CommonStockVotingRightsNumberOfVotes_019eef96-b988-7dca-95e9-e2613eb8a09b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019eef96-b988-7186-86f5-8137ec17a345" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_019eef96-b988-7186-86f5-8137ec17a345" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019eef96-b988-7ff6-9f0c-bdbecea36cbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_019eef96-b988-7ff6-9f0c-bdbecea36cbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b988-7ab2-b68c-3e630b9d903c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019eef96-b988-7ab2-b68c-3e630b9d903c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019eef96-b988-7899-bf07-27fd756f21e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_019eef96-b988-7899-bf07-27fd756f21e1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019eef96-b988-70b5-9b6d-dcb1b2cebfa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_019eef96-b988-70b5-9b6d-dcb1b2cebfa9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019eef96-b988-7e98-bebf-6bd66e85c71d" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_019eef96-b988-7e98-bebf-6bd66e85c71d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019eef96-b988-75b3-87ef-b52985a0e076" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_019eef96-b988-75b3-87ef-b52985a0e076" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a03574-d722-75ef-90ca-e1aaf9555631" 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_ClassOfStockLineItems_019eef96-b988-7f3b-a039-60f8cb0e183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a03574-d722-75ef-90ca-e1aaf9555631" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#DebtScheduleofDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/DebtScheduleofDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" 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_019eef96-b988-721a-85f5-a33f86cb1aa0" 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_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-721a-85f5-a33f86cb1aa0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd" 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_019eef96-b988-721a-85f5-a33f86cb1aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd_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_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-779e-a778-a912de7e7e8c" 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_019eef96-b988-7b41-b6a3-4d94a403b6bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-779e-a778-a912de7e7e8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-77bf-ad0f-24a5eb219c91" 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_019eef96-b988-779e-a778-a912de7e7e8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-77bf-ad0f-24a5eb219c91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-729f-ac2c-527171356038" 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_019eef96-b988-779e-a778-a912de7e7e8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-729f-ac2c-527171356038" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-721a-85f5-a33f86cb1aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7fd7-9928-4eeca67faa07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-7cd7-b380-8fff52d07b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7fd7-9928-4eeca67faa07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RevolvingCreditFacilityAndSwingLoanMember_019eef96-b988-7380-91d3-9cb439a493aa" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RevolvingCreditFacilityAndSwingLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7fd7-9928-4eeca67faa07" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RevolvingCreditFacilityAndSwingLoanMember_019eef96-b988-7380-91d3-9cb439a493aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd" 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_019eef96-b988-721a-85f5-a33f86cb1aa0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd_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_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7ddd-b942-3099e2f8e843" 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_019eef96-b988-7c01-9318-afb460fbd3dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7ddd-b942-3099e2f8e843" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ABLRevolverMember_019eef96-b988-799d-b356-b3f31d7927cc" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ABLRevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7ddd-b942-3099e2f8e843" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ABLRevolverMember_019eef96-b988-799d-b356-b3f31d7927cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_TermLoanMember_019eef96-b988-74ee-83f5-f6ba53e6e3b2" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7ddd-b942-3099e2f8e843" xlink:to="loc_dsw_TermLoanMember_019eef96-b988-74ee-83f5-f6ba53e6e3b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019eef96-b988-7a61-9e93-709747beb870" 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_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019eef96-b988-7a61-9e93-709747beb870" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_019eef96-b988-72b1-9137-2b04956a3a08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense_019eef96-b988-72b1-9137-2b04956a3a08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019eef96-b988-775e-bc52-08418712ede9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019eef96-b988-775e-bc52-08418712ede9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019eef96-b988-7c8b-a4e9-d5caf1349d17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-7ce3-acde-388c346a7df9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_019eef96-b988-7c8b-a4e9-d5caf1349d17" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#DebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" 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_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019eef96-b988-70d0-9685-a74cf6ed5eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019eef96-b988-74c0-b665-a0845604eb7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019eef96-b988-74c0-b665-a0845604eb7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-76be-b749-9ed4a3a6a974" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-76be-b749-9ed4a3a6a974" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticLineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7e22-9296-698566372867" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticLineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticLineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7e22-9296-698566372867" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7ce8-b633-a386da85d9f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7ce8-b633-a386da85d9f6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-76fe-a366-6981834575ac" 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_CreditFacilityDomain_019eef96-b988-7c81-adee-59935dc680b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-76fe-a366-6981834575ac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-79b3-977d-de5fe1619f90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionAxis_019eef96-b988-7df7-9419-0c2ffc403041" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-79b3-977d-de5fe1619f90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember_019eef96-b988-7d08-a7a1-012b58d3a761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-79b3-977d-de5fe1619f90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionForeignMember_019eef96-b988-7d08-a7a1-012b58d3a761" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019eef96-b988-7082-b75e-4f55009cf3f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-79b3-977d-de5fe1619f90" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019eef96-b988-7082-b75e-4f55009cf3f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019eef96-b988-7d33-8256-7eb64d86559f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GeographicDistributionDomain_019eef96-b988-79b3-977d-de5fe1619f90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019eef96-b988-7d33-8256-7eb64d86559f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_019eef96-b988-77aa-8f3b-dbc9c0ff29c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_FederalFundsRateMember_019eef96-b988-760c-9dd6-de9fb0129d6e" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_FederalFundsRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:to="loc_dsw_FederalFundsRateMember_019eef96-b988-760c-9dd6-de9fb0129d6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019eef96-b988-78e4-805c-5f23e935d292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_019eef96-b988-78e4-805c-5f23e935d292" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_019eef96-b988-7cf2-8250-52e01529ff01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_019eef96-b988-7cf2-8250-52e01529ff01" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_OvernightBankFundingRateMember_019eef96-b988-71c6-8385-7117924404e9" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_OvernightBankFundingRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_019eef96-b988-76f6-839c-aa1e84db5516" xlink:to="loc_dsw_OvernightBankFundingRateMember_019eef96-b988-71c6-8385-7117924404e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e_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_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7698-bddd-aff6784cd68f" 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_019eef96-b988-763b-ba17-1fb0f9e4954e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7698-bddd-aff6784cd68f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember_019eef96-b988-7e8b-a3cb-e67309594b5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7698-bddd-aff6784cd68f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateFloorMember_019eef96-b988-7e8b-a3cb-e67309594b5c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioAxis_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_InterestRateScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioAxis_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc_default" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioAxis_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc" xlink:to="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7e9d-b543-1dadc99f05c7" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioAxis_019eef96-b988-7aec-b1a5-60387f9a52dc" xlink:to="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7e9d-b543-1dadc99f05c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioOneMember_019eef96-b988-7e5e-add8-2bbe2ba3d4d7" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_InterestRateScenarioOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7e9d-b543-1dadc99f05c7" xlink:to="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioOneMember_019eef96-b988-7e5e-add8-2bbe2ba3d4d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioTwoMember_019eef96-b988-723b-949f-e5485755b2db" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_InterestRateScenarioTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioDomain_019eef96-b988-7e9d-b543-1dadc99f05c7" xlink:to="loc_dsw_InterestRateScenarioTwoMember_019eef96-b988-723b-949f-e5485755b2db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac" 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_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac_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_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-75f0-ba28-066252c2234e" 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_019eef96-b988-7f31-ab74-5e7b9bee4dac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-75f0-ba28-066252c2234e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_ABLRevolverMember_019eef96-b988-7b38-8929-0634f268614d" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_ABLRevolverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-75f0-ba28-066252c2234e" xlink:to="loc_dsw_ABLRevolverMember_019eef96-b988-7b38-8929-0634f268614d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_TermLoanMember_019eef96-b988-7010-be8a-dac3b7ef9842" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019eef96-b988-75f0-ba28-066252c2234e" xlink:to="loc_dsw_TermLoanMember_019eef96-b988-7010-be8a-dac3b7ef9842" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27" 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_019eef96-b988-7c3a-8edc-53ea475f9b3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27_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_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-746f-84e9-f56b9d797494" 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_019eef96-b988-7f41-94ae-9e82ca2a1d27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019eef96-b988-746f-84e9-f56b9d797494" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7485-93b6-261b1e621f66" 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_019eef96-b988-746f-84e9-f56b9d797494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019eef96-b988-7485-93b6-261b1e621f66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-75d2-806f-39045f25b660" 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_019eef96-b988-746f-84e9-f56b9d797494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019eef96-b988-75d2-806f-39045f25b660" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-76a4-bd63-00418959d32c" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-76a4-bd63-00418959d32c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019eef96-b988-7b54-9ada-b57c81b43956" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019eef96-b988-7b54-9ada-b57c81b43956" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-7467-994f-fef82b3461ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-7467-994f-fef82b3461ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019eef96-b988-7ef3-b777-b2505403c0fd" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019eef96-b988-7ef3-b777-b2505403c0fd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_019eef96-b988-773b-9b15-2f6931fe7a75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_019eef96-b988-773b-9b15-2f6931fe7a75" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-74d9-a15e-bf67a481642c" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019eef96-b988-74d9-a15e-bf67a481642c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019eef96-b988-7c51-b97f-daef0edee950" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_019eef96-b988-7c51-b97f-daef0edee950" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentAdditionalBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_019eef96-b988-7a7e-8ad9-6f197092858c" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentAdditionalBasisSpreadOnVariableRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentAdditionalBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_019eef96-b988-7a7e-8ad9-6f197092858c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor_019eef96-b988-745b-98af-70f96e511fab" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor_019eef96-b988-745b-98af-70f96e511fab" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateBasis_019eef96-b988-74a4-a0f8-a10657438685" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentInterestRateBasis_019eef96-b988-74a4-a0f8-a10657438685" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019eef96-b988-7ead-9933-e778959a242e" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019eef96-b988-7ead-9933-e778959a242e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019eef96-b988-79e1-aef8-e2ea32b259cb" 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_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019eef96-b988-79e1-aef8-e2ea32b259cb" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantFixedChargeCoverageRatio_019eef96-b988-7f81-b882-993efd19017c" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantFixedChargeCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantFixedChargeCoverageRatio_019eef96-b988-7f81-b882-993efd19017c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumAmount_019eef96-b988-7d10-b122-79fa9e429e63" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumAmount_019eef96-b988-7d10-b122-79fa9e429e63" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumPercent_019eef96-b988-77d6-9f29-0eccd5bc848b" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantAvailabilityCovenantMinimumPercent_019eef96-b988-77d6-9f29-0eccd5bc848b" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidity_019eef96-b988-7684-89ae-aabb75fb7447" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidity_019eef96-b988-7684-89ae-aabb75fb7447" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedNetLeverageRatio_019eef96-b988-7679-9a72-e436fe57aaf5" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedNetLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019eef96-b988-717a-aa61-fca888b04a72" xlink:to="loc_dsw_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedNetLeverageRatio_019eef96-b988-7679-9a72-e436fe57aaf5" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember_01a03555-cb08-7c5f-b01a-6a30f46f7217" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:to="loc_dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember_01a03555-cb08-7c5f-b01a-6a30f46f7217" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_01a03558-4fc7-7760-a0de-caf1ce950db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_01a03558-4fc7-7760-a0de-caf1ce950db3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_01a0354f-1622-7472-8220-86b15a578070" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_01a0354f-1622-7472-8220-86b15a578070" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor_01a03566-5ebf-74a4-b6ad-06317249ac93" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor_01a03566-5ebf-74a4-b6ad-06317249ac93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables_01a0355d-e40b-7b2b-a20e-30792e5eb178" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables_01a0355d-e40b-7b2b-a20e-30792e5eb178" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a03554-bf50-7a6a-9649-e7e8b912853a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a03554-bf50-7a6a-9649-e7e8b912853a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor_01a03569-4b34-792e-9c4a-16bc8e0522cf" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor_01a03569-4b34-792e-9c4a-16bc8e0522cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal_01a0356a-dfeb-7cf6-b2d2-6956f3e2988e" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal_01a0356a-dfeb-7cf6-b2d2-6956f3e2988e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest_01a0356b-313b-7b5a-93fd-3d4824501004" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest_01a0356b-313b-7b5a-93fd-3d4824501004" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesTable_019eef96-b988-77d4-a215-5e5419be4c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_01a03555-762b-7683-994d-c9f602fc4b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember_01a03555-cb08-7c5f-b01a-6a30f46f7217" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_01a03555-762b-71be-b836-d0a9e592ab96" xlink:to="loc_dsw_IEEPATariffRefundMember_01a03555-cb08-7c5f-b01a-6a30f46f7217" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_01a0354f-1622-7472-8220-86b15a578070" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_01a0354f-1622-7472-8220-86b15a578070" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor_01a03566-5ebf-74a4-b6ad-06317249ac93" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_TariffRecoveryReceivableSoldToInvestor_01a03566-5ebf-74a4-b6ad-06317249ac93" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables_01a0355d-e40b-7b2b-a20e-30792e5eb178" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfOtherReceivables_01a0355d-e40b-7b2b-a20e-30792e5eb178" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a03554-bf50-7a6a-9649-e7e8b912853a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a03554-bf50-7a6a-9649-e7e8b912853a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor_01a03569-4b34-792e-9c4a-16bc8e0522cf" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestor_01a03569-4b34-792e-9c4a-16bc8e0522cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal_01a0356a-dfeb-7cf6-b2d2-6956f3e2988e" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorPrincipal_01a0356a-dfeb-7cf6-b2d2-6956f3e2988e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest_01a0356b-313b-7b5a-93fd-3d4824501004" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesLineItems_019eef96-b988-71a5-866c-f8dd1747393d" xlink:to="loc_dsw_PaymentOfCollectedReceivablesPreviouslySoldToAnInvestorInterest_01a0356b-313b-7b5a-93fd-3d4824501004" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019eef96-ba32-799e-9508-f2f256ba52af" 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_019eef96-ba32-763d-8dfd-29fce9bcaed4" 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_019eef96-ba32-799e-9508-f2f256ba52af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019eef96-ba32-763d-8dfd-29fce9bcaed4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019eef96-ba32-763d-8dfd-29fce9bcaed4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019eef96-ba32-76a2-8035-0b3c51c0e0bb" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019eef96-ba32-7e6b-9bb9-8c4bcbde548a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019eef96-ba32-7e6b-9bb9-8c4bcbde548a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_019eef96-ba32-7420-ba7c-fe078cf2bb9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_019eef96-ba32-7420-ba7c-fe078cf2bb9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019eef96-ba32-7f05-8120-0f59663db852" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_019eef96-ba32-7f05-8120-0f59663db852" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7460-978c-2047b5d7e297" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019eef96-ba32-7b99-9953-f271fc7264e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7460-978c-2047b5d7e297" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0" 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_019eef96-ba32-763d-8dfd-29fce9bcaed4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0_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_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7525-85e1-289b6ebab5e1" 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_019eef96-ba32-7bf8-843b-7e5054eb1be0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7525-85e1-289b6ebab5e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_RetailSegmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7a55-a9f7-aa4b698ab2c5" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_RetailSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7525-85e1-289b6ebab5e1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_RetailSegmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7a55-a9f7-aa4b698ab2c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dsw_BrandPortfolioMember_019eef96-ba32-7d01-a153-17b8b87a9c5b" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#dsw_BrandPortfolioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019eef96-ba32-7525-85e1-289b6ebab5e1" xlink:to="loc_dsw_BrandPortfolioMember_019eef96-ba32-7d01-a153-17b8b87a9c5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019eef96-ba32-799e-9508-f2f256ba52af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-ba32-7147-bb75-7ccb019ae069" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_019eef96-ba32-7147-bb75-7ccb019ae069" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-ba32-787b-a4bb-c57bde4273c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-ba32-787b-a4bb-c57bde4273c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingExpense_019eef96-ba32-7cb5-9fca-c9c01ad66872" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SellingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingExpense_019eef96-ba32-7cb5-9fca-c9c01ad66872" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyNet_019eef96-ba32-7041-8d54-4c8f6f99af71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyNet_019eef96-ba32-7041-8d54-4c8f6f99af71" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingExpense_019eef96-ba32-7141-8eaa-5fdaca4318c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingExpense_019eef96-ba32-7141-8eaa-5fdaca4318c8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductionAndDistributionCosts_019eef96-ba32-7691-99ff-396bc6138985" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductionAndDistributionCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductionAndDistributionCosts_019eef96-ba32-7691-99ff-396bc6138985" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLaborRelatedExpenses_019eef96-ba32-76a6-86c4-ee3760457391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLaborRelatedExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLaborRelatedExpenses_019eef96-ba32-76a6-86c4-ee3760457391" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_019eef96-ba32-77a8-961d-85534adf68c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_019eef96-ba32-77a8-961d-85534adf68c6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherGeneralExpense_019eef96-ba32-70c3-89f6-60574d10699f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherGeneralExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherGeneralExpense_019eef96-ba32-70c3-89f6-60574d10699f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019eef96-ba32-7b99-b5e4-f7622f9560b4" 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_OperatingExpensesAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7d6b-936e-b0393a736cd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_019eef96-ba32-7b99-b5e4-f7622f9560b4" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-737e-81a1-56047a051233" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-737e-81a1-56047a051233" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-ba32-75d9-9d1c-9f0ee810bacd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-ba32-75d9-9d1c-9f0ee810bacd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a05891-59c9-7a7a-a063-d8e696a6a2c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RecoveryOfDirectCosts_01a05891-59c9-7a7a-a063-d8e696a6a2c0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019eef96-ba32-7944-b532-b70ff0a96244" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_019eef96-ba32-7944-b532-b70ff0a96244" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019eef96-ba32-731a-a86b-69368f3a8696" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_019eef96-ba32-731a-a86b-69368f3a8696" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_019eef96-ba32-7e1f-8b8d-2e0a81dc7bc9" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_019eef96-ba32-7e1f-8b8d-2e0a81dc7bc9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019eef96-ba32-7006-8154-6d8f1c857465" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_019eef96-ba32-7006-8154-6d8f1c857465" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-7b70-a421-b5cd63106928" 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_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-7b70-a421-b5cd63106928" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets_019eef96-ba32-7221-b485-ee9371dda77d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingDisclosureOfOtherInformationAboutEntitysReportableSegmentsAbstract_019eef96-ba32-79b7-a4f7-a7756646bc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentExpenditureAdditionToLongLivedAssets_019eef96-ba32-7221-b485-ee9371dda77d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://dswinc.com/role/ImmaterialRestatementsofPriorPeriodFinancialStatementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="dsw-20260801.xsd#ImmaterialRestatementsofPriorPeriodFinancialStatementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://dswinc.com/role/ImmaterialRestatementsofPriorPeriodFinancialStatementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_019eef96-ba32-79bf-8e73-8bf602de7f13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_019eef96-ba32-7c40-9bcb-dcf2c25bb6bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_019eef96-ba32-79bf-8e73-8bf602de7f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_019eef96-ba32-7c40-9bcb-dcf2c25bb6bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentRestatementTable_019eef96-ba32-7c40-9bcb-dcf2c25bb6bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7a49-8e1c-7b086135a49c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementAxis_019eef96-ba32-7160-938f-1b1ff3db391a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7a49-8e1c-7b086135a49c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_019eef96-ba32-745c-8691-92679eb2ddcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7a49-8e1c-7b086135a49c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember_019eef96-ba32-745c-8691-92679eb2ddcf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7e68-ab79-a5a5064c2dbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RestatementDomain_019eef96-ba32-7a49-8e1c-7b086135a49c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RestatementAdjustmentMember_019eef96-ba32-7e68-ab79-a5a5064c2dbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_019eef96-ba32-79bf-8e73-8bf602de7f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-ba32-7fd8-8caa-4a9d2f815224" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRevenue_019eef96-ba32-7fd8-8caa-4a9d2f815224" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-ba32-730c-90fb-05659678d3d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_019eef96-ba32-730c-90fb-05659678d3d3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-743b-88e2-39d8f3fab9ec" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-743b-88e2-39d8f3fab9ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019eef96-ba32-793d-a2b7-4803da20dbbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet_019eef96-ba32-793d-a2b7-4803da20dbbe" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-7f40-9ce6-a42519388646" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-7f40-9ce6-a42519388646" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019eef96-ba32-7108-8600-3761f39e6084" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019eef96-ba32-7108-8600-3761f39e6084" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019eef96-ba32-705c-8c0d-1888f3b4c0f4" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019eef96-ba32-705c-8c0d-1888f3b4c0f4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-76ac-99b6-415405dbb55d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba32-76ac-99b6-415405dbb55d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-75ab-9333-5481a227c227" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019eef96-ba32-75ab-9333-5481a227c227" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019eef96-ba32-71a8-a3d0-f08aa9a8c903" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_019eef96-ba32-71a8-a3d0-f08aa9a8c903" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019eef96-ba32-7fef-ab10-2ac72268fff3" 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_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_019eef96-ba32-7fef-ab10-2ac72268fff3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_019eef96-ba32-70cd-b435-453306659ca9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7563-a0dc-8831f8d29943" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_019eef96-ba32-70cd-b435-453306659ca9" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_019eef96-ba32-79bf-8e73-8bf602de7f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_019eef96-ba32-730e-b675-c7450821e98b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent_019eef96-ba32-730e-b675-c7450821e98b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_019eef96-ba32-756a-9142-f1585deaa127" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_019eef96-ba32-756a-9142-f1585deaa127" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019eef96-ba32-7162-b00d-8fc8ce964db4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_019eef96-ba32-7162-b00d-8fc8ce964db4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_019eef96-ba32-71da-a939-fcce79751e81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_019eef96-ba32-71da-a939-fcce79751e81" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_019eef96-ba32-7faa-be29-d8cd167f8f46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_019eef96-ba32-7faa-be29-d8cd167f8f46" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019eef96-ba32-73cc-bfea-1cffb67952f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_019eef96-ba32-73cc-bfea-1cffb67952f8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019eef96-ba32-7cdc-8b08-2b062a9e1cb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TemporaryEquityCarryingAmountAttributableToParent_019eef96-ba32-7cdc-8b08-2b062a9e1cb8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019eef96-ba33-748a-8c7b-e3ea30f52389" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_019eef96-ba33-748a-8c7b-e3ea30f52389" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba33-79d6-9069-c5c038f6f4c6" 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_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_019eef96-ba33-79d6-9069-c5c038f6f4c6" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019eef96-ba33-72e1-a874-f387519a05f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionAbstract_019eef96-ba32-7a7e-a267-de330ad6f27a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_019eef96-ba33-72e1-a874-f387519a05f4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7e2a-a05b-122d9b62eca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementLineItems_019eef96-ba32-79bf-8e73-8bf602de7f13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7e2a-a05b-122d9b62eca5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7ec2-a3e7-04a69d10b90e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7e2a-a05b-122d9b62eca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7ec2-a3e7-04a69d10b90e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_019eef96-ba33-7a03-b6cc-dada51a39854" 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_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019eef96-ba33-78ab-b6b1-ffbfd61d5b56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_019eef96-ba33-7e2a-a05b-122d9b62eca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019eef96-ba33-78ab-b6b1-ffbfd61d5b56" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndOtherReceivables_019eef96-ba33-7873-bfb8-43b91b4996c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndOtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019eef96-ba33-78ab-b6b1-ffbfd61d5b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndOtherReceivables_019eef96-ba33-7873-bfb8-43b91b4996c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities_019eef96-ba33-7ef1-9e5f-b3b87d5f4471" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019eef96-ba33-78ab-b6b1-ffbfd61d5b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedLiabilities_019eef96-ba33-7ef1-9e5f-b3b87d5f4471" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019eef96-ba33-76a3-8b83-451fbced724f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_019eef96-ba33-78ab-b6b1-ffbfd61d5b56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_019eef96-ba33-76a3-8b83-451fbced724f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
