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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:01a01fbb-b69b-7b27-a321-6eb46ce0d08f,g:c963b6af-7017-4e8d-9f98-20e88e41559d-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7400-a662-20caa8e0bd3d" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a01fbb-b7c6-7400-a662-20caa8e0bd3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a01fbb-b7c6-7400-a662-20caa8e0bd3d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-733a-b2e7-eb5bad6b0d5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e05-99eb-e43de9cbd5f9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-733a-b2e7-eb5bad6b0d5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-74f5-9b77-1a0f9c6aafc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-733a-b2e7-eb5bad6b0d5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-74f5-9b77-1a0f9c6aafc6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c49-bf11-3908d041b262" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c49-bf11-3908d041b262" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms_01a01fbb-b7c6-7ba0-beee-cb557f4bbc8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesLongTermContractsOrPrograms_01a01fbb-b7c6-7ba0-beee-cb557f4bbc8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostGross_01a01fbb-b7c6-7778-821a-c9f87a3b7f20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostGross_01a01fbb-b7c6-7778-821a-c9f87a3b7f20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c85-8afe-21e86a9534f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c85-8afe-21e86a9534f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7dcc-be06-9165aba5186d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7dcc-be06-9165aba5186d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bcf-9641-3875c7cfc819" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bcf-9641-3875c7cfc819" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-74ec-a7a8-a0cd4510e69f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c6-74ec-a7a8-a0cd4510e69f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_01a01fbb-b7c6-7021-adb8-6a78f8d4f3de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_01a01fbb-b7c6-7021-adb8-6a78f8d4f3de" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_01a01fbb-b7c6-7894-b9a3-90a8f139a732" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_01a01fbb-b7c6-7894-b9a3-90a8f139a732" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bed-8eca-f0aee301f1cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bed-8eca-f0aee301f1cf" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a01fbb-b7c6-758e-aa57-4dbb62408723" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a01fbb-b7c6-758e-aa57-4dbb62408723" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_01a01fbb-b7c6-7235-9f6d-392d8a50fb5a" 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_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-775c-92ac-c398ed69d3ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_01a01fbb-b7c6-7235-9f6d-392d8a50fb5a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c6-7fd9-af4b-0ed62dab9043" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-79ab-9cb9-6b130bd4fab5" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7fd9-af4b-0ed62dab9043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a01fbb-b7c6-79ab-9cb9-6b130bd4fab5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-79ab-9cb9-6b130bd4fab5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0_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_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e15-a940-757c71fba0e1" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-795e-a73f-95e718f47ce0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e15-a940-757c71fba0e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e15-a940-757c71fba0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7daf-9a61-44a3c41217a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7daf-9a61-44a3c41217a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b23-8110-3e5a344862a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b23-8110-3e5a344862a0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b96-b432-a0cc20717ae9" 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_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b96-b432-a0cc20717ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-78fb-9184-2afd87f1b194" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e3e-90be-df48ce104a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-78fb-9184-2afd87f1b194" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7a08-b7c2-a7472c0ea1af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e15-a940-757c71fba0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_01a01fbb-b7c6-7a08-b7c2-a7472c0ea1af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7fd9-af4b-0ed62dab9043" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a01fbb-b7c6-7085-8148-a5daf3061dd1" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a01fbb-b7c6-7085-8148-a5daf3061dd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b7c6-7cca-8f79-6c6adc76dc3f" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b7c6-7cca-8f79-6c6adc76dc3f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_01a01fbb-b7c6-79b6-be04-cbadf3fba9ff" 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_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_01a01fbb-b7c6-79b6-be04-cbadf3fba9ff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c71-93b4-f0b0c3411ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c71-93b4-f0b0c3411ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_01a01fbb-b7c6-70e0-b080-bcefece884f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_01a01fbb-b7c6-70e0-b080-bcefece884f1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_01a144ef-048e-7045-9ae3-48680a62efa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_01a144ef-048e-7045-9ae3-48680a62efa4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionFromSubsidiary_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e7e-aeef-c6c8677a5311" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionFromSubsidiary"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_strl_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionFromSubsidiary_01a01fbb-b7c6-7e7e-aeef-c6c8677a5311" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a01fbb-b7c6-7a50-a292-0dfb6fb9d77d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a01fbb-b7c6-7a50-a292-0dfb6fb9d77d" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a01fbb-b7c6-7ced-8d8d-a52fcc02ac7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a01fbb-b7c6-7ced-8d8d-a52fcc02ac7e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c6e-864f-beca06065de3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c6e-864f-beca06065de3" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b93-91f8-0322193cad9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_01a01fbb-b7c6-7b93-91f8-0322193cad9f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b7c6-7886-89e5-021fc58c4e89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b7c6-7886-89e5-021fc58c4e89" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c37-809c-f8baff44e55b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b7c6-7c37-809c-f8baff44e55b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bbe-bbe7-61c050ae4fa3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_01a01fbb-b7c6-7bbe-bbe7-61c050ae4fa3" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_01a01fbb-b7c6-72ca-aa8d-7436aacdd0ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a01fbb-b7c6-7998-8f92-0daf0489800a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_01a01fbb-b7c6-72ca-aa8d-7436aacdd0ca" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_01a01fbb-b7c6-7eae-93ff-82f3761b9fb7" 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_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b7c6-72be-8196-635c9ba062cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares_01a01fbb-b7c6-7fef-a950-6922e8123d09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonShares"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofFairValueConsiderationTransferredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#ACQUISITIONSScheduleofFairValueConsiderationTransferredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofFairValueConsiderationTransferredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7d41-be1e-6e8672d59306" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7d41-be1e-6e8672d59306" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7d41-be1e-6e8672d59306" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7705-a5c6-842a03a26839" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-72a2-bc90-b3dc086ee2ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7705-a5c6-842a03a26839" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7669-8a80-d8a2fe2bbeb8" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7705-a5c6-842a03a26839" xlink:to="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7669-8a80-d8a2fe2bbeb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-75a9-9f0c-c6c926dbe594" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7705-a5c6-842a03a26839" xlink:to="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-75a9-9f0c-c6c926dbe594" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_01a01fbb-b7c7-7752-9a38-417364a21625" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_01a01fbb-b7c7-7752-9a38-417364a21625" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_01a01fbb-b7c7-732a-a318-368502b9dd73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_01a01fbb-b7c7-732a-a318-368502b9dd73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnOut_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ac0-82c4-ee8a8f15c79d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnOut"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEarnOut_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ac0-82c4-ee8a8f15c79d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAdjustmentOfWorkingCapital_01a01fbb-b7c7-7040-881d-991290def949" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAdjustmentOfWorkingCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredAdjustmentOfWorkingCapital_01a01fbb-b7c7-7040-881d-991290def949" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_01a01fbb-b7c7-739b-81ec-7755a7e1da27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_01a01fbb-b7c7-739b-81ec-7755a7e1da27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_01a01fbb-b7c7-7d5d-94ce-d9145d0328d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7759-bef9-d3e258292849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_01a01fbb-b7c7-7d5d-94ce-d9145d0328d6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#ACQUISITIONSScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-726c-b415-e2f54c477ae3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-726c-b415-e2f54c477ae3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-726c-b415-e2f54c477ae3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b16-98d4-1d15076f71b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76a2-85c7-1ab45a834da7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b16-98d4-1d15076f71b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c01-aa3d-81141c88472e" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b16-98d4-1d15076f71b0" xlink:to="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c01-aa3d-81141c88472e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-788d-b9ed-75bee2b9e617" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b16-98d4-1d15076f71b0" xlink:to="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-788d-b9ed-75bee2b9e617" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f87-80e9-4f4ddacecfcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f87-80e9-4f4ddacecfcd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractWithCustomerAssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c7-7928-9cfb-6837fdd59b58" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractWithCustomerAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContractWithCustomerAssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c7-7928-9cfb-6837fdd59b58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_01a01fbb-b7c7-7604-a83a-61b12d6004d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsOther_01a01fbb-b7c7-7604-a83a-61b12d6004d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ea9-b4bd-17dda27965bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ea9-b4bd-17dda27965bd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_01a01fbb-b7c7-7660-99b0-84e439cce4e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherNoncurrentAssets_01a01fbb-b7c7-7660-99b0-84e439cce4e5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7784-9133-f4cdbe68ff46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7784-9133-f4cdbe68ff46" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesContractLiabilities_01a01fbb-b7c7-7085-ac9f-ea6330ce629d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesContractLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesContractLiabilities_01a01fbb-b7c7-7085-ac9f-ea6330ce629d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredOperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c7-78b1-a936-e1d52de8ea11" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredOperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredOperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent_01a01fbb-b7c7-78b1-a936-e1d52de8ea11" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_01a01fbb-b7c7-7113-8891-f2d3788e83b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_01a01fbb-b7c7-7113-8891-f2d3788e83b0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleLiabilitiesNet_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b8b-96bc-99df0bad1e6b" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleLiabilitiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleLiabilitiesNet_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b8b-96bc-99df0bad1e6b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-7fcc-b28d-f568cc54cac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-7fcc-b28d-f568cc54cac9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-7540-bf2f-7ae60f317b17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-7540-bf2f-7ae60f317b17" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_01a01fbb-b7c7-715b-8053-ea5f86694ec1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c53-a689-092933185970" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_01a01fbb-b7c7-715b-8053-ea5f86694ec1" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#ACQUISITIONSScheduleofIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofIdentifiableIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4b-a27d-4264db3e4272" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4b-a27d-4264db3e4272" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4b-a27d-4264db3e4272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-710f-b99b-7433154e68b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7aa1-a03c-c293ba8d4f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-710f-b99b-7433154e68b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-71bd-8ca2-dfa20f3b37d9" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-710f-b99b-7433154e68b2" xlink:to="loc_strl_StoneRidgeContractingLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-71bd-8ca2-dfa20f3b37d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7de7-84c0-6f9fc41b8b4a" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-710f-b99b-7433154e68b2" xlink:to="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7de7-84c0-6f9fc41b8b4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4b-a27d-4264db3e4272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7868-aa1a-aa174ce59e11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-76c0-9d8c-927651145ae5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7868-aa1a-aa174ce59e11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7037-b429-de770bb4632b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7868-aa1a-aa174ce59e11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7037-b429-de770bb4632b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-71e3-bd81-eff02ffecda1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7868-aa1a-aa174ce59e11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-71e3-bd81-eff02ffecda1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredAsPartOfBusinessCombinationTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4b-a27d-4264db3e4272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7114-ae6a-60e24ba19d5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d3-b53e-26849a7d975f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7114-ae6a-60e24ba19d5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_MeasurementInputCustomerAttritionRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c26-9acf-ccfd9c144758" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_MeasurementInputCustomerAttritionRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7114-ae6a-60e24ba19d5b" xlink:to="loc_strl_MeasurementInputCustomerAttritionRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c26-9acf-ccfd9c144758" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7185-868d-f4962caced77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7114-ae6a-60e24ba19d5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7185-868d-f4962caced77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_MeasurementInputRoyaltyRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7e88-8399-6577c4fb37f0" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_MeasurementInputRoyaltyRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7114-ae6a-60e24ba19d5b" xlink:to="loc_strl_MeasurementInputRoyaltyRateMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7e88-8399-6577c4fb37f0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_01a01fbb-b7c7-76f0-afd3-c67d61075909" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_01a01fbb-b7c7-76f0-afd3-c67d61075909" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-78a4-87f1-cb30406b16e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_01a01fbb-b7c7-78a4-87f1-cb30406b16e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_01a01fbb-b7c7-72ae-983c-f292b307f964" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_01a01fbb-b7c7-72ae-983c-f292b307f964" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMeasurementInput_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4a-adf6-6423c942692d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7526-a748-0c3924002a3a" xlink:to="loc_strl_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMeasurementInput_01a01fbb-b7c7-7c4a-adf6-6423c942692d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofProformaInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#ACQUISITIONSScheduleofProformaInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/ACQUISITIONSScheduleofProformaInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-76af-ac9a-673f6cb0aa43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d5-81ff-7bf3c426957e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-76af-ac9a-673f6cb0aa43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d5-81ff-7bf3c426957e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d5-81ff-7bf3c426957e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-759e-868f-c1c279dd4506" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-706e-9610-ee45ebeb5f05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-759e-868f-c1c279dd4506" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7716-b433-205c29dbb374" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-759e-868f-c1c279dd4506" xlink:to="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7716-b433-205c29dbb374" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_01a01fbb-b7c7-717b-9189-a79b721abc2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-76af-ac9a-673f6cb0aa43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_01a01fbb-b7c7-717b-9189-a79b721abc2b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_01a01fbb-b7c7-7de4-b482-fe250ec96ae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-76af-ac9a-673f6cb0aa43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaNetIncomeLoss_01a01fbb-b7c7-7de4-b482-fe250ec96ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofBacklogbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofBacklogbySegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofBacklogbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7828-bfaa-6c073a33b8d0" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-74e9-b0cc-de88420ac071" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7828-bfaa-6c073a33b8d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-74e9-b0cc-de88420ac071" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-74e9-b0cc-de88420ac071" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656_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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f3a-912a-d3a12493018f" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7820-b9b8-3f2d8d76b656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f3a-912a-d3a12493018f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7fff-bec9-4ad2c2b978ee" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f3a-912a-d3a12493018f" xlink:to="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7fff-bec9-4ad2c2b978ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7617-94a3-d98acae5139f" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f3a-912a-d3a12493018f" xlink:to="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7617-94a3-d98acae5139f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-708b-8e02-b9cd6382a114" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f3a-912a-d3a12493018f" xlink:to="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-708b-8e02-b9cd6382a114" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b73-b8cb-15b7b308cb30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-7828-bfaa-6c073a33b8d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b73-b8cb-15b7b308cb30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b45-99eb-d8ea13d8de90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b45-99eb-d8ea13d8de90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7845-9bce-796626618749" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7845-9bce-796626618749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d9-ab31-2efa2a8f229e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d9-ab31-2efa2a8f229e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_01a01fbb-b7c7-7387-bddc-e37c02bd7139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_01a01fbb-b7c7-7387-bddc-e37c02bd7139" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_01a01fbb-b7c7-7366-b638-b31638bb7f29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_01a01fbb-b7c7-7366-b638-b31638bb7f29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount_01a01fbb-b7c7-7344-ad5f-d04a3a9b7a80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount_01a01fbb-b7c7-7344-ad5f-d04a3a9b7a80" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_01a01fbb-b7c7-777a-92d1-7e10c48b6703" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_01a01fbb-b7c7-777a-92d1-7e10c48b6703" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSNarrativeDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7076-bfe5-f2657dfd7ddd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7924-8fd8-df6b4014f7ce" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7845-9bce-796626618749" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7845-9bce-796626618749" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d9-ab31-2efa2a8f229e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7a6f-b3c5-e0ee7fa6cbb9" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-78d9-ab31-2efa2a8f229e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_01a01fbb-b7c7-7387-bddc-e37c02bd7139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationPercentage_01a01fbb-b7c7-7387-bddc-e37c02bd7139" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_01a01fbb-b7c7-7366-b638-b31638bb7f29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_01a01fbb-b7c7-7366-b638-b31638bb7f29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount_01a01fbb-b7c7-7344-ad5f-d04a3a9b7a80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnapprovedChangeOrdersAmount_01a01fbb-b7c7-7344-ad5f-d04a3a9b7a80" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_01a01fbb-b7c7-777a-92d1-7e10c48b6703" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-72d9-9b56-52b0d68b6f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_01a01fbb-b7c7-777a-92d1-7e10c48b6703" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofRevenueDisaggregationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofRevenueDisaggregationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/REVENUEFROMCUSTOMERSScheduleofRevenueDisaggregationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-74c2-8949-23777b40aa65" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7070-abd3-c83e6e45eafa" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-74c2-8949-23777b40aa65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7070-abd3-c83e6e45eafa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7070-abd3-c83e6e45eafa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134_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_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-771c-b667-1d10ab6a72f6" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-725e-85ef-d28578c97134" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-771c-b667-1d10ab6a72f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ca5-9512-82c3b6ed23a7" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-771c-b667-1d10ab6a72f6" xlink:to="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7ca5-9512-82c3b6ed23a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-771e-9439-2550b47cee15" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-771c-b667-1d10ab6a72f6" xlink:to="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-771e-9439-2550b47cee15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-797f-b20a-75e789f4381c" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-771c-b667-1d10ab6a72f6" xlink:to="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-797f-b20a-75e789f4381c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7070-abd3-c83e6e45eafa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac_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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" 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_01a01fbb-b7c7-7334-b13b-221a5aedccac" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_HeavyHighwayMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b3f-914f-72bfa43fcac3" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_HeavyHighwayMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:to="loc_strl_HeavyHighwayMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7b3f-914f-72bfa43fcac3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_AviationMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7794-a414-63fe7ee0f149" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_AviationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:to="loc_strl_AviationMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7794-a414-63fe7ee0f149" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_OtherRevenueMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d6-9430-16cd06f0f504" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_OtherRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:to="loc_strl_OtherRevenueMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-73d6-9430-16cd06f0f504" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_ResidentialConstructionMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7041-be68-70cf99e7000e" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_ResidentialConstructionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:to="loc_strl_ResidentialConstructionMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7041-be68-70cf99e7000e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CommercialMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f46-acc1-e18587351bfc" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-74a0-868b-79c48b9e58ff" xlink:to="loc_strl_CommercialMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-7f46-acc1-e18587351bfc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_01a01fbb-b7c7-7070-abd3-c83e6e45eafa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-786b-9d21-b3adb5918d6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingAxis_01a01fbb-b7c7-7833-940b-66cb5827afa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-786b-9d21-b3adb5918d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LumpSumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-70bc-8b4f-27f4d22a033b" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LumpSumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-786b-9d21-b3adb5918d6b" xlink:to="loc_strl_LumpSumMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-70bc-8b4f-27f4d22a033b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-725a-87a7-d692bf469114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-786b-9d21-b3adb5918d6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixedPriceContractMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-725a-87a7-d692bf469114" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_ResidentialAndOtherMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-749d-87fd-5b4daef1b233" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_ResidentialAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerBasisOfPricingDomain_01a01fbb-b7c7-786b-9d21-b3adb5918d6b" xlink:to="loc_strl_ResidentialAndOtherMember_01a01fbb-b7c7-749d-87fd-5b4daef1b233" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b7c7-75da-af3b-de9161b5abb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_01a01fbb-b7c7-74c2-8949-23777b40aa65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b7c7-75da-af3b-de9161b5abb5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofFinancialStatementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofFinancialStatementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofFinancialStatementsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-75f5-8b41-175e0f85927c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-75f5-8b41-175e0f85927c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e" 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_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-75f5-8b41-175e0f85927c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e_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_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-701b-9e0f-8e065d7e286f" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7bf4-ac40-c1776ac57c5e" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-701b-9e0f-8e065d7e286f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7ec2-9050-c7bd4e896a98" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-701b-9e0f-8e065d7e286f" xlink:to="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7ec2-9050-c7bd4e896a98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-75f5-8b41-175e0f85927c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7631-8e7f-f401b648574f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7f8c-8283-47682fbf8052" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7631-8e7f-f401b648574f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-78ec-a63c-f52d0ff6d590" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7631-8e7f-f401b648574f" xlink:to="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-78ec-a63c-f52d0ff6d590" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7cc7-8a3b-90240732ab44" 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_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7cc7-8a3b-90240732ab44" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7bd0-9c07-40fd12bfaa32" 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_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7bd0-9c07-40fd12bfaa32" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a01fbb-b857-7b8d-8667-95d67e222f9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_01a01fbb-b857-7b8d-8667-95d67e222f9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeconsolidationRevaluationOfRetainedInvestmentGainOrLossAmount_01a01fbb-b857-7e6a-ba33-aa0f7e34d681" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DeconsolidationRevaluationOfRetainedInvestmentGainOrLossAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7481-a2d2-c02377ce28c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeconsolidationRevaluationOfRetainedInvestmentGainOrLossAmount_01a01fbb-b857-7e6a-ba33-aa0f7e34d681" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofStatementofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/A50OWNEDSUBSIDIARYScheduleofStatementofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-7f83-baef-6cec06c59006" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-7f83-baef-6cec06c59006" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-7f83-baef-6cec06c59006" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7cc2-a710-ca1f5092fe51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7862-9c29-5cc67dc3c551" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7cc2-a710-ca1f5092fe51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-70be-aa37-cd4cfcb8e26e" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7cc2-a710-ca1f5092fe51" xlink:to="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-70be-aa37-cd4cfcb8e26e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8" 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_MinorityInterestTable_01a01fbb-b857-7f83-baef-6cec06c59006" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8_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_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-749a-b889-ff0b3e5cc3c5" 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_01a01fbb-b857-731d-b1fc-292135c2a5b8" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-749a-b889-ff0b3e5cc3c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f10-bb07-d29c2d485a8d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-749a-b889-ff0b3e5cc3c5" xlink:to="loc_strl_RoadAndHighwayBuildersLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f10-bb07-d29c2d485a8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-755a-89c9-4552a8c65454" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-755a-89c9-4552a8c65454" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-7ca0-83ce-a1ee35ebeac7" 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_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-7ca0-83ce-a1ee35ebeac7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_01a01fbb-b857-7678-9c50-4e8321a94ede" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_01a01fbb-b857-7678-9c50-4e8321a94ede" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_01a01fbb-b857-7d55-b7dc-be2b3dc8a67f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70fc-a617-eec9780e3e9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_01a01fbb-b857-7d55-b7dc-be2b3dc8a67f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofCombinedFinancialAmountofJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofCombinedFinancialAmountofJointVenturesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofCombinedFinancialAmountofJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7bef-b4da-0d9b19d25b9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-761b-b2c2-100dc477e7da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7bef-b4da-0d9b19d25b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-761b-b2c2-100dc477e7da" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-761b-b2c2-100dc477e7da" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b857-73a4-b864-9bd7f168c6d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75c2-8d0f-e837c1cc062a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b857-73a4-b864-9bd7f168c6d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a01fbb-b857-7814-9e2f-1c9f1d8850b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a01fbb-b857-73a4-b864-9bd7f168c6d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a01fbb-b857-7814-9e2f-1c9f1d8850b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7700-a01a-91cd15cc31e7" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7bef-b4da-0d9b19d25b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7700-a01a-91cd15cc31e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7c26-a8df-795d60268e6c" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7bef-b4da-0d9b19d25b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent_01a01fbb-b857-7c26-a8df-795d60268e6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_ReceivablesFromAndEquityInConstructionJointVentures_01a01fbb-b857-7029-8f87-63bd99edcd47" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_ReceivablesFromAndEquityInConstructionJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7bef-b4da-0d9b19d25b9a" xlink:to="loc_strl_ReceivablesFromAndEquityInConstructionJointVentures_01a01fbb-b857-7029-8f87-63bd99edcd47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofIncomeStatementInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofIncomeStatementInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/CONSTRUCTIONJOINTVENTURESScheduleofIncomeStatementInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712b-8933-3c1ea26a9097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-7020-bce5-8074362524a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712b-8933-3c1ea26a9097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-7020-bce5-8074362524a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-7020-bce5-8074362524a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947_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_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7f12-9b61-8a35dfffcd58" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7869-96af-82a0d827b947" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7f12-9b61-8a35dfffcd58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_01a01fbb-b857-7a85-9ace-f7c128cacca0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7f12-9b61-8a35dfffcd58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_01a01fbb-b857-7a85-9ace-f7c128cacca0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_01a01fbb-b857-7020-bce5-8074362524a2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d65-a363-37844a10321a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7806-a616-873d18644248" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d65-a363-37844a10321a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e13-84ec-d2d37d16362f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d65-a363-37844a10321a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e13-84ec-d2d37d16362f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a01fbb-b857-75bb-b734-bccec184c482" 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_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712b-8933-3c1ea26a9097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a01fbb-b857-75bb-b734-bccec184c482" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_01a01fbb-b857-7871-be63-312e3926aef9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712b-8933-3c1ea26a9097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_01a01fbb-b857-7871-be63-312e3926aef9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a01fbb-b857-7883-a2e2-eb72eb480f20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712b-8933-3c1ea26a9097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a01fbb-b857-7883-a2e2-eb72eb480f20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-7eeb-b734-6ff8229dab72" 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_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a01fbb-b857-7883-a2e2-eb72eb480f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-7eeb-b734-6ff8229dab72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-749e-87ee-92de9abfba68" 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_NoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a01fbb-b857-7883-a2e2-eb72eb480f20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_01a01fbb-b857-749e-87ee-92de9abfba68" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/PROPERTYANDEQUIPMENTScheduleofPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#PROPERTYANDEQUIPMENTScheduleofPropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/PROPERTYANDEQUIPMENTScheduleofPropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712f-9afb-7aae86eb4f87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a01fbb-b857-7172-b52d-59b79f41cab9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712f-9afb-7aae86eb4f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a01fbb-b857-7172-b52d-59b79f41cab9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794" 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_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_01a01fbb-b857-7172-b52d-59b79f41cab9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794_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_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" 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_01a01fbb-b857-71aa-90b3-40af6b2fa794" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_ConstructionEquipmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-72b7-a3c9-e322fe48cd56" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_ConstructionEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" xlink:to="loc_strl_ConstructionEquipmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-72b7-a3c9-e322fe48cd56" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_01a01fbb-b857-78a2-979a-b2f87d16f9b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_01a01fbb-b857-78a2-979a-b2f87d16f9b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_01a01fbb-b857-711d-b866-ae010cd3cdb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_01a01fbb-b857-711d-b866-ae010cd3cdb2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-7b86-9d38-6c602f02e8a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c50-b2b4-55f15516eda9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OfficeEquipmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-7b86-9d38-6c602f02e8a8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_01a01fbb-b857-72b2-bdeb-317318ffc439" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712f-9afb-7aae86eb4f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_01a01fbb-b857-72b2-bdeb-317318ffc439" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a01fbb-b857-729d-8195-9cd9452630a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712f-9afb-7aae86eb4f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_01a01fbb-b857-729d-8195-9cd9452630a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_01a01fbb-b857-7c0e-b7f1-392a1d3f54d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-712f-9afb-7aae86eb4f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_01a01fbb-b857-7c0e-b7f1-392a1d3f54d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/OTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#OTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/OTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSScheduleofFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70f7-a35a-4be69ce39695" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a01fbb-b857-763c-ad60-151e8669c500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70f7-a35a-4be69ce39695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a01fbb-b857-763c-ad60-151e8669c500" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_01a01fbb-b857-763c-ad60-151e8669c500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e09-89cb-654229f2eea9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_01a01fbb-b857-704a-9c09-115ae44a9374" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e09-89cb-654229f2eea9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_01a01fbb-b857-72b3-91d4-4eba5976aa00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e09-89cb-654229f2eea9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_01a01fbb-b857-72b3-91d4-4eba5976aa00" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e1b-b7c3-737778fd2ac5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e09-89cb-654229f2eea9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e1b-b7c3-737778fd2ac5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_01a01fbb-b857-717b-ab15-cfe65bf1274d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70f7-a35a-4be69ce39695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_01a01fbb-b857-717b-ab15-cfe65bf1274d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_01a01fbb-b857-7980-b56d-1aea027bf1df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70f7-a35a-4be69ce39695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_01a01fbb-b857-7980-b56d-1aea027bf1df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_01a01fbb-b857-77a1-989a-79782acfbd06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-70f7-a35a-4be69ce39695" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_01a01fbb-b857-77a1-989a-79782acfbd06" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" 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_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386" 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_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386_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_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" 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_01a13575-4a76-7838-ab5a-e32c84178386" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a13575-4a76-77e1-8dac-ac45b160f92a" 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_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a13575-4a76-77e1-8dac-ac45b160f92a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a13575-4a76-729e-a4e3-6b1ac0b40fcd" 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_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_01a13575-4a76-729e-a4e3-6b1ac0b40fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_01a13575-4a76-7129-b444-88a0dd34a018" 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_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_01a13575-4a76-7129-b444-88a0dd34a018" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_01a17f01-ff98-7647-be3f-4f853d1c4d99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a13575-4a76-7680-b798-0a6e5494d077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_01a17f01-ff98-7647-be3f-4f853d1c4d99" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d" 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_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d_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_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a13575-4a76-7274-afaf-b7464ccfab87" 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_01a13575-4a76-7936-94cc-f92221b3394d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a13575-4a76-7274-afaf-b7464ccfab87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a13575-4a76-71d3-bac2-81637e9c44f5" 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_01a13575-4a76-7274-afaf-b7464ccfab87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a13575-4a76-71d3-bac2-81637e9c44f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5" 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_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5_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_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7474-b526-4590c7b94065" 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_01a13575-4a76-7c07-ad7a-04ed159245c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7474-b526-4590c7b94065" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CreditAgreementMember_01a13575-4a76-7b89-9b81-178d97652cf3" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7474-b526-4590c7b94065" xlink:to="loc_strl_CreditAgreementMember_01a13575-4a76-7b89-9b81-178d97652cf3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsOneMember_01a17f0c-37ba-770c-a465-1c4371ebd139" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7474-b526-4590c7b94065" xlink:to="loc_strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsOneMember_01a17f0c-37ba-770c-a465-1c4371ebd139" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsTwoMember_01a17f0c-8980-7383-a38e-172f3f1273f7" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a13575-4a76-7474-b526-4590c7b94065" xlink:to="loc_strl_RevolvingCreditFacilityBorrowingsTwoMember_01a17f0c-8980-7383-a38e-172f3f1273f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a13575-4a76-752c-9bf3-72b979c2d7d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7d0a-80dc-4a064ec562fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a13575-4a76-7112-adfb-473b60aa686e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7d0a-80dc-4a064ec562fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a13575-4a76-75d7-9818-af81c8524e83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7d0a-80dc-4a064ec562fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a13575-4a76-75d7-9818-af81c8524e83" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a13575-4a76-770a-97c9-a50534ef6c4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a13575-4a76-7d0a-80dc-4a064ec562fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a13575-4a76-770a-97c9-a50534ef6c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a13575-4a76-7b1e-a00d-199b73e89991" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a13575-4a76-7b1e-a00d-199b73e89991" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimit_01a179d8-58c5-70ec-a019-307bc6c0ee12" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimit_01a179d8-58c5-70ec-a019-307bc6c0ee12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimitPercentageOfEBITDA_01a13575-4a76-7ee3-8366-cdb83ab15f8d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimitPercentageOfEBITDA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimitPercentageOfEBITDA_01a13575-4a76-7ee3-8366-cdb83ab15f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantNetLeverageRatioMaximum_01a13575-4a76-7747-abc4-fcdb27744014" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantNetLeverageRatioMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantNetLeverageRatioMaximum_01a13575-4a76-7747-abc4-fcdb27744014" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateVariableRateBasisPointAdjustment_01a13575-4a76-7a65-bc4f-88916268909a" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateVariableRateBasisPointAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateVariableRateBasisPointAdjustment_01a13575-4a76-7a65-bc4f-88916268909a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_01a13575-4a76-72eb-9e14-2d11d4b3291a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_01a13575-4a76-72eb-9e14-2d11d4b3291a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a13575-4a76-7e94-9e2c-6f510ae776a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a13575-4a76-7e94-9e2c-6f510ae776a6" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumNetLeverageRatio_01a179da-08fe-7dd1-b9f5-f5c8a84b26e6" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumNetLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMaximumNetLeverageRatio_01a179da-08fe-7dd1-b9f5-f5c8a84b26e6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumInterestCoverageRatio_01a13575-4a76-76be-a3bd-0120dc7fa6f0" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentCovenantMinimumInterestCoverageRatio_01a13575-4a76-76be-a3bd-0120dc7fa6f0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_01a13575-4a76-752d-9577-3efcc3168b2a" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_01a13575-4a76-752d-9577-3efcc3168b2a" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_01a16bc6-94d3-71ab-b1ff-f053edfe5649" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_01a16bc6-94d3-71ab-b1ff-f053edfe5649" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a179da-08fe-78a6-b1cd-dfd8e8b0ba8e" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a179da-08fe-78a6-b1cd-dfd8e8b0ba8e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityNumberOfBorrowings_01a17f20-d71b-7c4f-9997-324ed10f786a" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LineOfCreditFacilityNumberOfBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LineOfCreditFacilityNumberOfBorrowings_01a17f20-d71b-7c4f-9997-324ed10f786a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentInterestRateVariableRatePercentage_01a13575-4a76-7080-afec-97ad209afedd" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_DebtInstrumentInterestRateVariableRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_strl_DebtInstrumentInterestRateVariableRatePercentage_01a13575-4a76-7080-afec-97ad209afedd" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a13575-4a76-78e5-92b4-7122f99a3d78" 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_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a13575-4a76-78e5-92b4-7122f99a3d78" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_01a179da-08fe-7322-ab00-5cee2e063d72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_01a179da-08fe-7322-ab00-5cee2e063d72" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsLineOfCreditArrangementsGross_01a13575-4a76-7355-8227-a29f0b7f6971" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsLineOfCreditArrangementsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtIssuanceCostsLineOfCreditArrangementsGross_01a13575-4a76-7355-8227-a29f0b7f6971" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_01a13575-4a76-7382-93d6-f5ee0e065808" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a13575-4a76-7879-bfd3-115b83ebf57f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCosts_01a13575-4a76-7382-93d6-f5ee0e065808" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/LEASEOBLIGATIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#LEASEOBLIGATIONSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/LEASEOBLIGATIONSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-a19c-8449344d686f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a01fbb-b857-7de8-b520-6368d5eae37c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-a19c-8449344d686f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a01fbb-b857-7de8-b520-6368d5eae37c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_01a01fbb-b857-7de8-b520-6368d5eae37c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7bf5-95fb-a53a9b6f2088" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77be-95c0-e5fe7baf9b0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7bf5-95fb-a53a9b6f2088" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b857-77fd-b357-7346ccc6508e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7bf5-95fb-a53a9b6f2088" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b857-77fd-b357-7346ccc6508e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e41-91c9-7c2617c6b0ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7bf5-95fb-a53a9b6f2088" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e41-91c9-7c2617c6b0ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseRenewalTerm_01a01fbb-b857-7e7d-9a52-4718caa995f2" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LesseeLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-a19c-8449344d686f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseRenewalTerm_01a01fbb-b857-7e7d-9a52-4718caa995f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseTerminationPeriod_01a01fbb-b857-7263-ac37-ad95f98b0828" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LesseeLeaseTerminationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-a19c-8449344d686f" xlink:to="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseTerminationPeriod_01a01fbb-b857-7263-ac37-ad95f98b0828" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareGrantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareGrantsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareGrantsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-760d-b4cb-7b0038b1e067" 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_01a01fbb-b857-731d-ac4e-6a44ffc5d6ea" 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_01a01fbb-b857-760d-b4cb-7b0038b1e067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-731d-ac4e-6a44ffc5d6ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-731d-ac4e-6a44ffc5d6ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2_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_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-71c6-aafa-1e20cb66e329" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7ad8-aa99-91f343f4ade2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-71c6-aafa-1e20cb66e329" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e0c-82ce-a7e1e47de60c" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-71c6-aafa-1e20cb66e329" xlink:to="loc_strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e0c-82ce-a7e1e47de60c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_01a01fbb-b857-7834-b92a-80c0ef832d30" 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_01a01fbb-b857-71c6-aafa-1e20cb66e329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_01a01fbb-b857-7834-b92a-80c0ef832d30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7899-a940-b0289599a9a6" 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_01a01fbb-b857-71c6-aafa-1e20cb66e329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7899-a940-b0289599a9a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-731d-ac4e-6a44ffc5d6ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ff9-81a2-e862d86aa85e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7c2c-8925-ef4aa31ae86e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ff9-81a2-e862d86aa85e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_EPSBasedMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f60-95e9-9ceb758fba20" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_EPSBasedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ff9-81a2-e862d86aa85e" xlink:to="loc_strl_EPSBasedMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f60-95e9-9ceb758fba20" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_MarketBasedMember_01a01fbb-b857-723e-becb-0e8a8f2900e9" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_MarketBasedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7ff9-81a2-e862d86aa85e" xlink:to="loc_strl_MarketBasedMember_01a01fbb-b857-723e-becb-0e8a8f2900e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsGranted_01a01fbb-b857-75fe-bb5b-557663644302" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsGranted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-760d-b4cb-7b0038b1e067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsGranted_01a01fbb-b857-75fe-bb5b-557663644302" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_01a01fbb-b857-7600-bca3-ea9149d6f254" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-760d-b4cb-7b0038b1e067" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_01a01fbb-b857-7600-bca3-ea9149d6f254" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareIssuancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareIssuancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYScheduleofShareIssuancesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7ffc-92fa-a775273fc76c" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7457-977c-caddaf204619" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7ffc-92fa-a775273fc76c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-7457-977c-caddaf204619" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f" 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_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-7457-977c-caddaf204619" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f_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_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7909-8be5-873dfcf507d2" 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_01a01fbb-b857-77e8-b7a9-50bf6606926f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7909-8be5-873dfcf507d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember_01a01fbb-b857-77ed-a370-5f883a870081" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7909-8be5-873dfcf507d2" xlink:to="loc_strl_RestrictedStockAwardsRSAsMember_01a01fbb-b857-77ed-a370-5f883a870081" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_01a01fbb-b857-7cdb-8b53-8ccd95715c12" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7909-8be5-873dfcf507d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_01a01fbb-b857-7cdb-8b53-8ccd95715c12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7c6b-89ea-123180fbc693" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7909-8be5-873dfcf507d2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_01a01fbb-b857-7c6b-89ea-123180fbc693" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_01a01fbb-b857-7457-977c-caddaf204619" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_01a01fbb-b857-76c3-8cca-42949cb60ad6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-735a-95db-9b37bd49437c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_01a01fbb-b857-76c3-8cca-42949cb60ad6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-7259-8bfb-85ae6e0ef2a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_01a01fbb-b857-76c3-8cca-42949cb60ad6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-7259-8bfb-85ae6e0ef2a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_01a01fbb-b857-7e5e-a7a2-9475a8aa4590" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7ffc-92fa-a775273fc76c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_01a01fbb-b857-7e5e-a7a2-9475a8aa4590" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/STOCKINCENTIVEPLANANDOTHEREQUITYACTIVITYNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b_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_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7403-b193-e3711bb3423b" 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_01a01fbb-b857-75d6-acec-e1c3b9876e0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7403-b193-e3711bb3423b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-7b57-922d-417e9cb2f712" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7403-b193-e3711bb3423b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-7b57-922d-417e9cb2f712" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7d90-a7c3-302c0314b97b" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7403-b193-e3711bb3423b" xlink:to="loc_strl_LiabilityBasedAwardsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7d90-a7c3-302c0314b97b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_RestrictedStockUnitsAndPhantomShareUnitsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e49-87bc-bf6269679ba9" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_RestrictedStockUnitsAndPhantomShareUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7403-b193-e3711bb3423b" xlink:to="loc_strl_RestrictedStockUnitsAndPhantomShareUnitsMember_01a01fbb-b857-7e49-87bc-bf6269679ba9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e07-904d-bb8b9a6e77a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01a01fbb-b857-79f8-854c-75660a7f7a97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e07-904d-bb8b9a6e77a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_01a01fbb-b857-7eab-bbfc-807002701961" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e07-904d-bb8b9a6e77a6" xlink:to="loc_strl_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_01a01fbb-b857-7eab-bbfc-807002701961" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788_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_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7782-8a9a-4a5ee3213419" 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_01a01fbb-b857-760b-bcc8-ceb3bd3e1788" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7782-8a9a-4a5ee3213419" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-73cb-8e8c-8a8a7b9bc402" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7782-8a9a-4a5ee3213419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a01fbb-b857-73cb-8e8c-8a8a7b9bc402" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9" 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_SubsidiaryOrEquityMethodInvesteeSaleOfStockBySubsidiaryOrEquityInvesteeTable_01a01fbb-b857-7c4c-b292-3d42a5085609" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9_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_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-74f0-84e1-0e92e40391c8" 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_01a01fbb-b857-785e-b653-257fbe9f99f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-74f0-84e1-0e92e40391c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a01fbb-b857-7ec6-ad8a-a49e69768ac2" 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_01a01fbb-b857-74f0-84e1-0e92e40391c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_01a01fbb-b857-7ec6-ad8a-a49e69768ac2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_01a01fbb-b857-7db9-ac7a-376b9c131951" 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_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_01a01fbb-b857-7db9-ac7a-376b9c131951" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a01fbb-b857-73be-8946-947ad33849f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a01fbb-b857-73be-8946-947ad33849f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b857-7552-9622-a74a45d008c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b857-7552-9622-a74a45d008c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b857-7374-bc97-0cdbc8d532a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_01a01fbb-b857-7374-bc97-0cdbc8d532a6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a01fbb-b857-77fe-847d-8a6b31747018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a01fbb-b857-77fe-847d-8a6b31747018" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a01fbb-b857-722e-8b3b-008d9775f1dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_01a01fbb-b857-722e-8b3b-008d9775f1dd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a01fbb-b857-7ac2-9eae-78e02a626bd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-741e-aaa4-697d465afd9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_01a01fbb-b857-7ac2-9eae-78e02a626bd1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7a79-b11a-3a7b0a3db0cd" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_01a01fbb-b857-7a79-b11a-3a7b0a3db0cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7a79-b11a-3a7b0a3db0cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece_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_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e4f-95f4-0676172f54c3" 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_01a01fbb-b857-73ea-ae06-054007aa0ece" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e4f-95f4-0676172f54c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f48-beaf-54620fe39903" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7e4f-95f4-0676172f54c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_01a01fbb-b857-7f48-beaf-54620fe39903" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_01a01fbb-b857-7a79-b11a-3a7b0a3db0cd" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7346-b3a8-a2ff8e844615" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7396-9185-ee2f44350f9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7346-b3a8-a2ff8e844615" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b857-7411-8799-a23cf6ba4b88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7346-b3a8-a2ff8e844615" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a01fbb-b857-7411-8799-a23cf6ba4b88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b857-702e-b39c-9883ef81f180" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a01fbb-b857-7346-b3a8-a2ff8e844615" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a01fbb-b857-702e-b39c-9883ef81f180" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_01a01fbb-b857-7a79-b11a-3a7b0a3db0cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d1c-a53c-bdcdccfb9070" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7d84-8e8c-f5cd87306458" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d1c-a53c-bdcdccfb9070" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7c78-afa8-302ec072e7c6" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d1c-a53c-bdcdccfb9070" xlink:to="loc_strl_CECFacilitiesGroupLLCMember_01a01fbb-b857-7c78-afa8-302ec072e7c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_01a01fbb-b857-77d5-b15d-abc63349e5b4" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_01a01fbb-b857-77d5-b15d-abc63349e5b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseExpirationPeriod_01a01fbb-b857-756d-8699-6db031db08b1" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_LesseeLeaseExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_strl_LesseeLeaseExpirationPeriod_01a01fbb-b857-756d-8699-6db031db08b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-7c0c-8eea-d340af31de86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-7c0c-8eea-d340af31de86" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_01a01fbb-b857-79f3-b4fd-c15222a547f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_01a01fbb-b857-79f3-b4fd-c15222a547f1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_01a01fbb-b857-74c4-9769-c4d980d53b84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7524-ae32-126795c5551a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredLiabilitiesIncurred_01a01fbb-b857-74c4-9769-c4d980d53b84" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.strlco.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofRevenueOperatingIncomeandAssetsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofRevenueOperatingIncomeandAssetsbyReportableSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.strlco.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofRevenueOperatingIncomeandAssetsbyReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" 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_01a01fbb-b857-710e-a21b-4854ccda3490" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a01fbb-b857-710e-a21b-4854ccda3490" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9" 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_01a01fbb-b857-710e-a21b-4854ccda3490" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9_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_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a01fbb-b857-721a-a989-c94efd74a2af" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7912-a209-237fcb0c6ea9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a01fbb-b857-721a-a989-c94efd74a2af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a01fbb-b857-776f-8add-7f0e83581d1a" 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_01a01fbb-b857-721a-a989-c94efd74a2af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a01fbb-b857-776f-8add-7f0e83581d1a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-71b1-960b-0be33544c5ac" 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_01a01fbb-b857-721a-a989-c94efd74a2af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-71b1-960b-0be33544c5ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490" 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_01a01fbb-b857-710e-a21b-4854ccda3490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490_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_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d02-8638-1857ce807464" 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_01a01fbb-b857-7a0c-baed-5a885bb1e490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d02-8638-1857ce807464" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-7754-a24e-e3f9bf9d023d" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d02-8638-1857ce807464" xlink:to="loc_strl_EInfrastructureSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-7754-a24e-e3f9bf9d023d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-746d-ac9a-0e42af686ea6" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d02-8638-1857ce807464" xlink:to="loc_strl_TransportationSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-746d-ac9a-0e42af686ea6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-76a9-aea4-619cca62e0a2" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a01fbb-b857-7d02-8638-1857ce807464" xlink:to="loc_strl_BuildingSolutionsSegmentMember_01a01fbb-b857-76a9-aea4-619cca62e0a2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-7d4c-8a8b-d750268551cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_01a01fbb-b857-7d4c-8a8b-d750268551cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_01a01fbb-b857-783a-9058-862f18137a35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_01a01fbb-b857-783a-9058-862f18137a35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_01a01fbb-b857-76ee-95be-86bec3724ce4" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_01a01fbb-b857-76ee-95be-86bec3724ce4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_01a01fbb-b857-7cbe-93f7-b425b97a3d03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_01a01fbb-b857-7cbe-93f7-b425b97a3d03" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_01a01fbb-b857-790c-a03b-ae12f503bd84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_01a01fbb-b857-790c-a03b-ae12f503bd84" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_01a01fbb-b857-7c88-8954-c78e7a789ece" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_01a01fbb-b857-7c88-8954-c78e7a789ece" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a01fbb-b857-7225-a084-8d92501398c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a01fbb-b857-7225-a084-8d92501398c2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-9c60-cde89e45fca8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_01a01fbb-b857-71c3-9c60-cde89e45fca8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationEarnOutExpense_01a01fbb-b857-773a-b373-cefb1f6edc82" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_BusinessCombinationEarnOutExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_strl_BusinessCombinationEarnOutExpense_01a01fbb-b857-773a-b373-cefb1f6edc82" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_01a01fbb-b857-73df-aee5-eef60491ae9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_01a01fbb-b857-73df-aee5-eef60491ae9c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a01fbb-b857-7a47-ac58-aaaec75abaf5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a01fbb-b857-7c32-83c2-0a0e6b76be05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a01fbb-b857-7a47-ac58-aaaec75abaf5" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-roles-2026.xsd#eedm1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/srt/role/srt-eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:type="arc" order="101"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent" 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_LiabilitiesCurrentAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent" xlink:type="arc" order="41"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#IndividualsOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/role/IndividualsOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2026/ecd-2026.xsd#ecd_AllIndividualsMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_strl_JosephA.CutilloMember_01a10ff7-7412-7ba3-8b30-0316b2474fce" xlink:href="strl-20260930.xsd#strl_JosephA.CutilloMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_strl_JosephA.CutilloMember_01a10ff7-7412-7ba3-8b30-0316b2474fce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
