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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:01a0014e-761a-7969-aaba-ec9ccfe6788a,g:8b7875dd-f715-4784-8dd8-096861846541-->
<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.encorecapital.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialCondition" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialCondition"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofFinancialCondition" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a0014e-776e-785a-a5b4-bf442c202db1" 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_01a0014e-776e-736a-b087-5451ef20afed" 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_01a0014e-776e-785a-a5b4-bf442c202db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a0014e-776e-736a-b087-5451ef20afed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8" 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_01a0014e-776e-736a-b087-5451ef20afed" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8_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_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7331-9f86-c5307f15591c" 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_01a0014e-776e-7145-a089-58ee991ed5a8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7331-9f86-c5307f15591c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a0014e-776e-75d4-9e8b-e05cc387aca9" 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_01a0014e-776e-7331-9f86-c5307f15591c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_01a0014e-776e-75d4-9e8b-e05cc387aca9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a0014e-776e-785a-a5b4-bf442c202db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_01a0014e-776e-7493-b6cc-648898257062" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_01a0014e-776e-7493-b6cc-648898257062" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_01a0014e-776e-74bb-bcaf-bbaf57f0a7fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableNet_01a0014e-776e-74bb-bcaf-bbaf57f0a7fc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_01a0014e-776e-7f6c-b89f-e2847eafa018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_01a0014e-776e-7f6c-b89f-e2847eafa018" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7017-b3b6-678b7ba50a22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7017-b3b6-678b7ba50a22" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_01a0014e-776e-7771-ab7f-7dc70f320c69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_01a0014e-776e-7771-ab7f-7dc70f320c69" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a0014e-776e-7a97-9775-4aa0936e4584" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-794a-a3a2-d571818ee59f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_01a0014e-776e-7a97-9775-4aa0936e4584" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a0014e-776e-785a-a5b4-bf442c202db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_01a0014e-776e-7dbf-8f50-b3fdad773140" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_01a0014e-776e-7dbf-8f50-b3fdad773140" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_01a0014e-776e-7731-8c70-3b4bcdc94dac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_01a0014e-776e-7731-8c70-3b4bcdc94dac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7f3c-9333-66c4396b23af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7f3c-9333-66c4396b23af" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_01a0014e-776e-77d4-bcb6-b64b31cb8c38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-790d-9e80-4c3c988b4ce8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_01a0014e-776e-77d4-bcb6-b64b31cb8c38" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_01a0014e-776e-7a85-b122-6147b22f8b27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies_01a0014e-776e-7a85-b122-6147b22f8b27" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_01a0014e-776e-7212-9f96-876c1297d233" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockValue_01a0014e-776e-7212-9f96-876c1297d233" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_01a0014e-776e-7c19-8d23-28388c7085c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_01a0014e-776e-7c19-8d23-28388c7085c4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_01a0014e-776e-7680-8738-22a1f3fe1854" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_01a0014e-776e-7680-8738-22a1f3fe1854" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_01a0014e-776e-77ef-8563-2390f4062862" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_01a0014e-776e-77ef-8563-2390f4062862" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a0014e-776e-7c45-9ec7-a350b52994c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_01a0014e-776e-7c45-9ec7-a350b52994c1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-776e-721f-84ba-1fe3c38d86d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7381-be76-79addcd15289" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-776e-721f-84ba-1fe3c38d86d8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_01a0014e-776e-778e-b8d2-372961226a1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7d18-a76d-2f72cb9551a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_01a0014e-776e-778e-b8d2-372961226a1f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_01a0014e-776e-799e-aa37-08cd77353366" 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_01a0014e-776e-7d26-8a56-19bfd26249aa" 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_01a0014e-776e-799e-aa37-08cd77353366" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_01a0014e-776e-7d26-8a56-19bfd26249aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247" 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_01a0014e-776e-7d26-8a56-19bfd26249aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247_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_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" 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_01a0014e-776e-73ef-8151-26108704c247" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a0014e-776e-7769-8ed2-6fa3b51673f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a0014e-776e-7769-8ed2-6fa3b51673f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a0014e-776e-70ca-8614-1178d00e67b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_01a0014e-776e-70ca-8614-1178d00e67b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a0014e-776e-766e-89df-c870d36db885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_01a0014e-776e-766e-89df-c870d36db885" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a0014e-776e-7cf3-abe5-8f19027f969c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-776e-7efd-a2f9-8c47a2822917" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_01a0014e-776e-7cf3-abe5-8f19027f969c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" 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_01a0014e-776e-799e-aa37-08cd77353366" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_01a0014e-776e-7c7e-bd4a-9c312f3e8d35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_01a0014e-776e-7c7e-bd4a-9c312f3e8d35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-776e-7593-aeaf-3581ef32d6f7" 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_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-776e-7593-aeaf-3581ef32d6f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a0014e-776e-78c4-92b2-1f0679d65a16" 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_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a0014e-776e-78c4-92b2-1f0679d65a16" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a0014e-776e-7328-b457-872f9569768f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax_01a0014e-776e-7328-b457-872f9569768f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetOfTaxWithholding_01a0014e-776e-7331-8978-1b22ac893cfd" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetOfTaxWithholding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetOfTaxWithholding_01a0014e-776e-7331-8978-1b22ac893cfd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetofTaxWithholdings_01a0014e-776e-7ac9-a657-e9a5b8f357dd" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetofTaxWithholdings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercisedIncludesRestrictedStockUnitsNetofTaxWithholdings_01a0014e-776e-7ac9-a657-e9a5b8f357dd" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_01a0014e-776e-7321-a06d-42621f53e376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_01a0014e-776e-7321-a06d-42621f53e376" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_01a0014e-776e-7eea-bb9a-9966608559ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_01a0014e-776e-7eea-bb9a-9966608559ac" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a0014e-776e-7fac-93da-4a6bfb483f6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_01a0014e-776e-7fac-93da-4a6bfb483f6e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SettlementOfConvertibleNotes_01a169db-77c9-7306-be5f-909d5cddd3b7" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SettlementOfConvertibleNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SettlementOfConvertibleNotes_01a169db-77c9-7306-be5f-909d5cddd3b7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalUnwindOfCappedCallOptions_01a169e9-e84d-7950-bb09-1278d02e3e07" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalUnwindOfCappedCallOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_01a0014e-776e-7be4-b6eb-91a2a0ea9c21" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalUnwindOfCappedCallOptions_01a169e9-e84d-7950-bb09-1278d02e3e07" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_01a0014e-776e-7d59-94b2-61226e9658d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-776e-7367-96fc-a5effd4fc218" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7c8f-9390-4aaec851dd9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a0014e-776e-7a65-8a98-badf3c80baf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7c8f-9390-4aaec851dd9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a0014e-776e-7a65-8a98-badf3c80baf3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a0014e-776e-7a65-8a98-badf3c80baf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73e9-a96c-20ebc35d2c7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-776d-aa25-c4fd645a004c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73e9-a96c-20ebc35d2c7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-7a4e-89c2-8e0c20e5df0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73e9-a96c-20ebc35d2c7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-7a4e-89c2-8e0c20e5df0e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7188-9feb-f077d93f3d1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73e9-a96c-20ebc35d2c7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7188-9feb-f077d93f3d1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_01a0014e-776e-7a65-8a98-badf3c80baf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-741f-a2e3-ae3e76ae2302" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-796b-9414-fbe8e50fe0e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-741f-a2e3-ae3e76ae2302" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a0014e-776e-72e6-98ee-ea40632e7003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-741f-a2e3-ae3e76ae2302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a0014e-776e-72e6-98ee-ea40632e7003" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a0014e-776e-7062-822e-4c075fd3e048" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-741f-a2e3-ae3e76ae2302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a0014e-776e-7062-822e-4c075fd3e048" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a0014e-776e-782c-8652-fb9ac49b5a03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-741f-a2e3-ae3e76ae2302" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a0014e-776e-782c-8652-fb9ac49b5a03" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7645-9239-cd68fe6876dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7c8f-9390-4aaec851dd9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7645-9239-cd68fe6876dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7097-8753-6c0ada0fd7cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7645-9239-cd68fe6876dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7097-8753-6c0ada0fd7cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-75e4-8dac-5616e1489eba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7c8f-9390-4aaec851dd9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-75e4-8dac-5616e1489eba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-775e-a735-5f8ff41cc6e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_01a0014e-776e-75e4-8dac-5616e1489eba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-775e-a735-5f8ff41cc6e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsNotRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsNotRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFinancialInstrumentsNotRequiredtobeCarriedatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a0014e-776e-71df-8045-0eec877b8e9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a0014e-776e-71df-8045-0eec877b8e9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a0014e-776e-7794-9c9d-6b37c788288d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_01a0014e-776e-7a0a-aea7-b16134900dfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a0014e-776e-7794-9c9d-6b37c788288d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7602-93ac-72840029015d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_01a0014e-776e-7794-9c9d-6b37c788288d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7602-93ac-72840029015d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-710a-9535-5e8237d0469b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7602-93ac-72840029015d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-710a-9535-5e8237d0469b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7b4b-a898-a13e8e86fb9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7602-93ac-72840029015d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_01a0014e-776e-7b4b-a898-a13e8e86fb9a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e_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_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7293-8806-742e8600f497" 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_01a0014e-776e-7f2c-8843-b07ee722657e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7293-8806-742e8600f497" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7fdd-943b-9b78e80b9fac" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7293-8806-742e8600f497" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7fdd-943b-9b78e80b9fac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7677-8bd9-bf2178c257af" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7293-8806-742e8600f497" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7677-8bd9-bf2178c257af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0" 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_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0_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_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-71f1-a613-ccb05b46dadf" 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_01a0014e-776e-709c-a751-8d882357fac0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-71f1-a613-ccb05b46dadf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7d34-8b2e-9e1c4d8870b5" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-71f1-a613-ccb05b46dadf" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7d34-8b2e-9e1c4d8870b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-78b5-a8ec-9d509f4b6c50" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-71f1-a613-ccb05b46dadf" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-78b5-a8ec-9d509f4b6c50" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7883-9817-30d4a5b91b24" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-71f1-a613-ccb05b46dadf" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7883-9817-30d4a5b91b24" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb_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_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-79ea-a544-04b82ec3fa72" 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_01a0014e-776e-7211-abaf-fd3d61eceffb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-79ea-a544-04b82ec3fa72" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember_01a0014e-776e-7652-95f3-d30b5163d93f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-79ea-a544-04b82ec3fa72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember_01a0014e-776e-7652-95f3-d30b5163d93f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_01a0014e-776e-78e5-8a66-23a31535ff8d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7372-8eee-af109c256523" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_01a0014e-776e-7d78-ab8b-edf57fa93928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7372-8eee-af109c256523" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a0014e-776e-7e77-8928-cd2a96e12fb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7372-8eee-af109c256523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_01a0014e-776e-7e77-8928-cd2a96e12fb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a0014e-776e-7edc-9df4-b7518b5e03f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7372-8eee-af109c256523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_01a0014e-776e-7edc-9df4-b7518b5e03f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a0014e-776e-7033-a314-17692e278108" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_01a0014e-776e-7372-8eee-af109c256523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_01a0014e-776e-7033-a314-17692e278108" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-70ac-a38d-48e1bd7a5be3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a0014e-776e-71df-8045-0eec877b8e9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-70ac-a38d-48e1bd7a5be3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-72bd-aca3-7753189103be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-70ac-a38d-48e1bd7a5be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-72bd-aca3-7753189103be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-76a0-886f-f093f5acae52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-70ac-a38d-48e1bd7a5be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-76a0-886f-f093f5acae52" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-70bd-bdba-50b6b1697a0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-70ac-a38d-48e1bd7a5be3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-70bd-bdba-50b6b1697a0b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7348-88a5-3b3e5c9369f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_01a0014e-776e-71df-8045-0eec877b8e9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7348-88a5-3b3e5c9369f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-70f0-8434-3438e4252dfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7348-88a5-3b3e5c9369f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-70f0-8434-3438e4252dfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_01a0014e-776e-792e-8f33-b4438ef3e998" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7348-88a5-3b3e5c9369f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_01a0014e-776e-792e-8f33-b4438ef3e998" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-7df3-8334-4967fe9478bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_01a0014e-776e-7348-88a5-3b3e5c9369f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_01a0014e-776e-7df3-8334-4967fe9478bc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-74f1-ad6b-850bcd322c45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-74f1-ad6b-850bcd322c45" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-796f-9ff0-da04e4c8d7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-796f-9ff0-da04e4c8d7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-73d3-be48-97b2a940ab9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-73d3-be48-97b2a940ab9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-b852-741610c5493f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-b852-741610c5493f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7c64-805b-7c9ad627e952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7c64-805b-7c9ad627e952" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7322-82a6-4067d07c155f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7322-82a6-4067d07c155f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7351-9fe4-c3120f885988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7351-9fe4-c3120f885988" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7c54-9c24-4925af3be06f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7c54-9c24-4925af3be06f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsScheduleofFairValueofDerivativeInstrumentsDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7998-b6da-81576a706b7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-74f1-ad6b-850bcd322c45" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7329-bdcb-7ace56312e1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-74f1-ad6b-850bcd322c45" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-79eb-8dc0-faf44cdf6296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-7023-a884-7706016e3fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-796f-9ff0-da04e4c8d7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-796f-9ff0-da04e4c8d7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-73d3-be48-97b2a940ab9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-791a-8288-c20195db6692" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-73d3-be48-97b2a940ab9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7c64-805b-7c9ad627e952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_01a0014e-776e-7c64-805b-7c9ad627e952" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7322-82a6-4067d07c155f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_01a0014e-776e-7322-82a6-4067d07c155f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7351-9fe4-c3120f885988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7351-9fe4-c3120f885988" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7c54-9c24-4925af3be06f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-78df-af8f-429741b67446" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue_01a0014e-776e-7c54-9c24-4925af3be06f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNotionalAmountDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNotionalAmountDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNotionalAmountDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7ab1-a5b3-31a86d9efe3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_01a0014e-776e-7778-82f2-26497117a2fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7ab1-a5b3-31a86d9efe3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_01a0014e-776e-7778-82f2-26497117a2fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_01a0014e-776e-7778-82f2-26497117a2fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-715d-9797-f57387b77f99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2024CapMember_01a0014e-776e-76f3-8e7b-ad62caa9461d" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateCap2024CapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2024CapMember_01a0014e-776e-76f3-8e7b-ad62caa9461d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapMember_01a0014e-776e-795a-83b6-496e231cab63" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapMember_01a0014e-776e-795a-83b6-496e231cab63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-727b-abe5-00e8c1692c93" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapU.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2025CapU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-727b-abe5-00e8c1692c93" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2026CapMember_01a0014e-776e-77a5-8da5-65f2b40f366e" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateCap2026CapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateCap2026CapMember_01a0014e-776e-77a5-8da5-65f2b40f366e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023EuroIRSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7718-8255-724cfd84b1ef" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023EuroIRSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023EuroIRSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7718-8255-724cfd84b1ef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2024EuroIRSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7e84-be07-0c29a5d25bcc" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2024EuroIRSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2024EuroIRSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7e84-be07-0c29a5d25bcc" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7dd1-9270-701260058ecb" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2023SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7dd1-9270-701260058ecb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7658-97d7-7cacf7893860" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsU.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7658-97d7-7cacf7893860" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsGlobalSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7e74-8b28-354e7a41abdb" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsGlobalSeniorFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74cd-9885-0072fecc898c" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2025SOFRIRSwapsGlobalSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7e74-8b28-354e7a41abdb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_01a0014e-776e-7778-82f2-26497117a2fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7536-8d3a-67884d7ea1ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7164-ae0f-a371afead226" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7536-8d3a-67884d7ea1ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7855-97b1-a2293bd0f60a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7536-8d3a-67884d7ea1ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7855-97b1-a2293bd0f60a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_01a0014e-776e-7778-82f2-26497117a2fa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7054-8a93-e0c4d894b907" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7029-85f8-4aa66ac177a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7054-8a93-e0c4d894b907" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7002-958c-55538d6c00da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7054-8a93-e0c4d894b907" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7002-958c-55538d6c00da" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a0014e-776e-7f9a-be07-4dfff3f43f69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7ab1-a5b3-31a86d9efe3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a0014e-776e-7f9a-be07-4dfff3f43f69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a16a1f-c305-765b-841a-7b9e41a09a48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a16a1f-c305-765b-841a-7b9e41a09a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a16a20-91d6-7657-87d4-562f744700b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a16a20-91d6-7562-b218-7949292181d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a16a20-91d6-7657-87d4-562f744700b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2026SOFRIRSwapMember_01a16a26-1ddd-7ef6-9f5e-afb1c653c859" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_InterestRateSwap2026SOFRIRSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a16a20-91d6-7657-87d4-562f744700b8" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_InterestRateSwap2026SOFRIRSwapMember_01a16a26-1ddd-7ef6-9f5e-afb1c653c859" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a16a20-eccb-7e36-8f94-fb05e94f4562" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a16a20-eccb-7058-9e1b-021c959155c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a16a20-eccb-7e36-8f94-fb05e94f4562" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a16a26-5e65-7479-a9bc-1375293d4b41" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a16a20-eccb-7e36-8f94-fb05e94f4562" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a16a26-5e65-7479-a9bc-1375293d4b41" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a16a21-2ae2-7436-a1d4-4a8328b90eef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a16a21-2ae2-7ad3-9287-d89aefe03b30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a16a21-2ae2-7436-a1d4-4a8328b90eef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a16a26-ee73-7cb6-81df-29ef271de50b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a16a21-2ae2-7436-a1d4-4a8328b90eef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a16a26-ee73-7cb6-81df-29ef271de50b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a16a1f-3064-7f9e-a924-9d9ec04a2c9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16a21-699f-7d94-ab75-800be358ff7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16a21-699f-73b7-be78-2b44826b08b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16a21-699f-7d94-ab75-800be358ff7f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a16a27-1e8f-7873-bdc6-7da5d77b4d8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16a21-699f-7d94-ab75-800be358ff7f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a16a27-1e8f-7873-bdc6-7da5d77b4d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a16a1e-0b47-7530-b458-2ce5930b2320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a16a1f-c305-765b-841a-7b9e41a09a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_01a16a1e-0b47-7530-b458-2ce5930b2320" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_01a0014e-776e-734f-9fb6-16a6c3fedc49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a16a1f-c305-765b-841a-7b9e41a09a48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths_01a0014e-776e-734f-9fb6-16a6c3fedc49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7f5f-b419-918afb9ec281" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7f5f-b419-918afb9ec281" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7321-bcdb-de752e2e7090" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7321-bcdb-de752e2e7090" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-78c1-afaf-d2da31a71c2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-78c1-afaf-d2da31a71c2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7b5a-b9d2-9bd5925138ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7b5a-b9d2-9bd5925138ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_01a0014e-776e-778f-a744-f70467c4792f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_01a0014e-776e-778f-a744-f70467c4792f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7774-8800-79e2103f8d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7774-8800-79e2103f8d62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7319-b4c0-86a9e8f4e998" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7319-b4c0-86a9e8f4e998" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-776e-7cc5-a4a2-3f62783438bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-776e-7cc5-a4a2-3f62783438bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/DerivativesandHedgingInstrumentsEffectsofDerivativesDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad5-be0c-21bbc978724e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7f5f-b419-918afb9ec281" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-8226-1cbbf370e64a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_01a0014e-776e-7f5f-b419-918afb9ec281" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_01a0014e-776e-75f8-8d19-0606e23a4ff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7321-bcdb-de752e2e7090" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_01a0014e-776e-7321-bcdb-de752e2e7090" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-78c1-afaf-d2da31a71c2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ba7-97c1-dfb6dc6e53c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_01a0014e-776e-78c1-afaf-d2da31a71c2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_01a0014e-776e-7318-aa90-c5cf8e857f35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_01a0014e-776e-7ad1-8007-4e89dcf1c44b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7b5a-b9d2-9bd5925138ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_01a0014e-776e-7cf2-ac8b-41ecc48e8aab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgingMember_01a0014e-776e-7b5a-b9d2-9bd5925138ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7774-8800-79e2103f8d62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7774-8800-79e2103f8d62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7319-b4c0-86a9e8f4e998" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_01a0014e-776e-7319-b4c0-86a9e8f4e998" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-776e-7cc5-a4a2-3f62783438bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_01a0014e-776e-780b-a9c4-547f431e5480" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-776e-7cc5-a4a2-3f62783438bb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConsolidatedDebtandCapitalLeaseObligationsTableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsConsolidatedDebtandCapitalLeaseObligationsTableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConsolidatedDebtandCapitalLeaseObligationsTableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" 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_01a0014e-776e-77c5-ae84-020e9c01dcfc" 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_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-77c5-ae84-020e9c01dcfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d" 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_01a0014e-776e-77c5-ae84-020e9c01dcfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d_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_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" 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_01a0014e-776e-78bb-bb22-6d55d2754f7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a0014e-776e-7b06-b745-92a3cb119573" 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_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a0014e-776e-7b06-b745-92a3cb119573" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7263-bd5d-c0ef958910af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7263-bd5d-c0ef958910af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7bb6-a34d-59ab1581e77d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7bb6-a34d-59ab1581e77d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember_01a0014e-776e-7031-b0bd-8f551577d005" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bd8-bbc3-cc44250c58df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember_01a0014e-776e-7031-b0bd-8f551577d005" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388" 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_01a0014e-776e-77c5-ae84-020e9c01dcfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388_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_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-72e7-93ea-cb8473472777" 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_01a0014e-776e-797a-b1f0-2219b83f6388" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-72e7-93ea-cb8473472777" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7366-87b8-c9daf7a5f8ca" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-72e7-93ea-cb8473472777" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7366-87b8-c9daf7a5f8ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-721b-a6c9-19b9a1c6906e" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-72e7-93ea-cb8473472777" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-721b-a6c9-19b9a1c6906e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7128-a607-baee1eb7ccec" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-72e7-93ea-cb8473472777" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7128-a607-baee1eb7ccec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb" 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_01a0014e-776e-77c5-ae84-020e9c01dcfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb_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_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7b2e-bba5-c3b991745634" 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_01a0014e-776e-729c-9d01-ee4eb4bdcedb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7b2e-bba5-c3b991745634" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7c5f-8a13-465c431b7ded" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7b2e-bba5-c3b991745634" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7c5f-8a13-465c431b7ded" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7e91-b130-661dedf3d56d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7e91-b130-661dedf3d56d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_01a0014e-776e-765f-ba4b-d1934dc86951" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_01a0014e-776e-765f-ba4b-d1934dc86951" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_01a0014e-776e-7a53-b6b0-a94861c13cbf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiability_01a0014e-776e-765f-ba4b-d1934dc86951" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseLiabilityStatementOfFinancialPositionExtensibleList_01a0014e-776e-7a53-b6b0-a94861c13cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_LongTermDebtAndLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturitiesGrossOfDebtIssuancesCosts_01a0014e-776e-7b06-8fcb-b69cff161d46" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_LongTermDebtAndLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturitiesGrossOfDebtIssuancesCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_LongTermDebtAndLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturitiesGrossOfDebtIssuancesCosts_01a0014e-776e-7b06-8fcb-b69cff161d46" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_01a0014e-776e-743a-a93a-b5f6166d3040" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_01a0014e-776e-743a-a93a-b5f6166d3040" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_01a0014e-776e-7a07-8830-def1f553055e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e8f-aa73-24657c5374c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_01a0014e-776e-7a07-8830-def1f553055e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsGlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsGlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsGlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" 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_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" 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_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c70-a875-2590930f9a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_01a0014e-776e-77f8-8558-4fb7e804197a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c70-a875-2590930f9a84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_EuroInterbankOfferedRateEURIBORMember_01a0014e-776e-7169-a420-1d06c8087241" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_EuroInterbankOfferedRateEURIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c70-a875-2590930f9a84" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_EuroInterbankOfferedRateEURIBORMember_01a0014e-776e-7169-a420-1d06c8087241" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SterlingOvernightIndexAverageSONIAMember_01a0014e-776e-7c40-9a7b-91bbc5a5be95" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SterlingOvernightIndexAverageSONIAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c70-a875-2590930f9a84" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SterlingOvernightIndexAverageSONIAMember_01a0014e-776e-7c40-9a7b-91bbc5a5be95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_01a0014e-776e-733f-a4c4-ebd02478dc68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c70-a875-2590930f9a84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrOvernightIndexSwapRateMember_01a0014e-776e-733f-a4c4-ebd02478dc68" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d" 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_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d_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_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-7765-857c-5ff684e684c1" 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_01a0014e-776e-7708-b790-501a7a65ed7d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-7765-857c-5ff684e684c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7e21-b8f2-720816a9074e" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-776e-7765-857c-5ff684e684c1" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_GlobalSeniorSecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7e21-b8f2-720816a9074e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7f51-845e-a1e76f3a1e6a" 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_01a0014e-776e-7765-857c-5ff684e684c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7f51-845e-a1e76f3a1e6a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e" 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_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e_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_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-77fe-b088-1fe70fa60db4" 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_01a0014e-776e-7fdf-95de-5a2b6e7a706e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-77fe-b088-1fe70fa60db4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7a6d-8cf9-446a74617b86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-77fe-b088-1fe70fa60db4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_01a0014e-776e-7a6d-8cf9-446a74617b86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7" 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_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7_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_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-776e-79c3-9239-5c122ce8511b" 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_01a0014e-776e-7e51-8e6a-3b6c8657b7a7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-776e-79c3-9239-5c122ce8511b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a0014e-776e-7489-a0dc-474cf96ce413" 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_01a0014e-776e-79c3-9239-5c122ce8511b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a0014e-776e-7489-a0dc-474cf96ce413" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef" 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_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef_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_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-791f-ba68-8b9a1b645dc9" 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_01a0014e-776e-7065-b234-421e5a4222ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-791f-ba68-8b9a1b645dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_RevolvingCreditFacilitySeptember2028MaturityMember_01a0014e-776e-7558-8058-fb90a22b7adb" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_RevolvingCreditFacilitySeptember2028MaturityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-791f-ba68-8b9a1b645dc9" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_RevolvingCreditFacilitySeptember2028MaturityMember_01a0014e-776e-7558-8058-fb90a22b7adb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7c42-9d13-b806d8985539" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-776e-7583-a411-20cae5dbd743" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-776e-773d-92a6-d31898d31b4b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-776e-7583-a411-20cae5dbd743" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-776e-7667-9b63-8fff166dc08c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-776e-7583-a411-20cae5dbd743" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-776e-7667-9b63-8fff166dc08c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-776e-7127-962d-74c211802ad2" 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_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-776e-7127-962d-74c211802ad2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-776e-7200-a69d-e9b12675f4cf" 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_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-776e-7200-a69d-e9b12675f4cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentInterestRateAdjustmentSpread_01a0014e-776e-778e-9aac-1e1d28baaae4" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_DebtInstrumentInterestRateAdjustmentSpread"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentInterestRateAdjustmentSpread_01a0014e-776e-778e-9aac-1e1d28baaae4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_01a0014e-776e-7226-8792-0330e8f7e695" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_01a0014e-776e-7226-8792-0330e8f7e695" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfFinancialIndebtednessToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments_01a0014e-776e-723f-8f9e-367623b5574d" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfFinancialIndebtednessToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfFinancialIndebtednessToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments_01a0014e-776e-723f-8f9e-367623b5574d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsUtilizationThreshold_01a0014e-776e-761c-bf48-f5dd862e9cc8" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsUtilizationThreshold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsUtilizationThreshold_01a0014e-776e-761c-bf48-f5dd862e9cc8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfSuperSeniorLiabilitiesToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments_01a0014e-776e-7696-9624-c7e569cb3b14" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfSuperSeniorLiabilitiesToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsMaximumRatioOfSuperSeniorLiabilitiesToCashAndCashEquivalentInvestments_01a0014e-776e-7696-9624-c7e569cb3b14" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsFixedChargeCoverageRatio_01a0014e-776e-73f1-b85a-1f3075628277" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsFixedChargeCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantTermsFixedChargeCoverageRatio_01a0014e-776e-73f1-b85a-1f3075628277" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7afa-839f-17137e45faea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7afa-839f-17137e45faea" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-776e-7f60-a5ed-f48a1aa2d730" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-776e-7f60-a5ed-f48a1aa2d730" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-776e-7c63-94d4-5c0bde5316f8" 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_01a0014e-776e-741c-8f1a-da22efd2785b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-776e-7c63-94d4-5c0bde5316f8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesTableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesTableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesTableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" 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_01a0014e-776e-7b55-93c0-15b71b18486b" 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_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7b55-93c0-15b71b18486b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7" 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_01a0014e-776e-7b55-93c0-15b71b18486b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7_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_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74bf-9cbe-43a9157a92b4" 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_01a0014e-776e-7e5a-be07-6338efb10cb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74bf-9cbe-43a9157a92b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7de0-9cae-c431ac03517f" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-74bf-9cbe-43a9157a92b4" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7de0-9cae-c431ac03517f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8" 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_01a0014e-776e-7b55-93c0-15b71b18486b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8_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_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" 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_01a0014e-776e-77bf-8869-6299a134e5b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2028NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7079-b454-9a920318d2f0" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2028NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2028NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7079-b454-9a920318d2f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7874-af6f-7fe20314b403" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7874-af6f-7fe20314b403" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-74e8-b265-2fc60d975d40" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-74e8-b265-2fc60d975d40" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2030NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-70ae-b932-97b6e8e736ff" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2030NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2030NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-70ae-b932-97b6e8e736ff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2031NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-76bd-a137-75772f96b3ce" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2031NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2031NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-76bd-a137-75772f96b3ce" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7ebc-8181-01321ad2d410" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7ebc-8181-01321ad2d410" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7181-aed2-9a1acfbadaf7" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73a0-9618-340a418e8d0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7181-aed2-9a1acfbadaf7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7958-8297-220c257e837a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-7958-8297-220c257e837a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-7fa2-80c6-550d768bcb20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-7fa2-80c6-550d768bcb20" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor_01a0014e-776e-7e6b-a170-e1ca304937cb" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor_01a0014e-776e-7e6b-a170-e1ca304937cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-776e-71d1-aa28-c07624064bd1" 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_01a0014e-776e-7186-8975-a0f544e23f6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-776e-71d1-aa28-c07624064bd1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsSeniorSecuredNotesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" 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_01a0014e-776e-7996-bd8d-9b13ad0c8574" 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_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7996-bd8d-9b13ad0c8574" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235" 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_01a0014e-776e-7996-bd8d-9b13ad0c8574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235_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_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" 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_01a0014e-776e-732d-a0c5-867e86816235" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7b2c-99a7-b55d70eb1650" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2032NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7b2c-99a7-b55d70eb1650" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-78be-924a-5d00e780b8a0" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2029NotesMember_01a0014e-776e-78be-924a-5d00e780b8a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-78ad-b0f0-3bb130393cef" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2033FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-78ad-b0f0-3bb130393cef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7ef8-b8eb-eaa2372ff1a5" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7c25-820e-4caccfb04f48" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_Encore2028FloatingRateNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7ef8-b8eb-eaa2372ff1a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb" 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_01a0014e-776e-7996-bd8d-9b13ad0c8574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb_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_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7eb6-a6bf-eb3b5ad068d7" 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_01a0014e-776e-7902-bf92-b962ac6864eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7eb6-a6bf-eb3b5ad068d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-767d-9950-d13b2a8008e7" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7eb6-a6bf-eb3b5ad068d7" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_SeniorSecuredNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-767d-9950-d13b2a8008e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7996-bd8d-9b13ad0c8574" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7442-a171-0a7339c8e814" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-776e-76a3-bcb5-f7c4c1c76475" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7442-a171-0a7339c8e814" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_EUR_01a0014e-776e-78e2-8299-ac63a49126a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_EUR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-776e-7442-a171-0a7339c8e814" xlink:to="loc_currency_EUR_01a0014e-776e-78e2-8299-ac63a49126a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a0014e-776e-7185-bd08-66f497fa23c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a0014e-776e-7185-bd08-66f497fa23c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-733c-90ac-21c14edcf0a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-733c-90ac-21c14edcf0a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentIssuancePricePercent_01a0014e-776e-7c28-ba61-43ae4499a3a1" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_DebtInstrumentIssuancePricePercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentIssuancePricePercent_01a0014e-776e-7c28-ba61-43ae4499a3a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt_01a0014e-776e-7fe3-a3f3-c011cf135783" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarlyRepaymentOfSeniorDebt_01a0014e-776e-7fe3-a3f3-c011cf135783" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a0014e-776e-7fc2-8e8d-bdebfe0534ac" 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_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_01a0014e-776e-7fc2-8e8d-bdebfe0534ac" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_01a0014e-776e-7fc7-8564-c97f08025b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_01a0014e-776e-7fc7-8564-c97f08025b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_01a0014e-776e-7e77-b989-282efc342e83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_01a0014e-776e-7e77-b989-282efc342e83" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor_01a0014e-776e-7919-84b5-b1e9190f6d03" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_DebtInstrumentVariableRateFloor_01a0014e-776e-7919-84b5-b1e9190f6d03" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-776e-7ec1-a576-2172418ca95f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7d71-9fb4-a726b3da6f34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-776e-7ec1-a576-2172418ca95f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConvertibleNotesTableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsConvertibleNotesTableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConvertibleNotesTableDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e5e-a92d-0a7cbcfb48d5" 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_01a0014e-776e-72a9-aaac-807b86d04571" 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_01a0014e-776e-7e5e-a92d-0a7cbcfb48d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-72a9-aaac-807b86d04571" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa" 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_01a0014e-776e-72a9-aaac-807b86d04571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa_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_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bf7-a701-61ebe43ff5cc" 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_01a0014e-776e-73b9-8d71-335a8b305bfa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bf7-a701-61ebe43ff5cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7dd1-9305-7cb2bb9895c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7bf7-a701-61ebe43ff5cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7dd1-9305-7cb2bb9895c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6" 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_01a0014e-776e-72a9-aaac-807b86d04571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6_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_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73d8-bac0-1a40bdf545f2" 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_01a0014e-776e-7821-a1e5-b46924966dd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73d8-bac0-1a40bdf545f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7158-904c-10ade9ff0e61" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-776e-73d8-bac0-1a40bdf545f2" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a0014e-776e-7158-904c-10ade9ff0e61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-74e6-bd3c-f96e2ce86491" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e5e-a92d-0a7cbcfb48d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-776e-74e6-bd3c-f96e2ce86491" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-7621-9785-87c8b6fdae17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-7e5e-a92d-0a7cbcfb48d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_01a0014e-776e-7621-9785-87c8b6fdae17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConvertibleNotesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsConvertibleNotesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsConvertibleNotesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" 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_01a0014e-776e-7918-8242-84996c754d89" 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_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-776e-7918-8242-84996c754d89" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6" 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_01a0014e-776e-7918-8242-84996c754d89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6_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_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7022-bd1a-7dc95b602eee" 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_01a0014e-776e-783f-8b6b-b2990191c7b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7022-bd1a-7dc95b602eee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7fde-b08b-9c3889179ff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-776e-7022-bd1a-7dc95b602eee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleNotesPayableMember_01a0014e-776e-7fde-b08b-9c3889179ff8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8" 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_01a0014e-776e-7918-8242-84996c754d89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8_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_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a184e3-3473-788f-8cc2-6324d65d0c94" 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_01a184e3-3473-7d96-860b-ccb9c1eaecc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a184e3-3473-788f-8cc2-6324d65d0c94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a184e3-3473-7f40-ac72-f818b0c7ac5e" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a184e3-3473-788f-8cc2-6324d65d0c94" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_A2029ConvertibleNotesMember_01a184e3-3473-7f40-ac72-f818b0c7ac5e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a184e3-3473-7dd0-9eb9-ce09fc6b6195" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_01a184e3-3473-7dd0-9eb9-ce09fc6b6195" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1_01a184e3-3473-76af-9845-2038032551fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtConversionOriginalDebtAmount1_01a184e3-3473-76af-9845-2038032551fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt_01a184e3-3473-7acd-ae7e-85c9c29f6b92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfConvertibleDebt_01a184e3-3473-7acd-ae7e-85c9c29f6b92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_DebtConversionSpreadRecognizedInAdditionalPaidInCapital_01a184e3-3473-704c-927a-620e15417946" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_DebtConversionSpreadRecognizedInAdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_DebtConversionSpreadRecognizedInAdditionalPaidInCapital_01a184e3-3473-704c-927a-620e15417946" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_01a184e3-3473-7a72-a61a-ce4a8cbff8bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_01a184e3-3473-7a72-a61a-ce4a8cbff8bb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_01a184e3-3473-7473-aa40-8d0eb8a90c13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentConvertibleConversionPrice1_01a184e3-3473-7473-aa40-8d0eb8a90c13" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities_01a184e3-3473-76b0-8cc3-5d6c87c21d55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromHedgeFinancingActivities_01a184e3-3473-76b0-8cc3-5d6c87c21d55" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization_01a0014e-776e-7cea-9af4-0f5b6742c0db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-776e-739f-b526-ff873c8e17cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebtExcludingAmortization_01a0014e-776e-7cea-9af4-0f5b6742c0db" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsCabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsCabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsCabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" 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_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a" 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_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a_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_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7526-8666-4c68f6bc10b9" 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_01a0014e-780a-7785-ab11-b3019c50892a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7526-8666-4c68f6bc10b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-76c6-9030-38398e10d0b2" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7526-8666-4c68f6bc10b9" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_CabotSecuritisationSeniorFacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-76c6-9030-38398e10d0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00" 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_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00_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_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-780a-75e6-b151-190ae4f1fc15" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e96-8841-29f8a5c22f00" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_01a0014e-780a-75e6-b151-190ae4f1fc15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a0014e-780a-7b7f-87c6-30bd2def3403" 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_01a0014e-780a-75e6-b151-190ae4f1fc15" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_01a0014e-780a-7b7f-87c6-30bd2def3403" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a0014e-780a-7733-8a91-25dc7591ba98" 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_01a0014e-780a-75e6-b151-190ae4f1fc15" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_01a0014e-780a-7733-8a91-25dc7591ba98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-724e-9b31-ace8eb7cbba1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_01a0014e-780a-70f2-a485-434c02029ac6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-724e-9b31-ace8eb7cbba1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_01a0014e-780a-7d6c-9fc2-55520df236f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-724e-9b31-ace8eb7cbba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_01a0014e-780a-7d6c-9fc2-55520df236f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_01a0014e-780a-788f-9ec0-d79286cce58d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_01a0014e-780a-724e-9b31-ace8eb7cbba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_01a0014e-780a-788f-9ec0-d79286cce58d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_CurrencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:to="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-780a-711d-9d54-a17757bf0650" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_AllCurrenciesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CurrencyAxis_01a0014e-780a-7892-b567-6da35f7ad014" xlink:to="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-780a-711d-9d54-a17757bf0650" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_currency_GBP_01a0014e-780a-7f19-9df9-378ac89d1413" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2026/currency-2026.xsd#currency_GBP"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_currency_AllCurrenciesDomain_01a0014e-780a-711d-9d54-a17757bf0650" xlink:to="loc_currency_GBP_01a0014e-780a-7f19-9df9-378ac89d1413" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-780a-71d9-8309-fd3d9088cfc0" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7d91-b194-b98776687df2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-7c20-9061-e1c28c34ad78" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7d91-b194-b98776687df2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-780a-71ef-b82e-556d65d02c91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7d91-b194-b98776687df2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-780a-71ef-b82e-556d65d02c91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-780a-7575-88e2-4f8752e724b1" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-780a-7575-88e2-4f8752e724b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-780a-7d3a-bfd3-a116ff342050" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-780a-7d3a-bfd3-a116ff342050" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-780a-7a66-828d-c684411054ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-780a-7a66-828d-c684411054ca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_01a0014e-780a-7361-91a5-4ff56f6379a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1_01a0014e-780a-7361-91a5-4ff56f6379a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired_01a0014e-780a-73a8-9e0c-5e6155d6c67c" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired_01a0014e-780a-73a8-9e0c-5e6155d6c67c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-780a-76a4-828b-5937bbf772c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e1a-ae19-1d1019aea524" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-780a-76a4-828b-5937bbf772c6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsUSFacilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#BorrowingsUSFacilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/BorrowingsUSFacilityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" 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_01a0014e-780a-7a02-99f5-c03e402c9f90" 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_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_01a0014e-780a-7a02-99f5-c03e402c9f90" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1" 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_01a0014e-780a-7a02-99f5-c03e402c9f90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1_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_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b85-a459-c7575a3686d8" 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_01a0014e-780a-78af-9989-0579d3f4a6e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b85-a459-c7575a3686d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-7c09-b46b-57e2a34e5959" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b85-a459-c7575a3686d8" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-7c09-b46b-57e2a34e5959" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f" 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_01a0014e-780a-7a02-99f5-c03e402c9f90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f_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_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-780a-7156-9d2d-fbd2e5922788" 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_01a0014e-780a-7091-af40-b7cf0e63243f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_01a0014e-780a-7156-9d2d-fbd2e5922788" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a0014e-780a-78b7-8b12-ef1dfcbdaf48" 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_01a0014e-780a-7156-9d2d-fbd2e5922788" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_01a0014e-780a-78b7-8b12-ef1dfcbdaf48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d" 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_01a0014e-780a-7a02-99f5-c03e402c9f90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d_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_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7c9f-b509-a8d38861af0a" 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_01a0014e-780a-722c-a29e-e7bcb7e56f9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7c9f-b509-a8d38861af0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-73eb-b271-32b100b94804" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_01a0014e-780a-7c9f-b509-a8d38861af0a" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_U.S.FacilityMember_01a0014e-780a-73eb-b271-32b100b94804" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-780a-732d-bdbc-43ff1bd25d87" 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_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_01a0014e-780a-732d-bdbc-43ff1bd25d87" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-780a-79bd-9fd2-cc4c354eaa41" 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_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_01a0014e-780a-79bd-9fd2-cc4c354eaa41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-780a-753e-b10f-9cfe96202803" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_01a0014e-780a-753e-b10f-9cfe96202803" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired_01a0014e-780a-71df-a9f6-a58a1da1e830" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_FinancingReceivablesAcquired_01a0014e-780a-71df-a9f6-a58a1da1e830" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-780a-7ca4-bf1f-a1e1b19273c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_01a0014e-780a-74ca-a325-237e2373a490" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRateOverTime_01a0014e-780a-7ca4-bf1f-a1e1b19273c2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e41-a810-79df1e61c2aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a0014e-780a-7b03-8b15-4bed6c31f87c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e41-a810-79df1e61c2aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a0014e-780a-7b03-8b15-4bed6c31f87c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282" 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_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_01a0014e-780a-7b03-8b15-4bed6c31f87c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282_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_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-782c-af2e-ab3f41b0f9ea" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e28-9ab6-a0f8aecb3282" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-782c-af2e-ab3f41b0f9ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossCashFlowHedgeIncludingNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-7cd7-81f3-45dea6ed3897" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossCashFlowHedgeIncludingNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-782c-af2e-ab3f41b0f9ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossCashFlowHedgeIncludingNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-7cd7-81f3-45dea6ed3897" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-760e-9f11-01e0107b8898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-782c-af2e-ab3f41b0f9ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedForeignCurrencyAdjustmentIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-760e-9f11-01e0107b8898" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-7bd7-9adf-1fd1184fdc47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a0014e-780a-782c-af2e-ab3f41b0f9ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterestMember_01a0014e-780a-7bd7-9adf-1fd1184fdc47" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e41-a810-79df1e61c2aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-780a-74cc-b50b-2108182a0d8a" 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_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-780a-74cc-b50b-2108182a0d8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_01a0014e-780a-710f-9587-004c1e4ae700" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_01a0014e-780a-710f-9587-004c1e4ae700" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_01a0014e-780a-7f71-8b27-64ae8bfc14d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_01a0014e-780a-7f71-8b27-64ae8bfc14d4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax_01a0014e-780a-79c3-b5bc-d77d7000c9ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAbstract_01a0014e-780a-794c-a49d-b28bfda83976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax_01a0014e-780a-79c3-b5bc-d77d7000c9ef" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_01a0014e-780a-7c04-84a4-8aa207d8dae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7a3f-a7dc-7ea7f999cd6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_01a0014e-780a-7cc2-8c6f-ec60d9697b4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7a3f-a7dc-7ea7f999cd6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_01a0014e-780a-7cc2-8c6f-ec60d9697b4a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_01a0014e-780a-7cc2-8c6f-ec60d9697b4a" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b36-ad1b-c9f95ea7ab73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7a8b-81eb-60dba49df1b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b36-ad1b-c9f95ea7ab73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CR_01a0014e-780a-7cf5-b727-9b742a39da59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_CR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7b36-ad1b-c9f95ea7ab73" xlink:to="loc_country_CR_01a0014e-780a-7cf5-b727-9b742a39da59" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyTable_01a0014e-780a-7cc2-8c6f-ec60d9697b4a" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7f6e-9341-645e4aabb5f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_01a0014e-780a-74dd-85f5-85fd5e8aaee1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7f6e-9341-645e4aabb5f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-780a-7ee9-9275-93cf43f35b7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_01a0014e-780a-7f6e-9341-645e4aabb5f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_01a0014e-780a-7ee9-9275-93cf43f35b7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_01a0014e-780a-7b39-8196-85362a1b3775" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7a3f-a7dc-7ea7f999cd6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_01a0014e-780a-7b39-8196-85362a1b3775" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxHolidays_01a0014e-780a-776f-b82f-c05287ff85a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxHolidays"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxContingencyLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7a3f-a7dc-7ea7f999cd6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationTaxHolidays_01a0014e-780a-776f-b82f-c05287ff85a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#SegmentandGeographicInformationReportableSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationReportableSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" 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_01a0014e-780a-7213-b49a-f9768831aaf0" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a0014e-780a-7213-b49a-f9768831aaf0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921" 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_01a0014e-780a-7213-b49a-f9768831aaf0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921_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_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a0014e-780a-7e16-ab2f-04a3d433671e" 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_01a0014e-780a-788f-aa72-f23c2c727921" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_01a0014e-780a-7e16-ab2f-04a3d433671e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a0014e-780a-725a-aaad-b02d763eb6ea" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e16-ab2f-04a3d433671e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_01a0014e-780a-725a-aaad-b02d763eb6ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_01a0014e-780a-7e9b-9e19-c2a9cda4f1c6" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e16-ab2f-04a3d433671e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_01a0014e-780a-7e9b-9e19-c2a9cda4f1c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a0014e-780a-77ab-9c16-db00b77ddd82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_01a0014e-780a-77ab-9c16-db00b77ddd82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_01a0014e-780a-77f1-9cf6-39cddd494950" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenses_01a0014e-780a-77f1-9cf6-39cddd494950" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a0014e-780a-78c9-89a5-1e6fdde4d87d" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_01a0014e-780a-78c9-89a5-1e6fdde4d87d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_01a0014e-780a-79b8-a186-fe81011f5455" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_01a0014e-780a-79b8-a186-fe81011f5455" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-780a-79c7-a61d-2bd878c54955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_01a0014e-780a-79c7-a61d-2bd878c54955" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a0014e-780a-7d61-861d-e1d80ed99f43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_01a0014e-780a-7d61-861d-e1d80ed99f43" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a0014e-780a-7f07-bb53-eaca27ef56e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_01a0014e-780a-7f07-bb53-eaca27ef56e0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_01a0014e-780a-7e3a-b22c-b4fc509f64b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LaborAndRelatedExpense_01a0014e-780a-7e3a-b22c-b4fc509f64b8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_01a0014e-780a-774e-a787-93a13e1f5746" 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_01a0014e-780a-7e03-ae3d-de50e1399422" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_01a0014e-780a-774e-a787-93a13e1f5746" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-75f5-be7b-86e60d08f22f" 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_01a0014e-780a-72e4-bf86-b678d323cf02" 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_01a0014e-780a-75f5-be7b-86e60d08f22f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a0014e-780a-72e4-bf86-b678d323cf02" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909" 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_01a0014e-780a-72e4-bf86-b678d323cf02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909_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_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a0014e-780a-79ad-8974-59b26cc5adb3" 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_01a0014e-780a-7782-a9bd-e5670b66c909" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a0014e-780a-79ad-8974-59b26cc5adb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_ReportableSegmentMember_01a0014e-780a-7b36-b771-d5f74a865b68" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_ReportableSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_01a0014e-780a-79ad-8974-59b26cc5adb3" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_ReportableSegmentMember_01a0014e-780a-7b36-b771-d5f74a865b68" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_01a0014e-780a-7c51-8ad2-3f2e5a23669c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-75f5-be7b-86e60d08f22f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_01a0014e-780a-7c51-8ad2-3f2e5a23669c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationGeographicAreasDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#SegmentandGeographicInformationGeographicAreasDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/SegmentandGeographicInformationGeographicAreasDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7314-9110-5a2f238ffad9" 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_01a0014e-780a-7c04-a320-d831d03eae13" 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_01a0014e-780a-7314-9110-5a2f238ffad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a0014e-780a-7c04-a320-d831d03eae13" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_01a0014e-780a-7c04-a320-d831d03eae13" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-79d7-a7c3-bcd5af176820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_01a0014e-780a-7ad8-9c3e-1e3a7ceadb85" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-79d7-a7c3-bcd5af176820" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_01a0014e-780a-7a56-a370-1743a3635733" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-79d7-a7c3-bcd5af176820" xlink:to="loc_country_US_01a0014e-780a-7a56-a370-1743a3635733" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EuropeMember_01a0014e-780a-7ced-9497-73ba062ac54b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_EuropeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-79d7-a7c3-bcd5af176820" xlink:to="loc_srt_EuropeMember_01a0014e-780a-7ced-9497-73ba062ac54b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_GB_01a0014e-780a-71a2-92d4-38a985d0b137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2026/country-2026.xsd#country_GB"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EuropeMember_01a0014e-780a-7ced-9497-73ba062ac54b" xlink:to="loc_country_GB_01a0014e-780a-71a2-92d4-38a985d0b137" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_OtherEuropeanCountriesMember_01a0014e-780a-7c43-9167-005d9d3d0dc4" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_OtherEuropeanCountriesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EuropeMember_01a0014e-780a-7ced-9497-73ba062ac54b" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_OtherEuropeanCountriesMember_01a0014e-780a-7c43-9167-005d9d3d0dc4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_OtherGeographiesMember_01a0014e-780a-7daa-8519-6a30dbd5bb37" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_OtherGeographiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_01a0014e-780a-79d7-a7c3-bcd5af176820" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_OtherGeographiesMember_01a0014e-780a-7daa-8519-6a30dbd5bb37" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_RevenuesAdjustedByNetAllowances_01a0014e-780a-7985-9bca-6a1aab8ac2b4" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_RevenuesAdjustedByNetAllowances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_01a0014e-780a-7314-9110-5a2f238ffad9" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_RevenuesAdjustedByNetAllowances_01a0014e-780a-7985-9bca-6a1aab8ac2b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillActivityinGoodwillBalanceDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#GoodwillActivityinGoodwillBalanceDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.encorecapital.com/role/GoodwillActivityinGoodwillBalanceDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_01a188c8-2e89-7e65-8b3d-ec22f61e05dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_01a188c7-9dd9-7c1a-8722-0b3c91346801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_01a188c8-2e89-7e65-8b3d-ec22f61e05dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_01a188c7-9dd9-7c1a-8722-0b3c91346801" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_01a188c7-9dd9-7c1a-8722-0b3c91346801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_01a188c8-2e89-7000-92a9-b92a265392c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_01a188c8-2e89-717e-a09b-7fb3ef02d98b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_01a188c8-2e89-7000-92a9-b92a265392c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ecpg_CabotMember_01a188c8-689c-7ec5-a45a-c6b3cfc036d7" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_CabotMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_01a188c8-2e89-7000-92a9-b92a265392c3" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_CabotMember_01a188c8-689c-7ec5-a45a-c6b3cfc036d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_01a188c8-2e89-758b-8e57-922d49092eb0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_01a188c8-2e89-7e65-8b3d-ec22f61e05dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_01a188c8-2e89-758b-8e57-922d49092eb0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </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_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
  </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_ecpg_RyanBellMember_01a0f495-b857-76ce-a480-fc21da574ff2" xlink:href="ecpg-20260930.xsd#ecpg_RyanBellMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ecd_AllIndividualsMember" xlink:to="loc_ecpg_RyanBellMember_01a0f495-b857-76ce-a480-fc21da574ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
