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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2026 Workiva-->
<!--r:019ffb4d-8c50-7190-b512-70c07dd13b4a,g:575533fc-3993-4800-98f4-726c511d33fc-->
<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.kontoorbrands.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a40-8f3b-0f49c7affbf5" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7119-a6d3-28e3eaef0902" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a40-8f3b-0f49c7affbf5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7119-a6d3-28e3eaef0902" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7119-a6d3-28e3eaef0902" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef9-be09-9c7f9eee685f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cc8-8f70-6d8614592289" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cc8-8f70-6d8614592289" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bd3-8be0-21c5c911a7fa" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bd3-8be0-21c5c911a7fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ed-b2f9-9c936dac164c" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ed-b2f9-9c936dac164c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-770e-b00b-3cb88f035e35" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78ce-b9aa-371e8b6ead5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-770e-b00b-3cb88f035e35" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a40-8f3b-0f49c7affbf5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019ffb4d-8ea9-7591-a61e-0704bf9788c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019ffb4d-8ea9-7591-a61e-0704bf9788c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8ea9-701c-9162-0b873ba6df0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8ea9-701c-9162-0b873ba6df0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-781e-885d-221803b0ae56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-781e-885d-221803b0ae56" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8c-b751-91832b5f557b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8c-b751-91832b5f557b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019ffb4d-8ea9-794b-b8dc-82d7dbd5b71d" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_019ffb4d-8ea9-794b-b8dc-82d7dbd5b71d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b7-989c-a74109ed56d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b7-989c-a74109ed56d3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c5-b98b-44d6f13c3bde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c5-b98b-44d6f13c3bde" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffb4d-8ea9-748e-a057-61f8ced7a68b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffb4d-8ea9-748e-a057-61f8ced7a68b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7101-9db9-264b3e18cad2" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-736c-9c10-5dfec015d07b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7101-9db9-264b3e18cad2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_019ffb4d-8ea9-72bb-855a-24a240773e17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a5a-9cf3-3f4b96b65e27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/BASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#BASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/BASISOFPRESENTATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e14-bebe-198babf87d4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e14-bebe-198babf87d4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e14-bebe-198babf87d4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e28-88e8-b98e36bba5d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-72da-8184-54918929bc80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e28-88e8-b98e36bba5d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-70c5-b790-bb2077b88bb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e28-88e8-b98e36bba5d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-70c5-b790-bb2077b88bb2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e14-bebe-198babf87d4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7577-ad42-af531f51e072" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7687-b40e-db22f3c90c26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7577-ad42-af531f51e072" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-75d2-ad15-960b40de8f91" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7577-ad42-af531f51e072" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-75d2-ad15-960b40de8f91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13" 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_ScheduleOfProductInformationTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e14-bebe-198babf87d4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13_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_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a784-5b7b-73cb-99af-eb2ae85b0560" 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_01a1a784-5b7b-7409-b167-94daefc7cc13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a784-5b7b-73cb-99af-eb2ae85b0560" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a784-5b7b-7d83-afd9-6509c0e35ab9" 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_01a1a784-5b7b-73cb-99af-eb2ae85b0560" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a784-5b7b-7d83-afd9-6509c0e35ab9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ebb-a3c7-4450da549c69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ebb-a3c7-4450da549c69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-715e-9a9b-9a249c88070b" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-715e-9a9b-9a249c88070b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7921-a1aa-806f70d403c2" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7921-a1aa-806f70d403c2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a784-5b7b-7ce2-b5da-ac451a6cbcd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a784-5b7b-7ce2-b5da-ac451a6cbcd6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_019ffb4d-8ea9-723a-8986-4ac830b0d93c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherReceivables_019ffb4d-8ea9-723a-8986-4ac830b0d93c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CostOfRevenueAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-740c-a074-080e9a6ae441" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CostOfRevenueAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d3b-ad3c-96b782ca76f5" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CostOfRevenueAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-740c-a074-080e9a6ae441" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee6-bef9-ed0e47066188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee6-bef9-ed0e47066188" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77ba-878d-7751be94a299" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77ba-878d-7751be94a299" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7422-809d-0c7195240c4e" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7422-809d-0c7195240c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf_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_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" 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_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a54d-b73d-7377-a07b-bd1923e1005a" 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_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a54d-b73d-7377-a07b-bd1923e1005a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-71cc-8fb4-f78c70caf980" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-71cc-8fb4-f78c70caf980" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b9-b28f-55739774b3fe" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b9-b28f-55739774b3fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7309-a1c5-492d4920db98" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7309-a1c5-492d4920db98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7370-9a73-e5f23c5855e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7370-9a73-e5f23c5855e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts_019ffb4d-8ea9-7402-9a92-18eb7e42f255" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts_019ffb4d-8ea9-7402-9a92-18eb7e42f255" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a54c-a59d-7a87-9f3a-5245ce6dfb10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a54c-a59d-7a87-9f3a-5245ce6dfb10" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75c0-9882-32cdb431d71a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee6-bef9-ed0e47066188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-769e-a017-fd070b9649e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee6-bef9-ed0e47066188" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7855-a9c5-19b0d2acf826" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77ba-878d-7751be94a299" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78a8-a6c8-c5957eab2338" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77ba-878d-7751be94a299" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" 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_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d1c-a0dd-eb09ce8f9e24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf_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_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" 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_01a1a54d-a021-7c94-9ff7-e45f44f6f8cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a54d-b73d-7377-a07b-bd1923e1005a" 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_01a1a54d-a021-72da-8e7c-3ea9845c050b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a1a54d-b73d-7377-a07b-bd1923e1005a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-71cc-8fb4-f78c70caf980" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration_019ffb4d-8ea9-71cc-8fb4-f78c70caf980" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b9-b28f-55739774b3fe" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationEarnout_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b9-b28f-55739774b3fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7309-a1c5-492d4920db98" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationContingentConsiderationPerformancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7309-a1c5-492d4920db98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7370-9a73-e5f23c5855e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7370-9a73-e5f23c5855e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts_019ffb4d-8ea9-7402-9a92-18eb7e42f255" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CorporateOverheadCostsAndSegmentCosts_019ffb4d-8ea9-7402-9a92-18eb7e42f255" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a54c-a59d-7a87-9f3a-5245ce6dfb10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-71be-9921-81266671875c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a54c-a59d-7a87-9f3a-5245ce6dfb10" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofIncomefromDiscontinuedOperationsNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofIncomefromDiscontinuedOperationsNetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofIncomefromDiscontinuedOperationsNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7661-ab58-fe9c63fb8dea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7661-ab58-fe9c63fb8dea" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7661-ab58-fe9c63fb8dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-77fe-bb64-fed0f346d7ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-94f3-80e5f05174a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-77fe-bb64-fed0f346d7ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-753a-b970-f3f8a1b32d99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-77fe-bb64-fed0f346d7ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-753a-b970-f3f8a1b32d99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7661-ab58-fe9c63fb8dea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b4b-8777-e2c311093084" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-758a-b4e9-6d14ccc48801" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b4b-8777-e2c311093084" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-72df-a74f-26d40020f779" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b4b-8777-e2c311093084" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-72df-a74f-26d40020f779" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c43-9981-8c3e798027fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c43-9981-8c3e798027fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_019ffb4d-8ea9-74e2-a192-3aa7c97cb565" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_019ffb4d-8ea9-74e2-a192-3aa7c97cb565" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a4a-ba2e-536b0aa01ee6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a4a-ba2e-536b0aa01ee6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestIncome_019ffb4d-8ea9-721c-87c5-2e62f6466af8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInterestIncome_019ffb4d-8ea9-721c-87c5-2e62f6466af8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6f-be0c-64993dcb01b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6f-be0c-64993dcb01b2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-765f-99f9-5acacc672446" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-765f-99f9-5acacc672446" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-7053-83f0-8f0ced3e652d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-7053-83f0-8f0ced3e652d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-771e-9008-a0d356d1e0a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7af4-bb44-912a74c59881" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_019ffb4d-8ea9-771e-9008-a0d356d1e0a3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofMajorClassesofAssetsandLiabilitiesOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofMajorClassesofAssetsandLiabilitiesOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ASSETSHELDFORSALEANDDISCONTINUEDOPERATIONSScheduleofMajorClassesofAssetsandLiabilitiesOfDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b51-a5c3-35486156e33a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cbe-8e1e-5f3ea32700e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b51-a5c3-35486156e33a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cbe-8e1e-5f3ea32700e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cbe-8e1e-5f3ea32700e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-773d-a061-3d700b1a6883" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7943-a6d6-a1e42f48cf3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-773d-a061-3d700b1a6883" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77e2-a18d-1cb19c0d6afd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-773d-a061-3d700b1a6883" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77e2-a18d-1cb19c0d6afd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cbe-8e1e-5f3ea32700e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-71e6-9f60-802cec417e4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d7-bfa4-93b1f78e192f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-71e6-9f60-802cec417e4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bb7-bb90-7d3f898e2581" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-71e6-9f60-802cec417e4c" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bb7-bb90-7d3f898e2581" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b51-a5c3-35486156e33a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCashAndCashEquivalents_019ffb4d-8ea9-787a-b48f-d1d121225b6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCashAndCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCashAndCashEquivalents_019ffb4d-8ea9-787a-b48f-d1d121225b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a68-a9e6-fe6448cdf31c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a68-a9e6-fe6448cdf31c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInventory1_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e54-8a69-6b39dfd975d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInventory1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInventory1_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e54-8a69-6b39dfd975d5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f45-ac69-bf302adde22a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPrepaidAndOtherAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f45-ac69-bf302adde22a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-702e-9324-7d71d5edfb04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b111-23cc4bf2405d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-702e-9324-7d71d5edfb04" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee2-9981-183009d00acf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ee2-9981-183009d00acf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7663-85a8-6ab4df3e5252" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOperatingLeaseAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7663-85a8-6ab4df3e5252" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-708a-b3bb-1b7d2537af1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-708a-b3bb-1b7d2537af1e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c2-a1fd-43756246ffa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c2-a1fd-43756246ffa9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7869-add4-2bf8dfd441c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7869-add4-2bf8dfd441c3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetsNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7732-b1c7-96c482fd8967" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetsNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetsNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7732-b1c7-96c482fd8967" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d4-be2b-143494bd42f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7299-b93c-58b1e075b35d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d4-be2b-143494bd42f5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b51-a5c3-35486156e33a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b85-9b75-09d020df65a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccountsPayable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b85-9b75-09d020df65a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-704e-ac04-ec53251f79f6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAccruedAndOtherCurrentLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-704e-ac04-ec53251f79f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7132-90a9-9adcd52e3e21" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7132-90a9-9adcd52e3e21" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-783e-900e-7410309a25b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLiabilitiesCurrentAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7821-94a2-198b651fd1a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-783e-900e-7410309a25b5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-73b5-b2ad-fd1903a4457a" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-73b5-b2ad-fd1903a4457a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-759f-b4a3-7a7138786fc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherNoncurrentLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-759f-b4a3-7a7138786fc3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-70ad-96d4-56c2fb0059d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-70ad-96d4-56c2fb0059d6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-7559-b9a9-43aaeae6257b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAbstract_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cdf-998d-ed9e1168e6a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesOfDisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperation_019ffb4d-8ea9-7559-b9a9-43aaeae6257b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ACQUISITIONAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ec-b654-407887d60183" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ec-b654-407887d60183" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db" 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_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ec-b654-407887d60183" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-709e-b7d5-35fcf1bbaf1b" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ecb-a264-fef2e5e3b3db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-709e-b7d5-35fcf1bbaf1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b1e-90e2-df4bedee7b90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-709e-b7d5-35fcf1bbaf1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b1e-90e2-df4bedee7b90" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ec-b654-407887d60183" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79f3-ba27-0af1333f7790" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7247-ac73-860f36018808" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7247-ac73-860f36018808" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7afa-98ef-9c252a6ae2c6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7afa-98ef-9c252a6ae2c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_MustoMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7102-9e44-6c10ebf203a1" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_MustoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:to="loc_ktb_MustoMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7102-9e44-6c10ebf203a1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenAndMustoMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-75fa-8251-a28b091663b8" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenAndMustoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70f5-aaff-a1664f429a55" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenAndMustoMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-75fa-8251-a28b091663b8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ec-b654-407887d60183" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bdf-9582-da46c08630c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-70a1-b97f-82adf6b5a6a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bdf-9582-da46c08630c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-799b-a07e-8ddc53a1f7d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bdf-9582-da46c08630c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-799b-a07e-8ddc53a1f7d8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ac1-bb17-49047d131799" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bdf-9582-da46c08630c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ac1-bb17-49047d131799" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-700f-b5fc-af428c95d83e" 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_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-700f-b5fc-af428c95d83e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-703f-a512-49b73b4e1cc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-703f-a512-49b73b4e1cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndOtherClosingAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-7270-91db-986963e3b6d2" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndOtherClosingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredWorkingCapitalAndOtherClosingAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-7270-91db-986963e3b6d2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e64-8157-2329782a65a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationRevenueOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e64-8157-2329782a65a6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_019ffb4d-8ea9-7551-8bec-0c87ad460307" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationProFormaInformationEarningsOrLossOfAcquireeSinceAcquisitionDateActual_019ffb4d-8ea9-7551-8bec-0c87ad460307" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b0b-b191-5733a96ad050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPeriodIncreaseDecrease_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b0b-b191-5733a96ad050" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d50-8444-f25de88bfe96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d50-8444-f25de88bfe96" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a51-85d6-68607cbb4210" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a51-85d6-68607cbb4210" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_019ffb4d-8ea9-71f0-a3ab-28371ebc670a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_019ffb4d-8ea9-71f0-a3ab-28371ebc670a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019ffb4d-8ea9-712d-9bf2-a820523170a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019ffb4d-8ea9-712d-9bf2-a820523170a9" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationAcquiredANoncontrollingFinancialInterestPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-709d-b6a2-9bab6781b95b" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationAcquiredANoncontrollingFinancialInterestPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationAcquiredANoncontrollingFinancialInterestPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-709d-b6a2-9bab6781b95b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedJointVenturesProfitsLossUnderEquityMethod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7243-873b-d29b7be1b647" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedJointVenturesProfitsLossUnderEquityMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7be4-9555-83cb35a6734d" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedJointVenturesProfitsLossUnderEquityMethod_019ffb4d-8ea9-7243-873b-d29b7be1b647" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationoftheEstimatedFairValuesofAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ACQUISITIONScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationoftheEstimatedFairValuesofAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONScheduleofPreliminaryPurchasePriceAllocationoftheEstimatedFairValuesofAssetsAcquiredandLiabilitiesAssumedDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-76e7-a3b1-71a82cd11763" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-76e7-a3b1-71a82cd11763" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-76e7-a3b1-71a82cd11763" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7252-b742-929b9197b15d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f9c-a705-e4b35ca9ec5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7252-b742-929b9197b15d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe4-8c9a-4e866ba10e61" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7252-b742-929b9197b15d" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe4-8c9a-4e866ba10e61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_019ffb4d-8ea9-77c9-8a75-9b1312f588a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_019ffb4d-8ea9-77c9-8a75-9b1312f588a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b3-bfb5-747b55107e34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b3-bfb5-747b55107e34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f1a-8ca0-88f7a193ceac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedInventory_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f1a-8ca0-88f7a193ceac" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fda-9a4b-1e57ad2abce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsPrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fda-9a4b-1e57ad2abce6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019ffb4d-8ea9-76cc-8fab-9c5dc048045a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment_019ffb4d-8ea9-76cc-8fab-9c5dc048045a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedAssetAcquiredOperatingLeaseAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7346-a231-602acb0fbb17" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedAssetAcquiredOperatingLeaseAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedAssetAcquiredOperatingLeaseAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7346-a231-602acb0fbb17" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-751e-91bf-8d0ec0a9b7a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-751e-91bf-8d0ec0a9b7a7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c7-b3b9-92f6b55c736f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-74c7-b3b9-92f6b55c736f" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-a675-702747ed8fc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-a675-702747ed8fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ba-af99-4056f58ffa10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-74ba-af99-4056f58ffa10" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7682-838a-cdf3f4e9c0b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesAccountsPayable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7682-838a-cdf3f4e9c0b4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e1f-addb-e0abe074d3a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentLiabilitiesOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e1f-addb-e0abe074d3a7" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7941-b4d4-02a109043c0e" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7941-b4d4-02a109043c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7115-94a7-4b031f58005e" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_ktb_BusinessCombinationRecognizedLiabilityAssumedOtherLiabilityOperatingLeaseLiabilitiesNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7115-94a7-4b031f58005e" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b01-a5ec-b926a76d04e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b01-a5ec-b926a76d04e2" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-700c-87eb-8aa5a7da4aea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-700c-87eb-8aa5a7da4aea" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e2f-a90e-a3fadb16ee8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e2f-a90e-a3fadb16ee8d" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7569-a4a3-c09394b1ac64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7569-a4a3-c09394b1ac64" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cf7-b4b5-c92d7e9e15e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cf7-b4b5-c92d7e9e15e3" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-78c6-9221-4fba2d967f1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7955-9494-a21c03094d0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredGoodwillAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-78c6-9221-4fba2d967f1b" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONScheduleofUnauditedProFormaResultsofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ACQUISITIONScheduleofUnauditedProFormaResultsofOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/ACQUISITIONScheduleofUnauditedProFormaResultsofOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74d9-a31d-8de9002c16ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74d9-a31d-8de9002c16ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-74d9-a31d-8de9002c16ce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7975-b55e-7ef4276ceee9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-730e-8130-bad92efe2b94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7975-b55e-7ef4276ceee9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77fb-a5f4-db1cc646ac73" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7975-b55e-7ef4276ceee9" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-77fb-a5f4-db1cc646ac73" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b6f-9cec-57c01867bc34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaRevenue_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b6f-9cec-57c01867bc34" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-7906-87c7-fcc794fdfd5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionsProFormaIncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeChangesInAccountingAndExtraordinaryItemsNetOfTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-7906-87c7-fcc794fdfd5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic_019ffb4d-8ea9-7307-b276-c7bab95a4d3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareBasic_019ffb4d-8ea9-7307-b276-c7bab95a4d3f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted_019ffb4d-8ea9-7992-86fa-2228a792365e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaInformationNonrecurringAdjustmentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fe2-a022-337e61002042" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionProFormaEarningsPerShareDiluted_019ffb4d-8ea9-7992-86fa-2228a792365e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/REVENUESScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#REVENUESScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/REVENUESScheduleofDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db7-8b37-3661ba138952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db7-8b37-3661ba138952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d7-b4f0-4212b9fa8e0f" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa8-8269-210a2c337960" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d7-b4f0-4212b9fa8e0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7519-aa25-54fb2619f620" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d7-b4f0-4212b9fa8e0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7519-aa25-54fb2619f620" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-a4f2-6ddf7221a4dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d7-b4f0-4212b9fa8e0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-749e-a4f2-6ddf7221a4dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72b1-baa5-efa41c3a9323" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b5a-9db8-165006fa4aec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72b1-baa5-efa41c3a9323" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c29-a0fa-806091dc3adf" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_WranglerSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72b1-baa5-efa41c3a9323" xlink:to="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c29-a0fa-806091dc3adf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d2f-8faf-6c0efb3975f6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72b1-baa5-efa41c3a9323" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d2f-8faf-6c0efb3975f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78f5-8a8c-936bd4ca7ee4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c99-8af6-8f56d3137390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78f5-8a8c-936bd4ca7ee4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesChannelThroughIntermediaryMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7261-ae45-4349a0aeaa71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SalesChannelThroughIntermediaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78f5-8a8c-936bd4ca7ee4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesChannelThroughIntermediaryMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7261-ae45-4349a0aeaa71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesChannelDirectlyToConsumerMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7df6-9581-27eab399877c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SalesChannelDirectlyToConsumerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78f5-8a8c-936bd4ca7ee4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesChannelDirectlyToConsumerMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7df6-9581-27eab399877c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-796f-b657-a9cb78b02ca4" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7341-89cb-014b49c569df" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-704f-9c54-7a9ea59d097d" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7341-89cb-014b49c569df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fbe-8bdc-053b84746f22" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7341-89cb-014b49c569df" xlink:to="loc_country_US_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fbe-8bdc-053b84746f22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7059-a617-38716e5588e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7341-89cb-014b49c569df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7059-a617-38716e5588e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-767a-a706-6617d292cadd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db7-8b37-3661ba138952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-767a-a706-6617d292cadd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/BUSINESSSEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofFinancialInformationforReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#BUSINESSSEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofFinancialInformationforReportableSegmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/BUSINESSSEGMENTINFORMATIONScheduleofFinancialInformationforReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ec8-875d-482a28b82fd2" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ec8-875d-482a28b82fd2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ec8-875d-482a28b82fd2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7826-9e5b-4204e1316927" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b68-a537-1bbeb38d4446" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7826-9e5b-4204e1316927" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7269-bb2f-7bb7a09264f5" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7826-9e5b-4204e1316927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7269-bb2f-7bb7a09264f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c36-abbd-400f926e3c62" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7826-9e5b-4204e1316927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c36-abbd-400f926e3c62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7684-a3b4-af65634fadb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7826-9e5b-4204e1316927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7684-a3b4-af65634fadb1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ec8-875d-482a28b82fd2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bcb-871a-abac69453dfe" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7049-a979-b6d5b3359113" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bcb-871a-abac69453dfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-715d-81cb-117c8dd4eb05" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_WranglerSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bcb-871a-abac69453dfe" xlink:to="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-715d-81cb-117c8dd4eb05" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b04-85de-d5d92ea1a56a" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bcb-871a-abac69453dfe" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b04-85de-d5d92ea1a56a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d47-83ed-77018fa97cc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d47-83ed-77018fa97cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffb4d-8ea9-708f-b991-9d59a2462d53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffb4d-8ea9-708f-b991-9d59a2462d53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffb4d-8ea9-72a2-bacd-20718de8b416" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_019ffb4d-8ea9-72a2-bacd-20718de8b416" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8e-9e0a-8dac9f27a992" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8e-9e0a-8dac9f27a992" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d18-9a5d-f0af7c89c061" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d18-9a5d-f0af7c89c061" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e1f-9f55-9db21de01bf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e1f-9f55-9db21de01bf4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019ffb4d-8ea9-7928-8d76-d5ce686543d0" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseNonoperating_019ffb4d-8ea9-7928-8d76-d5ce686543d0" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-7899-8023-9c758847fd2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeOther_019ffb4d-8ea9-7899-8023-9c758847fd2b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffb4d-8ea9-7700-b175-f2c6f663c989" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fc1-877b-2ad5ca180aa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffb4d-8ea9-7700-b175-f2c6f663c989" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7944-be2f-b02107540a14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7944-be2f-b02107540a14" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7944-be2f-b02107540a14" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7392-9e2d-4925e50b83ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7910-bb31-e4c759e194b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7392-9e2d-4925e50b83ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-715d-af74-6cd20509a988" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7392-9e2d-4925e50b83ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-715d-af74-6cd20509a988" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7549-bd04-d4662187d789" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7392-9e2d-4925e50b83ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7549-bd04-d4662187d789" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ea7-a8c6-aa276b79940f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ea7-a8c6-aa276b79940f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-756b-8b1b-bb43c108f87d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-756b-8b1b-bb43c108f87d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e9f-bb38-3deaaab01585" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e9f-bb38-3deaaab01585" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7928-9dbd-2fec904fb291" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_019ffb4d-8ea9-7928-9dbd-2fec904fb291" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_019ffb4d-8ea9-7473-a30b-3d5b01fb3164" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_019ffb4d-8ea9-7473-a30b-3d5b01fb3164" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6f-a648-c5857edadb59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b6-989d-7fb3da6c98b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6f-a648-c5857edadb59" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b3-9448-400dbdd32afe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-77b8-a315-840cf4f54635" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b3-9448-400dbdd32afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-77b8-a315-840cf4f54635" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-77b8-a315-840cf4f54635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-746d-bee0-58825c09dc60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-700e-abe5-3416582daad2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-746d-bee0-58825c09dc60" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_RockAndRepublicMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7288-9af3-8cea5b5283a9" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_RockAndRepublicMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-746d-bee0-58825c09dc60" xlink:to="loc_ktb_RockAndRepublicMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7288-9af3-8cea5b5283a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-77b8-a315-840cf4f54635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7668-bdeb-1f5cf56c70b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ef1-8ee8-146fba472b13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7668-bdeb-1f5cf56c70b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b66-8886-51b6bb1238a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_TrademarksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7668-bdeb-1f5cf56c70b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TrademarksMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b66-8886-51b6bb1238a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-76db-9c73-67d6997fa812" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-74b3-9448-400dbdd32afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8ea9-76db-9c73-67d6997fa812" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofChangesinGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofChangesinGoodwillDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/INTANGIBLEASSETSANDGOODWILLScheduleofChangesinGoodwillDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7465-be96-57eb4331edd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7722-9431-b81c8f03ff1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7465-be96-57eb4331edd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7722-9431-b81c8f03ff1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0" 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_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7722-9431-b81c8f03ff1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72d0-91ec-ec284826eaef" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7929-986b-e698167fffd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72d0-91ec-ec284826eaef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-766f-bab0-d1dd0f5af5a9" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_WranglerSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72d0-91ec-ec284826eaef" xlink:to="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-766f-bab0-d1dd0f5af5a9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d5-9745-75d939a2da92" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72d0-91ec-ec284826eaef" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-76d5-9745-75d939a2da92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ba8-8363-bcdcafdfc955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-72d0-91ec-ec284826eaef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ba8-8363-bcdcafdfc955" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-73a0-83fd-c76c8d6a529a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7465-be96-57eb4331edd6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-73a0-83fd-c76c8d6a529a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7353-84e0-a1c0bc86a1a5" 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_GoodwillRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-73a0-83fd-c76c8d6a529a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7353-84e0-a1c0bc86a1a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e74-a89b-13566329d6b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-73a0-83fd-c76c8d6a529a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e74-a89b-13566329d6b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-7833-b6b3-4d99cf1eaeb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_019ffb4d-8ea9-73a0-83fd-c76c8d6a529a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_019ffb4d-8ea9-7833-b6b3-4d99cf1eaeb5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b56-a38b-fb73268ad3bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7218-9728-c4ac7cc74023" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7583-91b3-7579980d4925" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7218-9728-c4ac7cc74023" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7452-bda0-5a7b334bd853" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7218-9728-c4ac7cc74023" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignLineOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7452-bda0-5a7b334bd853" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7f5a-ab6e-96b3a07f9bb5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a3e-99e1-85bee0305a14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a3e-99e1-85bee0305a14" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b9-a37c-9fe698f4ab6d" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-79b9-a37c-9fe698f4ab6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7202-8773-e54a93137a11" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7202-8773-e54a93137a11" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c45-9b33-c25235de5fe5" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c45-9b33-c25235de5fe5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e45-93fe-d7cd0ce6bb14" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74f6-949e-fab7f95b2baf" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e45-93fe-d7cd0ce6bb14" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e8b-87fd-e795deddda2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7937-86ba-7dfee54dd90c" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7937-86ba-7dfee54dd90c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025InitialTermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7304-be0e-8942f1f0e1d2" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025InitialTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025InitialTermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7304-be0e-8942f1f0e1d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DelayedDrawTermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6d-a908-d5231126c850" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DelayedDrawTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DelayedDrawTermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a6d-a908-d5231126c850" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7932-8d53-1b927bb76c87" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7932-8d53-1b927bb76c87" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7315-a37c-e4d80481cae8" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2025RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7315-a37c-e4d80481cae8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TheTermLoanAMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-748c-ac04-72f04b846ab3" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TheTermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TheTermLoanAMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-748c-ac04-72f04b846ab3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ac7-b90b-665ac2fa822e" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ac7-b90b-665ac2fa822e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b3c-9c35-4698a45c7a69" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-74fe-9667-7056552d3db8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7b3c-9c35-4698a45c7a69" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-78b6-bd47-d8c690063073" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-768f-bddb-c8d52b7c7fcd" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-768f-bddb-c8d52b7c7fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c5b-95ec-b81e7d8bfd8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c5b-95ec-b81e7d8bfd8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7665-8461-4501c1adc233" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7665-8461-4501c1adc233" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7160-a1da-9e5bfb6b8fcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7160-a1da-9e5bfb6b8fcc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-71d3-a298-d1ce4db55f7d" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-73f7-a8e9-c7f9621641ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-71d3-a298-d1ce4db55f7d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fd5-9e1f-62d816474fb9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7253-984a-005601f7ad9b" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7406-8fec-f4096eefe3ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7253-984a-005601f7ad9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-729b-aa92-8eb1d65f0f0c" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7253-984a-005601f7ad9b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-729b-aa92-8eb1d65f0f0c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cf0-9a5e-a64a20341f88" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7253-984a-005601f7ad9b" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7cf0-9a5e-a64a20341f88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a2c-8d9a-83f268e06e6e" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7a2c-8d9a-83f268e06e6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_019ffb4d-8ea9-777f-a35b-fd374ac4e9ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings_019ffb4d-8ea9-777f-a35b-fd374ac4e9ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019ffb4d-8ea9-700f-a50d-972873691ba3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_019ffb4d-8ea9-700f-a50d-972873691ba3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7efd-8751-ee866cab2dab" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7efd-8751-ee866cab2dab" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7507-be96-e2de73a23bcc" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_019ffb4d-8ea9-7507-be96-e2de73a23bcc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8ea9-74a9-9a21-1d4ab163c6c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8ea9-74a9-9a21-1d4ab163c6c5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-7896-9ee9-9666f5a21393" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_019ffb4d-8ea9-7896-9ee9-9666f5a21393" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7468-b589-c7902a267523" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_019ffb4d-8ea9-7468-b589-c7902a267523" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-760f-b15f-d943398d89de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-760f-b15f-d943398d89de" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_019ffb4d-8ea9-74cc-be79-f2ec9e18cfe8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_019ffb4d-8ea9-74cc-be79-f2ec9e18cfe8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bfe-8598-1bddebe3b665" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_019ffb4d-8ea9-7bfe-8598-1bddebe3b665" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-722a-82bb-b9ab55323f23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-722a-82bb-b9ab55323f23" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatio_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e07-9689-6d408c71acbc" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatio_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e07-9689-6d408c71acbc" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioNumberOfElectionsToIncreaseTheLimit_019ffb4d-8ea9-7571-851f-211af7c783a3" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioNumberOfElectionsToIncreaseTheLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioNumberOfElectionsToIncreaseTheLimit_019ffb4d-8ea9-7571-851f-211af7c783a3" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioLimitIncrease_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d53-a278-1a8181e88665" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioLimitIncrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentLeverageRatioLimitIncrease_019ffb4d-8ea9-7d53-a278-1a8181e88665" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentInterestCoverageRatio_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ce-89fd-603d2d824e28" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentInterestCoverageRatio_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ce-89fd-603d2d824e28" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-771d-bd97-4cd8313f9583" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriod_019ffb4d-8ea9-771d-bd97-4cd8313f9583" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c0a-843a-cfd259ba42b5" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c0a-843a-cfd259ba42b5" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentAssetDispositionProceedsReinvestmentPeriod_01a19bb9-b354-7433-b797-6588521283ac" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DebtInstrumentAssetDispositionProceedsReinvestmentPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DebtInstrumentAssetDispositionProceedsReinvestmentPeriod_01a19bb9-b354-7433-b797-6588521283ac" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_01a16310-ae09-7731-9ec1-ef96cf007752" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-7ae3-a837-24bbc3c127e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_01a16310-ae09-7731-9ec1-ef96cf007752" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SHORTTERMBORROWINGSANDLONGTERMDEBTScheduleofLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d4-9cd8-21e5e267a45b" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d4-9cd8-21e5e267a45b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d4-9cd8-21e5e267a45b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7265-a1a5-c39f0b2d8f56" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7db0-a934-f3391c25ac5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7265-a1a5-c39f0b2d8f56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa6-b815-2c937b9b272e" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7265-a1a5-c39f0b2d8f56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7fa6-b815-2c937b9b272e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7042-a350-127ade78cdce" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-7265-a1a5-c39f0b2d8f56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-7042-a350-127ade78cdce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d4-9cd8-21e5e267a45b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-b44e-a570ae94b758" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-75ec-9d79-2128958325ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-b44e-a570ae94b758" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e9a-beb5-b521f2238cbf" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-b44e-a570ae94b758" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TermLoanA1Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7e9a-beb5-b521f2238cbf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7305-b24b-cb01ada75362" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TermLoanA2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-7c83-b44e-a570ae94b758" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TermLoanA2Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7305-b24b-cb01ada75362" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79d4-9cd8-21e5e267a45b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c_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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79af-b925-fbccf915a7ae" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-79e1-830e-374c33f0fd1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79af-b925-fbccf915a7ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_TermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-733b-9e96-f361e95e30f6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79af-b925-fbccf915a7ae" xlink:to="loc_ktb_TermLoanMember_019ffb4d-8ea9-733b-9e96-f361e95e30f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7538-bf32-b0f13e34b5cd" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_019ffb4d-8ea9-79af-b925-fbccf915a7ae" xlink:to="loc_ktb_A4125SeniorNotesDue2029Member_019ffb4d-8ea9-7538-bf32-b0f13e34b5cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-7adc-b899-745a9c1b0b63" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_019ffb4d-8ea9-7adc-b899-745a9c1b0b63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8ea9-7048-9c5d-49967d1aee18" 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_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8ea9-7048-9c5d-49967d1aee18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-78dd-a5be-da9217841806" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-78dd-a5be-da9217841806" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7185-ba5c-82319d326511" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_019ffb4d-8ea9-726a-8968-34b5a6af6575" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_019ffb4d-8ea9-7185-ba5c-82319d326511" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofClassesofFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredandRecordedatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofClassesofFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredandRecordedatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSScheduleofClassesofFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesMeasuredandRecordedatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71db-9338-4087791aeeaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7814-b905-a37f9bb5234e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71db-9338-4087791aeeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7814-b905-a37f9bb5234e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7814-b905-a37f9bb5234e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f8f-b238-04336921a507" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7498-b1ae-c039cf155987" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f8f-b238-04336921a507" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c9a-b4e7-13b1b31d2148" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f8f-b238-04336921a507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c9a-b4e7-13b1b31d2148" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72d1-95c1-4ca2e5922be7" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f8f-b238-04336921a507" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72d1-95c1-4ca2e5922be7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7814-b905-a37f9bb5234e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-71cf-a585-12d21e129a68" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-700f-80f5-8d17fc14ec9d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-71cf-a585-12d21e129a68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-77c4-ac94-eaefc1042127" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71cf-a585-12d21e129a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-77c4-ac94-eaefc1042127" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f70-aeba-a856ab2a7dce" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71cf-a585-12d21e129a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f70-aeba-a856ab2a7dce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7abc-ad9e-51a3bee9c9e1" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71cf-a585-12d21e129a68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7abc-ad9e-51a3bee9c9e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7814-b905-a37f9bb5234e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-714b-a044-8d263beb93f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-749c-bb84-2275519b6d9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-714b-a044-8d263beb93f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a6e-86df-252bb7911948" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-714b-a044-8d263beb93f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a6e-86df-252bb7911948" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a06-b287-af4d998f82c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-714b-a044-8d263beb93f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BankTimeDepositsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a06-b287-af4d998f82c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-74d3-be67-a9058431d134" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71db-9338-4087791aeeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-74d3-be67-a9058431d134" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c29-868b-31f19e7e4d44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-74d3-be67-a9058431d134" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c29-868b-31f19e7e4d44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_019ffb4d-8eaa-73ef-9e09-95130e642cba" 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_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c29-868b-31f19e7e4d44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_019ffb4d-8eaa-73ef-9e09-95130e642cba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fa9-a294-5ed03e10fd04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-74d3-be67-a9058431d134" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fa9-a294-5ed03e10fd04" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019ffb4d-8eaa-7735-b6d3-fdfe770cec19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-74d3-be67-a9058431d134" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_019ffb4d-8eaa-7735-b6d3-fdfe770cec19" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-76d5-9b8e-2392a8b37e01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71db-9338-4087791aeeaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-76d5-9b8e-2392a8b37e01" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c90-baf4-f9db0448e4fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-76d5-9b8e-2392a8b37e01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c90-baf4-f9db0448e4fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DeferredCompensationLiabilityAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f25-99a8-7275960f7a5e" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DeferredCompensationLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-76d5-9b8e-2392a8b37e01" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DeferredCompensationLiabilityAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f25-99a8-7275960f7a5e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a8d-ad8f-845535a23e93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a8d-ad8f-845535a23e93" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a8d-ad8f-845535a23e93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-73e2-925d-2cc3b9d16a13" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-780d-aa8c-a04ca1756497" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-73e2-925d-2cc3b9d16a13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bfc-a24a-0482a8ebc470" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-73e2-925d-2cc3b9d16a13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bfc-a24a-0482a8ebc470" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a8d-ad8f-845535a23e93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e23-9bfc-75a108a0539e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-762b-8ca9-9058c424ab8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e23-9bfc-75a108a0539e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7768-85dc-efe16f167523" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e23-9bfc-75a108a0539e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7768-85dc-efe16f167523" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a8d-ad8f-845535a23e93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a6d-bc36-ae50f18ea137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-73f8-8f43-8ccf4e215541" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a6d-bc36-ae50f18ea137" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-77f5-ba57-441515771428" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a6d-bc36-ae50f18ea137" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-77f5-ba57-441515771428" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8eaa-74a4-aff2-81a3a38ff7d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_019ffb4d-8eaa-74a4-aff2-81a3a38ff7d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-72c1-bc75-d1043982e16f" 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_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-72c1-bc75-d1043982e16f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a19-9554-b5008fb28979" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGoodwill1_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a19-9554-b5008fb28979" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fc5-8c5d-f7f41582b719" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationIntangibleAssets_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fc5-8c5d-f7f41582b719" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019ffb4d-8eaa-7420-9d72-01c447fcf48a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_019ffb4d-8eaa-7420-9d72-01c447fcf48a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c56-8c40-adc81b6f1840" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7248-b46f-71a3c79a3ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsIndefinitelivedExcludingGoodwill_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c56-8c40-adc81b6f1840" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e77-b56a-2642c50ff000" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7645-bfb6-1e7465ce9c8f" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e77-b56a-2642c50ff000" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7645-bfb6-1e7465ce9c8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7645-bfb6-1e7465ce9c8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ab4-bccd-7f50488e82fc" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bdf-ace2-b26fbe14d219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ab4-bccd-7f50488e82fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-753a-8177-0fd78ec50f0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ab4-bccd-7f50488e82fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-753a-8177-0fd78ec50f0f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7826-8299-eb037b8ac790" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ab4-bccd-7f50488e82fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7826-8299-eb037b8ac790" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7645-bfb6-1e7465ce9c8f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bb6-baa7-26d83a57cce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dd2-b6ff-c43829f4d24c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bb6-baa7-26d83a57cce6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-724a-ac15-8662e3fbb69c" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7bb6-baa7-26d83a57cce6" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CTCTriangleB.VMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-724a-ac15-8662e3fbb69c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ad0-95d3-161ea4273fe9" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e77-b56a-2642c50ff000" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ad0-95d3-161ea4273fe9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7055-9092-a00452880526" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e77-b56a-2642c50ff000" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7055-9092-a00452880526" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_ForeignCurrencyAndInterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLosstobeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months_019ffb4d-8eaa-7afd-a81d-dd737394f675" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_ForeignCurrencyAndInterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLosstobeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e77-b56a-2642c50ff000" xlink:to="loc_ktb_ForeignCurrencyAndInterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLosstobeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months_019ffb4d-8eaa-7afd-a81d-dd737394f675" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofOutstandingDerivativesonanIndividualContractBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofOutstandingDerivativesonanIndividualContractBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofOutstandingDerivativesonanIndividualContractBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71d6-a763-8b563c88fd20" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77a4-8979-e987379c1590" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71d6-a763-8b563c88fd20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-77a4-8979-e987379c1590" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77a4-8979-e987379c1590" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7109-a87f-bb881ef3eb54" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77b9-ad86-4ba7f6eef6c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7109-a87f-bb881ef3eb54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7cae-b7ad-41f63a93df40" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7109-a87f-bb881ef3eb54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7cae-b7ad-41f63a93df40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-788b-b394-8cca2dfea4e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NondesignatedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7109-a87f-bb881ef3eb54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NondesignatedMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-788b-b394-8cca2dfea4e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77a4-8979-e987379c1590" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c86-bb3c-fc339d2c2dca" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d29-b9ac-444c2b2239c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c86-bb3c-fc339d2c2dca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7de5-a266-ef45d8301fdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c86-bb3c-fc339d2c2dca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7de5-a266-ef45d8301fdf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-748e-abd2-acbffb5bbb35" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c86-bb3c-fc339d2c2dca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-748e-abd2-acbffb5bbb35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7090-af2c-3c9976a33e35" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71d6-a763-8b563c88fd20" xlink:to="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7090-af2c-3c9976a33e35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7397-9b9e-27701e18c8ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7090-af2c-3c9976a33e35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossAssetIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7397-9b9e-27701e18c8ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-726c-a00f-1e58138d765d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7090-af2c-3c9976a33e35" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsAssetAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-726c-a00f-1e58138d765d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d14-9812-064d550d3bb0" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedGainsAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7090-af2c-3c9976a33e35" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DerivativeAssetFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d14-9812-064d550d3bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7146-bf19-16bc3afe1c38" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-71d6-a763-8b563c88fd20" xlink:to="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7146-bf19-16bc3afe1c38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7709-9501-533b42a37123" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7146-bf19-16bc3afe1c38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossLiabilityIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7709-9501-533b42a37123" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-73c1-b51d-d3d86dafd2e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7146-bf19-16bc3afe1c38" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyDerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsLiabilityAtFairValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-73c1-b51d-d3d86dafd2e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b81-9451-a8cfa04b1caa" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ktb_FairValueofDerivativeswithUnrealizedLossesAbstract_019ffb4d-8eaa-7146-bf19-16bc3afe1c38" xlink:to="loc_ktb_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateralIncludingNotSubjectToMasterNettingArrangement_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b81-9451-a8cfa04b1caa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-a0fd-c9bd7e0a3eb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-a0fd-c9bd7e0a3eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7705-8a87-4f713251836c" 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_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-a0fd-c9bd7e0a3eb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfFinancialPositionLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7705-8a87-4f713251836c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7aac-add2-1d5ce1df4ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7aac-add2-1d5ce1df4ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-749d-9a97-de6487bb40db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-749d-9a97-de6487bb40db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofDerivativeintheBalanceSheetswithCurrentandNoncurrentClassificationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-a0fd-c9bd7e0a3eb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-a0fd-c9bd7e0a3eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7aac-add2-1d5ce1df4ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_019ffb4d-8eaa-7aac-add2-1d5ce1df4ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-749d-9a97-de6487bb40db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72a5-aa50-15c23efba472" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_019ffb4d-8eaa-749d-9a97-de6487bb40db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofCashFlowHedgesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofCashFlowHedgesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofCashFlowHedgesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a02-8264-30d22a0f77b1" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71ec-8626-a3ee9a3bfb81" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a02-8264-30d22a0f77b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-71ec-8626-a3ee9a3bfb81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71ec-8626-a3ee9a3bfb81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c27-9d50-c4a15c569097" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-722c-800d-6bb63592c03e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c27-9d50-c4a15c569097" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72e5-acad-0e9cc786bcc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c27-9d50-c4a15c569097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72e5-acad-0e9cc786bcc9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fec-a7d0-a4161b698620" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c27-9d50-c4a15c569097" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fec-a7d0-a4161b698620" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f04-bdb8-adbefda0e5ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a02-8264-30d22a0f77b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f04-bdb8-adbefda0e5ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0f-b87c-1f34f6a56812" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0f-b87c-1f34f6a56812" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d3a-aeea-6fd408f3f155" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0f-b87c-1f34f6a56812" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d3a-aeea-6fd408f3f155" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79bb-ac0b-a00d05e947ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79bb-ac0b-a00d05e947ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofLocationofGainLossDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0f-b87c-1f34f6a56812" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0f-b87c-1f34f6a56812" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79bb-ac0b-a00d05e947ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7537-a74f-5b9c7122e680" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79bb-ac0b-a00d05e947ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7668-b14e-97e8247cc04e" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7668-b14e-97e8247cc04e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e95-a532-bd5f26405728" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7668-b14e-97e8247cc04e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7e95-a532-bd5f26405728" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019ffb4d-8eaa-73b8-bd15-10443e5a0b73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019ffb4d-8eaa-73b8-bd15-10443e5a0b73" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/DERIVATIVEFINANCIALINSTRUMENTSANDHEDGINGACTIVITIESScheduleofDerivativesNotDesignatedasHedgesDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7668-b14e-97e8247cc04e" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7668-b14e-97e8247cc04e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019ffb4d-8eaa-73b8-bd15-10443e5a0b73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-72f3-959f-89377de273e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet_019ffb4d-8eaa-73b8-bd15-10443e5a0b73" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71dd-9f25-af11e66887d4" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-71dd-9f25-af11e66887d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-71dd-9f25-af11e66887d4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70cf-847f-8a3d0f0ff8a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7250-8b62-96115f5df9d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70cf-847f-8a3d0f0ff8a8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2023RepurchaseProgramMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7740-9c53-799e4fb291e4" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2023RepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70cf-847f-8a3d0f0ff8a8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2023RepurchaseProgramMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7740-9c53-799e4fb291e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7daf-9763-d5d2cb370b1a" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70cf-847f-8a3d0f0ff8a8" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7daf-9763-d5d2cb370b1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71dd-9f25-af11e66887d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7117-bde4-9dafe251973e" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a72-9a94-f24fdc6e623c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7117-bde4-9dafe251973e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7817-92da-c8fe152c75ea" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7117-bde4-9dafe251973e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7817-92da-c8fe152c75ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a83-901e-fba07119c627" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a83-901e-fba07119c627" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffb4d-8eaa-733f-8247-e7e5df20d621" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_019ffb4d-8eaa-733f-8247-e7e5df20d621" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-740c-b342-3d98c0873d5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_019ffb4d-8eaa-740c-b342-3d98c0873d5d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019ffb4d-8eaa-739d-9655-42f5152058e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b09-a515-7d61868e07d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_019ffb4d-8eaa-739d-9655-42f5152058e7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofDeferredComponentsofAOCLinEquityNetofRelatedTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofDeferredComponentsofAOCLinEquityNetofRelatedTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofDeferredComponentsofAOCLinEquityNetofRelatedTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7970-b871-4843bc211d5a" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-702a-8c1b-19b315c6810a" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7970-b871-4843bc211d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-702a-8c1b-19b315c6810a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-702a-8c1b-19b315c6810a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7865-8274-599da62e70ef" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7856-8645-70169e33c049" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7865-8274-599da62e70ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9fb8-af4b2e8f4619" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7865-8274-599da62e70ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9fb8-af4b2e8f4619" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7315-8f46-878dca4485fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9fb8-af4b2e8f4619" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7315-8f46-878dca4485fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-76b0-bba0-f284f24199c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9fb8-af4b2e8f4619" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-76b0-bba0-f284f24199c5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-77f2-889a-0ffd4bb3d261" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9fb8-af4b2e8f4619" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-77f2-889a-0ffd4bb3d261" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b82-853b-642fad5e300e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7970-b871-4843bc211d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b82-853b-642fad5e300e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofChangesinAOCLNetofRelatedTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofChangesinAOCLNetofRelatedTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofChangesinAOCLNetofRelatedTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7817-ac37-bcb18aeb3141" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7287-b3eb-a01e86e996e7" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7817-ac37-bcb18aeb3141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7287-b3eb-a01e86e996e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7287-b3eb-a01e86e996e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70ca-946d-0deee2460219" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-7226-9ac2-340a6412603b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-70ca-946d-0deee2460219" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-79d9-95ef-71af86c47417" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-70ca-946d-0deee2460219" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-79d9-95ef-71af86c47417" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72d4-bfcd-f61c61d04681" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-79d9-95ef-71af86c47417" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-72d4-bfcd-f61c61d04681" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-b8e6-abc9c2efc1fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-79d9-95ef-71af86c47417" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b87-b8e6-abc9c2efc1fd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-75e4-9dfc-fd1ee1b4da81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-79d9-95ef-71af86c47417" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-75e4-9dfc-fd1ee1b4da81" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-7817-ac37-bcb18aeb3141" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9364-711f22247a5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8eaa-7b9e-9364-711f22247a5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-7cb3-b42f-dbb41c98b169" 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_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsBeforeTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-7cb3-b42f-dbb41c98b169" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8eaa-7326-af03-c4139eb21adf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8eaa-7326-af03-c4139eb21adf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8eaa-713d-b712-c8c32c3d1e87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_019ffb4d-8eaa-7dbb-9937-66a3b9f8d8d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_019ffb4d-8eaa-713d-b712-c8c32c3d1e87" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_019ffb4d-8eaa-7de7-8e35-7f8ff2964ca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofReclassificationOutofAOCLDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofReclassificationOutofAOCLDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/CAPITALANDACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSScheduleofReclassificationOutofAOCLDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-775c-ab3f-562d9e528470" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-775c-ab3f-562d9e528470" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-775c-ab3f-562d9e528470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7712-83ab-67ce2b5ff4e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c31-800d-8eff2dada571" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7712-83ab-67ce2b5ff4e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ba5-a272-83adee5306e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7712-83ab-67ce2b5ff4e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7ba5-a272-83adee5306e4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f" 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_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-775c-ab3f-562d9e528470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c8a-93e1-72871d74aa21" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-77d6-913d-afd59de8f69f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c8a-93e1-72871d74aa21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fd3-8432-4102fd80ee92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c8a-93e1-72871d74aa21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7fd3-8432-4102fd80ee92" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3" 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_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-775c-ab3f-562d9e528470" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3_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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7120-a283-50433abaed2b" 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_019ffb4d-8eaa-71b7-99ee-c36d389bf2d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7120-a283-50433abaed2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7971-8a46-180ef950d57e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7120-a283-50433abaed2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-7971-8a46-180ef950d57e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-788f-a9c5-b5863af7acff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-7120-a283-50433abaed2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateContractMember_019ffb4d-8eaa-788f-a9c5-b5863af7acff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79c6-8b82-836db681da61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_019ffb4d-8eaa-79c6-8b82-836db681da61" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffb4d-8eaa-799e-bda9-f71ad34d27ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_019ffb4d-8eaa-799e-bda9-f71ad34d27ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingExpense_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a78-aced-d62e4165a985" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingExpense_019ffb4d-8eaa-7a78-aced-d62e4165a985" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0e-ac45-cc4ceecc80ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d0e-ac45-cc4ceecc80ca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c2d-8ee1-a112eff8717a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_019ffb4d-8eaa-7c2d-8ee1-a112eff8717a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d26-a274-bb5b74333422" 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_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_019ffb4d-8eaa-7d26-a274-bb5b74333422" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8eaa-770f-999b-4cda24f68ae2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_019ffb4d-8eaa-703d-a6e2-ae358d7a949a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_019ffb4d-8eaa-770f-999b-4cda24f68ae2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#EARNINGSPERSHAREAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-775e-8cc3-4a9c55902895" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f10-9151-3775c8f55e81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-775e-8cc3-4a9c55902895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f10-9151-3775c8f55e81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_019ffb4d-8eaa-7f10-9151-3775c8f55e81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a52-bd71-9ca6ccec55f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_019ffb4d-8eaa-75b1-abce-28a3ed6f818a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a52-bd71-9ca6ccec55f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7275-9957-06424494ec6e" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a52-bd71-9ca6ccec55f9" xlink:to="loc_ktb_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7275-9957-06424494ec6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019ffb4d-8f3b-7e90-adcb-6b5fcbd0d5e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-775e-8cc3-4a9c55902895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_019ffb4d-8f3b-7e90-adcb-6b5fcbd0d5e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-70d1-97ff-30acb3642e00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-70d1-97ff-30acb3642e00" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-71ce-9098-3237d05bec38" 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_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-70d1-97ff-30acb3642e00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfIncomeLocationBalanceAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-71ce-9098-3237d05bec38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-76d5-af02-b088d262db7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-76d5-af02-b088d262db7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostandAssetDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-70d1-97ff-30acb3642e00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-70d1-97ff-30acb3642e00" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-76d5-af02-b088d262db7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-72b8-8b66-0a4b93ab8500" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-76d5-af02-b088d262db7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostsbyBusinessSegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostsbyBusinessSegmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/RESTRUCTURINGScheduleofRestructuringCostsbyBusinessSegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-7bbb-aaa7-dbfca3e58a28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d9a-ba9d-0965d2edf06b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-7bbb-aaa7-dbfca3e58a28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d9a-ba9d-0965d2edf06b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c" 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_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d9a-ba9d-0965d2edf06b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c_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_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a66-9fda-e249b62552fb" 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_019ffb4d-8f3b-7915-9a48-ba454b8ade0c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a66-9fda-e249b62552fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7413-a7d6-81e2c0f32064" 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_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a66-9fda-e249b62552fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7413-a7d6-81e2c0f32064" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_CorporateAndReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a65-bff6-b1e16168d6d6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_CorporateAndReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a66-9fda-e249b62552fb" xlink:to="loc_ktb_CorporateAndReconcilingItemsMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-7a65-bff6-b1e16168d6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1" 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_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d9a-ba9d-0965d2edf06b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1_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_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d0f-b719-c3a6c1a30ca7" 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_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d62-aa52-596f0ebb04f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d0f-b719-c3a6c1a30ca7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-75d8-8fbd-72a4978f5ab8" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_WranglerSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d0f-b719-c3a6c1a30ca7" xlink:to="loc_ktb_WranglerSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-75d8-8fbd-72a4978f5ab8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-70ef-9ed2-37602d9a6181" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d0f-b719-c3a6c1a30ca7" xlink:to="loc_ktb_HellyHansenSegmentMember_019ffb4d-8f3b-70ef-9ed2-37602d9a6181" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d13-b180-886eeab87bb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_019ffb4d-8f3b-7bbb-aaa7-dbfca3e58a28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_019ffb4d-8f3b-7d13-b180-886eeab87bb4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kontoorbrands.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTSDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a16314-a364-7810-bdd6-6ce1913f1651" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a16314-a364-7810-bdd6-6ce1913f1651" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513_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_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16314-a364-7b8d-bbab-0b950d73619e" 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_01a16314-a364-7979-ad6c-93999dc79513" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_01a16314-a364-7b8d-bbab-0b950d73619e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a16314-a364-7053-9d57-281552a689a8" 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_01a16314-a364-7b8d-bbab-0b950d73619e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_01a16314-a364-7053-9d57-281552a689a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a18bdd-5770-71f0-8b2a-67f881c96dbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_01a18bdd-5770-7b62-afec-72320d6d33a3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a18bdd-5770-71f0-8b2a-67f881c96dbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember_01a18bdd-5770-7267-8199-04dfdb6015c6" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_01a18bdd-5770-71f0-8b2a-67f881c96dbe" xlink:to="loc_ktb_The2026RepurchaseProgramMember_01a18bdd-5770-7267-8199-04dfdb6015c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765_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_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a18bdd-5770-73d0-b643-5a8316f33275" 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_01a18bdd-5770-745e-860e-1e78bc2d0765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_01a18bdd-5770-73d0-b643-5a8316f33275" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a18bdd-5770-703e-a326-3af0093a113f" 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_01a18bdd-5770-73d0-b643-5a8316f33275" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_01a18bdd-5770-703e-a326-3af0093a113f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-74b4-993e-b87bace51293" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7970-9cb6-3ae144268a84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-74b4-993e-b87bace51293" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_01a1a77f-f99e-794f-9888-6a25b3473b1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-74b4-993e-b87bace51293" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_01a1a77f-f99e-794f-9888-6a25b3473b1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_01a16314-a364-7c32-8541-1a9778c9b29f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7cdf-9d7c-6e7c3e5aec79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_01a1a77f-f99e-7540-952c-f3b6d1a56345" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7cdf-9d7c-6e7c3e5aec79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_01a1a77f-f99e-713a-9643-70e4badb5922" xlink:href="ktb-20261003.xsd#ktb_LeeCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_01a1a77f-f99e-7cdf-9d7c-6e7c3e5aec79" xlink:to="loc_ktb_LeeCompanyMember_01a1a77f-f99e-713a-9643-70e4badb5922" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a16314-a364-7b22-916a-ce69298b224d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a16314-a364-7810-bdd6-6ce1913f1651" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_01a16314-a364-7b22-916a-ce69298b224d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a77f-f99e-787f-9885-4e3c33acba91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2026/elts/us-gaap-2026.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a16314-a364-7810-bdd6-6ce1913f1651" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_01a1a77f-f99e-787f-9885-4e3c33acba91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a18bdd-5770-7420-98aa-7b70a5bec82f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2026/elts/srt-2026.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_01a16314-a364-7810-bdd6-6ce1913f1651" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_01a18bdd-5770-7420-98aa-7b70a5bec82f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
