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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2022 Workiva-->
<!--r:4e6745e0-5dd8-4341-8d72-354c71d823fc,g:1b393959-9f52-441c-8b13-36197bc1fef6-->
<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.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="extended" id="i048b0b7b7b1e4abb87fa7f12360f10ec_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_f3e090bb-1884-4d00-909f-23671117a551" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_c91d6229-8a73-4462-af14-e55f2ff853d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_f3e090bb-1884-4d00-909f-23671117a551" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_c91d6229-8a73-4462-af14-e55f2ff853d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_695a9a93-f17c-4f53-8625-f0726075c8a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_c91d6229-8a73-4462-af14-e55f2ff853d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_695a9a93-f17c-4f53-8625-f0726075c8a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e1f85014-d8ff-461c-9e06-8cf5c5bc7ae4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_c91d6229-8a73-4462-af14-e55f2ff853d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e1f85014-d8ff-461c-9e06-8cf5c5bc7ae4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_ba022888-3712-41ec-8105-8553a5bab061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_c91d6229-8a73-4462-af14-e55f2ff853d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_ba022888-3712-41ec-8105-8553a5bab061" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_208a7a0a-96b5-462c-b61b-adcc8bc3c92d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_f3e090bb-1884-4d00-909f-23671117a551" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_208a7a0a-96b5-462c-b61b-adcc8bc3c92d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_d94e3886-69dc-4c10-9f9c-4b18ac8abc99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_208a7a0a-96b5-462c-b61b-adcc8bc3c92d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_d94e3886-69dc-4c10-9f9c-4b18ac8abc99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b1258d21-7001-46be-848e-5f73ffc7de83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_f3e090bb-1884-4d00-909f-23671117a551" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b1258d21-7001-46be-848e-5f73ffc7de83" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b1258d21-7001-46be-848e-5f73ffc7de83" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_774acaa5-5c9e-4a5a-a42a-5535942535e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_ba7302b2-bc25-425e-823b-1eff7ca9c162" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_774acaa5-5c9e-4a5a-a42a-5535942535e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember_f25621f3-d231-4f09-a519-0a9608b748ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_774acaa5-5c9e-4a5a-a42a-5535942535e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember_f25621f3-d231-4f09-a519-0a9608b748ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_69196d5d-8e9a-4f9f-a9bb-8312ab02272a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_774acaa5-5c9e-4a5a-a42a-5535942535e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_69196d5d-8e9a-4f9f-a9bb-8312ab02272a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateMember_db01337b-13ac-4ace-9a5a-66e6520cb62c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_774acaa5-5c9e-4a5a-a42a-5535942535e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateMember_db01337b-13ac-4ace-9a5a-66e6520cb62c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="ic4534666d0de4a85b3b864745fe8dd45_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFEQUITY">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1647f6df-014b-45af-bfee-997391dc8deb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1647f6df-014b-45af-bfee-997391dc8deb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_bca5e2dc-e8ac-4e69-933d-e7e640e85ae2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_bca5e2dc-e8ac-4e69-933d-e7e640e85ae2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_3462a99a-cb94-4478-b850-1f00fe03733b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_3462a99a-cb94-4478-b850-1f00fe03733b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ee1f0efe-31cf-4bc2-9d78-c97d002c8e5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ee1f0efe-31cf-4bc2-9d78-c97d002c8e5f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_ac790ad8-214c-4eb4-b68d-d5a177e21ad8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossAfterReclassificationAndTax_ac790ad8-214c-4eb4-b68d-d5a177e21ad8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_026b1411-d1bc-4284-8f13-56c5da687641" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_026b1411-d1bc-4284-8f13-56c5da687641" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_68982be6-4999-4c93-adde-0e3c12b2b055" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_68982be6-4999-4c93-adde-0e3c12b2b055" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_7273eac3-0f12-4b1c-9ee5-ece86cb900a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_7273eac3-0f12-4b1c-9ee5-ece86cb900a1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_faf4603e-2258-4e62-b2a5-920950328752" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_faf4603e-2258-4e62-b2a5-920950328752" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_3589cf08-3a2b-456f-b6f6-e94b871438b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_3589cf08-3a2b-456f-b6f6-e94b871438b0" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a961b9d1-28ad-41be-83a9-d8fceac308f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a961b9d1-28ad-41be-83a9-d8fceac308f7" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_efb1b0fb-fb55-46be-a736-eaafbe3bf312" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_efb1b0fb-fb55-46be-a736-eaafbe3bf312" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockStock_8a712dd6-3d5b-4ce0-8085-b26615bd579d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockStock_8a712dd6-3d5b-4ce0-8085-b26615bd579d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares_af665f1c-ca3e-43b7-853c-668d5bc93e6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares_af665f1c-ca3e-43b7-853c-668d5bc93e6b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_c5719a38-5602-47f1-9dd9-c9a2d2efb837" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_c5719a38-5602-47f1-9dd9-c9a2d2efb837" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionsFromNoncontrollingInterests_c5343411-e1fc-4b4d-b7dd-32a1efa8a90b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionsFromNoncontrollingInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_mac_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromContributionsFromNoncontrollingInterests_c5343411-e1fc-4b4d-b7dd-32a1efa8a90b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits_49a0bb62-73a8-4936-9e58-00bdc9375361" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueConversionOfUnits_49a0bb62-73a8-4936-9e58-00bdc9375361" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfUnits_3c145120-1ee8-4abc-81cc-1e94f5db6bbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesConversionOfUnits_3c145120-1ee8-4abc-81cc-1e94f5db6bbb" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_32ab05b7-7f9d-46ce-97cb-6d794680b499" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_32ab05b7-7f9d-46ce-97cb-6d794680b499" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_f3d2d406-c11d-45c3-84f0-2bfb387dc463" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_c9ac22c4-5f60-4670-9f4b-83bba7e5413b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_f3d2d406-c11d-45c3-84f0-2bfb387dc463" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_c3cc76af-4f96-4c97-a96e-5c03e20f9b9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_98a26bbc-44c8-49a9-994f-1c42d68b03f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_5cab0b80-607f-435b-9129-b2519828e075" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1647f6df-014b-45af-bfee-997391dc8deb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_5cab0b80-607f-435b-9129-b2519828e075" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_456a5032-f276-4411-b0e5-cdf32ea9aac1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1647f6df-014b-45af-bfee-997391dc8deb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_456a5032-f276-4411-b0e5-cdf32ea9aac1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_456a5032-f276-4411-b0e5-cdf32ea9aac1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_26544090-b29b-4ac7-ba02-512b89347e58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_a67baab2-a9be-47bb-8c99-88044ebf25c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_26544090-b29b-4ac7-ba02-512b89347e58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_26544090-b29b-4ac7-ba02-512b89347e58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_155b74fd-0ab5-40dd-8fca-a81f33062aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_155b74fd-0ab5-40dd-8fca-a81f33062aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_bd3abbd4-9652-4958-b1f4-89ed7aadb7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_bd3abbd4-9652-4958-b1f4-89ed7aadb7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_076f4c38-11c2-4a90-9a25-bccfe417fba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_076f4c38-11c2-4a90-9a25-bccfe417fba9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7618c29d-36d3-4e48-b5b6-bef0979a2301" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_54636ae3-7d78-4f6e-a678-89b59a5bdb5b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7618c29d-36d3-4e48-b5b6-bef0979a2301" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_56f8aab9-3d26-40a1-8b55-f04c23a815d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_26544090-b29b-4ac7-ba02-512b89347e58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_56f8aab9-3d26-40a1-8b55-f04c23a815d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_456a5032-f276-4411-b0e5-cdf32ea9aac1" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_fc414081-07b9-4a30-8cb1-bf5338075287" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_8c6b4b4d-7cb4-4074-b309-0f2bc7d96c90" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_fc414081-07b9-4a30-8cb1-bf5338075287" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_26071462-9430-402f-b376-455be77d5fdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_fc414081-07b9-4a30-8cb1-bf5338075287" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_26071462-9430-402f-b376-455be77d5fdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS" xlink:type="extended" id="ie681bfa6cab341f58511d955450e9c6a_CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWS">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_b89fcf0f-1716-44a1-b503-6871f8dd75a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_b89fcf0f-1716-44a1-b503-6871f8dd75a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ca214506-80f0-439e-8993-2107c400c10d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_b89fcf0f-1716-44a1-b503-6871f8dd75a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ca214506-80f0-439e-8993-2107c400c10d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_b89fcf0f-1716-44a1-b503-6871f8dd75a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_8f89c5ea-ef86-4107-9493-731546c65189" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_8f89c5ea-ef86-4107-9493-731546c65189" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ReMeasurementGainLossOnAssets_f0a9a29b-dc58-45fc-8f6a-acdef2dc3805" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ReMeasurementGainLossOnAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_mac_ReMeasurementGainLossOnAssets_f0a9a29b-dc58-45fc-8f6a-acdef2dc3805" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GainLossOnSaleOrWriteDownOfAssets_fb25bd68-7ca9-4e77-b65c-1e39d1b6c6b0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GainLossOnSaleOrWriteDownOfAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_mac_GainLossOnSaleOrWriteDownOfAssets_fb25bd68-7ca9-4e77-b65c-1e39d1b6c6b0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_c7e434da-cb3f-4ded-958d-4446344e8343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_c7e434da-cb3f-4ded-958d-4446344e8343" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_64f86442-95d9-44de-901b-2c2874fd1be8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfDebtDiscountPremium_64f86442-95d9-44de-901b-2c2874fd1be8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_475ebb6e-8d2e-491d-b47a-5d51b4c00f5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_475ebb6e-8d2e-491d-b47a-5d51b4c00f5d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StraightLineRentAdjustmentsAndAmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_6262bd7b-402a-4422-8752-49f043ee0ecf" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StraightLineRentAdjustmentsAndAmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_mac_StraightLineRentAdjustmentsAndAmortizationOfAboveAndBelowMarketLeases_6262bd7b-402a-4422-8752-49f043ee0ecf" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_0c902fc4-1aa7-4117-8ab7-51098d32ce1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_0c902fc4-1aa7-4117-8ab7-51098d32ce1f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_aecff34f-8e41-4dc5-8587-dbaf366e742e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_aecff34f-8e41-4dc5-8587-dbaf366e742e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_4161b80b-631d-4bc9-bcaf-024d3471e772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_4161b80b-631d-4bc9-bcaf-024d3471e772" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment_16e638f2-39b0-4d68-aef4-efe61a7e8ab5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueAdjustment_16e638f2-39b0-4d68-aef4-efe61a7e8ab5" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_efee3c7f-1193-4223-8311-750c6fa85929" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_efee3c7f-1193-4223-8311-750c6fa85929" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_2b3ca831-5c5f-4b72-a934-ac6bbda68428" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable_76d2f8c6-30cf-400e-9cd1-6b5b933c85e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable_76d2f8c6-30cf-400e-9cd1-6b5b933c85e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_92590da6-07fb-4b92-9712-bd8134731253" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_92590da6-07fb-4b92-9712-bd8134731253" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseDueFromAffiliates_b5a20006-8e06-4a42-94a0-410f1d3a0a90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseDueFromAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseDueFromAffiliates_b5a20006-8e06-4a42-94a0-410f1d3a0a90" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_b242f637-641e-430d-9fa1-c8b972c1695b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities_b242f637-641e-430d-9fa1-c8b972c1695b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities_42903297-7d70-4a3e-aba7-61fa8f95a4f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapitalAbstract_e1e4fed6-6631-4a97-99ea-080b7bf9dc1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherAccruedLiabilities_42903297-7d70-4a3e-aba7-61fa8f95a4f4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_289a3dde-d630-4709-a20b-e70eba201c87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_b89fcf0f-1716-44a1-b503-6871f8dd75a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_289a3dde-d630-4709-a20b-e70eba201c87" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PaymentsToAcquireDevelopRedevelopExpansionAndRenovationRealEstate_49809607-f379-499b-99fc-9267c078b64d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PaymentsToAcquireDevelopRedevelopExpansionAndRenovationRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_mac_PaymentsToAcquireDevelopRedevelopExpansionAndRenovationRealEstate_49809607-f379-499b-99fc-9267c078b64d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets_4f013b07-a6c4-4165-82f1-c3f9231ea261" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToDevelopRealEstateAssets_4f013b07-a6c4-4165-82f1-c3f9231ea261" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfNotesReceivable_360056b8-51ec-4091-a7e0-ef5d3b6e2904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfNotesReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromCollectionOfNotesReceivable_360056b8-51ec-4091-a7e0-ef5d3b6e2904" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLeasingFees_12a0b589-61e2-45f8-94a8-07c57aff2ac4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLeasingFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLeasingFees_12a0b589-61e2-45f8-94a8-07c57aff2ac4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DistributionsOfCapitalFromUnconsolidatedEntitiesAndOther_f890b662-4557-4534-9d53-cf096fe27cc4" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DistributionsOfCapitalFromUnconsolidatedEntitiesAndOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_mac_DistributionsOfCapitalFromUnconsolidatedEntitiesAndOther_f890b662-4557-4534-9d53-cf096fe27cc4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_7631d778-1804-41cb-9763-40128c989e6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_7631d778-1804-41cb-9763-40128c989e6c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition_a168ab75-a736-4733-a7ac-480f9fe19db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAcquiredFromAcquisition_a168ab75-a736-4733-a7ac-480f9fe19db3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToFundLongtermLoansToRelatedParties_4ce79319-1382-4e69-9215-fb2f3e76ef4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToFundLongtermLoansToRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToFundLongtermLoansToRelatedParties_4ce79319-1382-4e69-9215-fb2f3e76ef4a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet_cf9aa56a-68dd-4dde-be29-5f134e785b28" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet_cf9aa56a-68dd-4dde-be29-5f134e785b28" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_485743ce-ada1-4508-8ef7-36ee3035816d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_3fe8883c-34cc-497f-ab27-e8839a9b5a11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_485743ce-ada1-4508-8ef7-36ee3035816d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet_aa9ef2b4-b847-40b0-8df6-aa50533a48b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebtAndCapitalSecuritiesNet_aa9ef2b4-b847-40b0-8df6-aa50533a48b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_8db5bae1-6079-4380-acaf-721671dded38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_8db5bae1-6079-4380-acaf-721671dded38" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts_06d2e155-f936-4688-8160-f7486848a8e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts_06d2e155-f936-4688-8160-f7486848a8e8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds_6114854d-bda7-4b54-aa4b-7e0d02964387" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds_6114854d-bda7-4b54-aa4b-7e0d02964387" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ProceedsFromFinanceLease_d6ee957b-8986-4570-93df-c723727fd113" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ProceedsFromFinanceLease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_mac_ProceedsFromFinanceLease_d6ee957b-8986-4570-93df-c723727fd113" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments_3148457f-6f04-47dd-9bc3-d0d7a1354c13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeasePrincipalPayments_3148457f-6f04-47dd-9bc3-d0d7a1354c13" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans_1d4e2850-b315-466e-9934-d2ed071beed6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockPlans_1d4e2850-b315-466e-9934-d2ed071beed6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_edfe23a1-9088-4d46-b5e3-a92c67c775ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_edfe23a1-9088-4d46-b5e3-a92c67c775ee" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders_bbbd4e9f-ab95-4e76-bdcd-554abe165f57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders_bbbd4e9f-ab95-4e76-bdcd-554abe165f57" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_006e751c-8cdb-4657-8db6-4f7753a32384" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMinorityShareholders_006e751c-8cdb-4657-8db6-4f7753a32384" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_58f5ebb8-fa3e-4a7d-a8e9-36e18856cf64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock_58f5ebb8-fa3e-4a7d-a8e9-36e18856cf64" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_eaf857c5-9f34-4732-8447-96fddc1056e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_15f2f4ab-0e2b-4da2-ad45-576636ae2e3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_eaf857c5-9f34-4732-8447-96fddc1056e9" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_814684b1-4f1a-4680-a65f-05cc74e5a3e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_814684b1-4f1a-4680-a65f-05cc74e5a3e8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_9c06735f-0cd4-47c5-bd06-420970f0dcd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_9c06735f-0cd4-47c5-bd06-420970f0dcd9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_aa52dd6f-13d9-4bb3-95ca-04584628b1c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_f5110655-edd1-4be6-9139-41826949dd99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_f5110655-edd1-4be6-9139-41826949dd99" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_3fb8bc51-6cbc-491b-9f97-18040ad87a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_f5110655-edd1-4be6-9139-41826949dd99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_3fb8bc51-6cbc-491b-9f97-18040ad87a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_e36d5323-3fe3-482b-ab24-1f41f4707603" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_e36d5323-3fe3-482b-ab24-1f41f4707603" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_89190a00-5720-4099-8c21-7989b355d12a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConversionOfStockAmountConverted1_89190a00-5720-4099-8c21-7989b355d12a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ReceivableInConnectionWithSaleOfJointVentureProperty_e3a8d1f0-b2d3-4042-9a26-f204cbe51461" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ReceivableInConnectionWithSaleOfJointVentureProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_mac_ReceivableInConnectionWithSaleOfJointVentureProperty_e3a8d1f0-b2d3-4042-9a26-f204cbe51461" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_97662da6-91b3-4d6f-ab7c-a776c33285a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_97662da6-91b3-4d6f-ab7c-a776c33285a2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1_16c9f185-1fd5-4489-a670-9e31013a8940" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfAssetsAcquired1_16c9f185-1fd5-4489-a670-9e31013a8940" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfLiabilitiesAssumed1_c9b33d69-8cd9-4267-aba9-ba22ff1e126d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfLiabilitiesAssumed1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionValueOfLiabilitiesAssumed1_c9b33d69-8cd9-4267-aba9-ba22ff1e126d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_d109dc0d-d921-4530-adc1-1cb8e7b7dc39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowNoncashInvestingAndFinancingActivitiesDisclosureAbstract_e249eca4-9a76-43ef-93f0-4119988bcb03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_d109dc0d-d921-4530-adc1-1cb8e7b7dc39" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_17b5ed09-8498-475d-b878-7857543fa468" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_60e3f0e4-106f-4657-989b-ef7588bf07a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_17b5ed09-8498-475d-b878-7857543fa468" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_17b5ed09-8498-475d-b878-7857543fa468" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8e846a2c-5dd1-4c06-8ed0-2613c200619f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_77be7db5-b783-442c-a947-8fe65bc09def" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8e846a2c-5dd1-4c06-8ed0-2613c200619f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_dd0d1dfc-4243-4df1-b518-7c01bf7d2b6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_8e846a2c-5dd1-4c06-8ed0-2613c200619f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_dd0d1dfc-4243-4df1-b518-7c01bf7d2b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/OrganizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#OrganizationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/OrganizationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6cf0459636374598a097e0fcbf2c6d11_OrganizationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipLineItems_5a1b24ad-5b70-4454-bc5a-eea1418b159a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_56403d9c-bf85-4c56-afa7-ba27ca528dd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipLineItems_5a1b24ad-5b70-4454-bc5a-eea1418b159a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_56403d9c-bf85-4c56-afa7-ba27ca528dd0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NumberOfRealEstateManagementCompanies_99a527c8-08b6-4c6b-b59f-51b4faccf46f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NumberOfRealEstateManagementCompanies"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipLineItems_5a1b24ad-5b70-4454-bc5a-eea1418b159a" xlink:to="loc_mac_NumberOfRealEstateManagementCompanies_99a527c8-08b6-4c6b-b59f-51b4faccf46f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipTable_6137e060-acf1-4def-ad26-8faf3bb5446b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipLineItems_5a1b24ad-5b70-4454-bc5a-eea1418b159a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipTable_6137e060-acf1-4def-ad26-8faf3bb5446b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSubsidiaryOfLimitedLiabilityCompanyOrLimitedPartnershipTable_6137e060-acf1-4def-ad26-8faf3bb5446b" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b16ccb81-359e-4bcd-a341-40f8b08000bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_dfd4f926-d24d-498f-9179-c695b181bb5e" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b16ccb81-359e-4bcd-a341-40f8b08000bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_7802e6b7-6411-4833-ad67-8b4050767900" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b16ccb81-359e-4bcd-a341-40f8b08000bc" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_7802e6b7-6411-4833-ad67-8b4050767900" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOperatingPartnershipsVIEsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOperatingPartnershipsVIEsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOperatingPartnershipsVIEsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4afc1bc55be84ee38e14cb40d973d733_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesScheduleOperatingPartnershipsVIEsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_ad1e1078-2789-4616-998e-7ca00c083d48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_43d3de91-6602-449f-a7ed-959d7e7289ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_ad1e1078-2789-4616-998e-7ca00c083d48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_43d3de91-6602-449f-a7ed-959d7e7289ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_92d5b352-b4a7-424f-8856-6b5cb78925a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_43d3de91-6602-449f-a7ed-959d7e7289ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_92d5b352-b4a7-424f-8856-6b5cb78925a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_8247aa3b-93ff-425a-adc9-c37d6c082146" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_43d3de91-6602-449f-a7ed-959d7e7289ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_8247aa3b-93ff-425a-adc9-c37d6c082146" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_fab98d67-5444-4d91-a5dc-4eaa384892a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_43d3de91-6602-449f-a7ed-959d7e7289ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_fab98d67-5444-4d91-a5dc-4eaa384892a8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_c9185b26-a9a5-4152-8078-a02343943876" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_ad1e1078-2789-4616-998e-7ca00c083d48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_c9185b26-a9a5-4152-8078-a02343943876" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_c20731a2-0571-45af-afbc-55aa386ebd7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_c9185b26-a9a5-4152-8078-a02343943876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_c20731a2-0571-45af-afbc-55aa386ebd7e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_971f9ba7-2ca9-4a66-8c2e-0b3a94fa64d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_c9185b26-a9a5-4152-8078-a02343943876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_971f9ba7-2ca9-4a66-8c2e-0b3a94fa64d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_2b935dbe-2552-4137-adfa-229ac5253e97" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_c9185b26-a9a5-4152-8078-a02343943876" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_2b935dbe-2552-4137-adfa-229ac5253e97" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_809bda69-a920-419b-8af3-79c100bb523e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_ad1e1078-2789-4616-998e-7ca00c083d48" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_809bda69-a920-419b-8af3-79c100bb523e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_809bda69-a920-419b-8af3-79c100bb523e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_240516e6-4718-4cfb-9d2f-db0d10844882" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_d15fe601-6feb-4916-b781-ed3d4527e5fa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_240516e6-4718-4cfb-9d2f-db0d10844882" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_cafc92a3-0e0e-4c6c-aa62-b7817c4fbc90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_240516e6-4718-4cfb-9d2f-db0d10844882" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_cafc92a3-0e0e-4c6c-aa62-b7817c4fbc90" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenuesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenuesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i86b37beae05948ccb9f1b10897cd0173_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRevenuesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_6e4e910d-a38f-4276-b546-73f60e86cb47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ManagementFeeRevenueAsPercentageOfGrossMonthlyRentalRevenue_bdcbc58d-06f5-4d01-8f1e-67876b07b139" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ManagementFeeRevenueAsPercentageOfGrossMonthlyRentalRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_6e4e910d-a38f-4276-b546-73f60e86cb47" xlink:to="loc_mac_ManagementFeeRevenueAsPercentageOfGrossMonthlyRentalRevenue_bdcbc58d-06f5-4d01-8f1e-67876b07b139" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_f7e0c9f7-baf2-4274-9199-b91735731b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_6e4e910d-a38f-4276-b546-73f60e86cb47" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_f7e0c9f7-baf2-4274-9199-b91735731b44" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_f7e0c9f7-baf2-4274-9199-b91735731b44" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6b6663ab-948f-46fa-90eb-f140bbe51bcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0243a730-4735-4d75-983a-5f65d3be1ce6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6b6663ab-948f-46fa-90eb-f140bbe51bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d65c6f00-a936-419b-bba8-89e53e1b5762" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6b6663ab-948f-46fa-90eb-f140bbe51bcf" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d65c6f00-a936-419b-bba8-89e53e1b5762" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_70b407d1-d716-490e-b2d5-4d6bd1ebb50c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6b6663ab-948f-46fa-90eb-f140bbe51bcf" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_70b407d1-d716-490e-b2d5-4d6bd1ebb50c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandInvestmentinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandInvestmentinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandInvestmentinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if5a766372a584325b664a8f75d301a51_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPropertyandInvestmentinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_27f89706-d3d2-4294-844b-cb876193ec79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_f47ed7a8-41e1-4398-b44b-a9fc0e62c519" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_27f89706-d3d2-4294-844b-cb876193ec79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_f47ed7a8-41e1-4398-b44b-a9fc0e62c519" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_e6bfc570-b3d7-459f-b638-2dd151da0a9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_27f89706-d3d2-4294-844b-cb876193ec79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_e6bfc570-b3d7-459f-b638-2dd151da0a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_e6bfc570-b3d7-459f-b638-2dd151da0a9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d21a56a-9a6a-4eaa-8a54-61b9ca84104e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_4f42f55c-8023-46f8-99a3-88e4f050fbdf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d21a56a-9a6a-4eaa-8a54-61b9ca84104e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_95148cb4-d968-436e-8c15-e303e9982230" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d21a56a-9a6a-4eaa-8a54-61b9ca84104e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_95148cb4-d968-436e-8c15-e303e9982230" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TenantImprovementsMember_9184457c-6d0a-4bfc-97b1-8691606c0490" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TenantImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d21a56a-9a6a-4eaa-8a54-61b9ca84104e" xlink:to="loc_mac_TenantImprovementsMember_9184457c-6d0a-4bfc-97b1-8691606c0490" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember_0c2496ce-bcf1-4079-8e5f-7b4f298a98ba" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d21a56a-9a6a-4eaa-8a54-61b9ca84104e" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember_0c2496ce-bcf1-4079-8e5f-7b4f298a98ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_e6bfc570-b3d7-459f-b638-2dd151da0a9f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_194d028b-bf65-4962-8e5a-9929f2672151" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f4b9c2c2-5766-4f0a-8bb4-eaddefec9337" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_194d028b-bf65-4962-8e5a-9929f2672151" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3a36eaf9-57bc-4021-b145-a8b073e526ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_194d028b-bf65-4962-8e5a-9929f2672151" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3a36eaf9-57bc-4021-b145-a8b073e526ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e44c88ae-d891-45f8-bc2e-414f2077ccdb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_194d028b-bf65-4962-8e5a-9929f2672151" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e44c88ae-d891-45f8-bc2e-414f2077ccdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredChargesSegmentInformationandShareholderActivismCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredChargesSegmentInformationandShareholderActivismCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredChargesSegmentInformationandShareholderActivismCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i00618b24fdb64326b6e015ade3e82179_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDeferredChargesSegmentInformationandShareholderActivismCostsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6be5ae83-d2cc-4dd6-9c4f-dffe25f892a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract_f5753c8b-58a6-4be3-a610-90e63aeb835d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6be5ae83-d2cc-4dd6-9c4f-dffe25f892a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract_f5753c8b-58a6-4be3-a610-90e63aeb835d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DeferredLeasingCostsAmortizationPeriod_8e5097ff-0e27-4e59-af58-2854ec57554f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DeferredLeasingCostsAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract_f5753c8b-58a6-4be3-a610-90e63aeb835d" xlink:to="loc_mac_DeferredLeasingCostsAmortizationPeriod_8e5097ff-0e27-4e59-af58-2854ec57554f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DeferredFinancingCostsAmortizationPeriod_97abbb61-9edd-467e-817a-81639cea4229" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DeferredFinancingCostsAmortizationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract_f5753c8b-58a6-4be3-a610-90e63aeb835d" xlink:to="loc_mac_DeferredFinancingCostsAmortizationPeriod_97abbb61-9edd-467e-817a-81639cea4229" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_82303956-06c0-4a7c-a75a-6298ebf8259c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_6be5ae83-d2cc-4dd6-9c4f-dffe25f892a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_82303956-06c0-4a7c-a75a-6298ebf8259c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_82303956-06c0-4a7c-a75a-6298ebf8259c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6f99ee2c-e92a-477a-b65a-5ef952fabd31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a1712e0d-ea2f-4fa4-bdfa-8d1f6b44faf6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6f99ee2c-e92a-477a-b65a-5ef952fabd31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_71140a62-168c-435b-a956-6c5d567bbbb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6f99ee2c-e92a-477a-b65a-5ef952fabd31" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_71140a62-168c-435b-a956-6c5d567bbbb7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_81c2dfe1-d751-4f3a-b0f0-f89e1c910f98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6f99ee2c-e92a-477a-b65a-5ef952fabd31" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_81c2dfe1-d751-4f3a-b0f0-f89e1c910f98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic57c4ef31ecf472ba992f1c474162eb3_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesRecentAccountingPronouncementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_349a5b30-4b19-49f4-8e7c-9b363940b320" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_1809287b-3d41-41ec-8d4b-0a033c85863e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_349a5b30-4b19-49f4-8e7c-9b363940b320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_1809287b-3d41-41ec-8d4b-0a033c85863e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_aee025b1-bb42-470d-8912-232dcb3f022c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_349a5b30-4b19-49f4-8e7c-9b363940b320" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_aee025b1-bb42-470d-8912-232dcb3f022c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_aee025b1-bb42-470d-8912-232dcb3f022c" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_9bfa9711-b2b7-41b5-be75-7ed966cc6fb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_2978b4ff-8a62-4b55-8dcb-20aaacd3e226" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_9bfa9711-b2b7-41b5-be75-7ed966cc6fb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_8fa05ee3-8e5e-44f5-8fc6-36be7c2dc50f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_9bfa9711-b2b7-41b5-be75-7ed966cc6fb2" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_8fa05ee3-8e5e-44f5-8fc6-36be7c2dc50f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_aee025b1-bb42-470d-8912-232dcb3f022c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9fd608ae-0e09-4fd7-ab62-fbcf5af8acd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_f006210a-2d15-41c2-8bfa-abe7b35a8322" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9fd608ae-0e09-4fd7-ab62-fbcf5af8acd9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_aadd2543-9bdd-4e07-a75c-2c0dfa158d85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9fd608ae-0e09-4fd7-ab62-fbcf5af8acd9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_aadd2543-9bdd-4e07-a75c-2c0dfa158d85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/EarningsPerShareEPSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#EarningsPerShareEPSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/EarningsPerShareEPSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic9dcb0ddd78948c0bc024612b1df90ec_EarningsPerShareEPSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ee24cf5e-411c-431a-9aee-b1db12142bbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_3ce77fce-ff09-4e8c-9956-576ff5fe858d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ee24cf5e-411c-431a-9aee-b1db12142bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_3ce77fce-ff09-4e8c-9956-576ff5fe858d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_689a42df-8627-4059-8bef-d3f6192c18b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ee24cf5e-411c-431a-9aee-b1db12142bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_689a42df-8627-4059-8bef-d3f6192c18b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_689a42df-8627-4059-8bef-d3f6192c18b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_9258f49c-0924-4158-8e57-b7b3762cd6e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_4b01ca11-6c4d-41b1-99f3-9cb2c5ab3568" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_9258f49c-0924-4158-8e57-b7b3762cd6e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PreferredNonparticipatingConvertibleUnitsMember_d4349245-29b7-466c-824f-5d67cf5ed539" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PreferredNonparticipatingConvertibleUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_9258f49c-0924-4158-8e57-b7b3762cd6e3" xlink:to="loc_mac_PreferredNonparticipatingConvertibleUnitsMember_d4349245-29b7-466c-824f-5d67cf5ed539" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PartnershipUnitsMember_3238731d-37a2-4443-a662-4ea7a2b90c43" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PartnershipUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_9258f49c-0924-4158-8e57-b7b3762cd6e3" xlink:to="loc_mac_PartnershipUnitsMember_3238731d-37a2-4443-a662-4ea7a2b90c43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCompanyOwnershipDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCompanyOwnershipDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCompanyOwnershipDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7e0aecc03d40449b82ee65bdceec8b46_InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCompanyOwnershipDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2a508d79-94cd-46ca-83ca-94daa15122c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_69fcd244-dedb-4108-837d-8a90e4372a02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2a508d79-94cd-46ca-83ca-94daa15122c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_69fcd244-dedb-4108-837d-8a90e4372a02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_93acd399-6099-4154-bbc5-84536860d7b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_2a508d79-94cd-46ca-83ca-94daa15122c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_93acd399-6099-4154-bbc5-84536860d7b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_93acd399-6099-4154-bbc5-84536860d7b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_b0e39175-0e67-4e8d-bba4-e689d35aad4e" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_AMTysonsLLCMember_6f792390-6a46-4fac-9742-eee12a2bcb71" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_AMTysonsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_AMTysonsLLCMember_6f792390-6a46-4fac-9742-eee12a2bcb71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BiltmoreShoppingCenterPartnersLLCMember_e5dcc7e5-8c16-4a9d-b14d-89024249fb06" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BiltmoreShoppingCenterPartnersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_BiltmoreShoppingCenterPartnersLLCMember_e5dcc7e5-8c16-4a9d-b14d-89024249fb06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_CorteMaderaVillageLLCMember_333831f0-36b6-4213-a4b8-3940dfd0f410" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_CorteMaderaVillageLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_CorteMaderaVillageLLCMember_333831f0-36b6-4213-a4b8-3940dfd0f410" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_CountryClubPlazaKCPartnersLLCMember_02bd281b-d936-431c-b32b-76b129b6d8b9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_CountryClubPlazaKCPartnersLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_CountryClubPlazaKCPartnersLLCMember_02bd281b-d936-431c-b32b-76b129b6d8b9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember_1af3bd83-849a-4b16-b763-34ed92e5692e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember_1af3bd83-849a-4b16-b763-34ed92e5692e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_KierlandCommonsInvestmentLLCMember_93a46538-8847-490c-9055-f687b5fc6711" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_KierlandCommonsInvestmentLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_KierlandCommonsInvestmentLLCMember_93a46538-8847-490c-9055-f687b5fc6711" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MacerichHHFBroadwayPlazaLLCBroadwayPlazaMember_47fb1e07-46fc-4e4f-9a51-fe2fa6a27d53" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MacerichHHFBroadwayPlazaLLCBroadwayPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_MacerichHHFBroadwayPlazaLLCBroadwayPlazaMember_47fb1e07-46fc-4e4f-9a51-fe2fa6a27d53" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MacerichHHFCentersLLCVariousPropertiesMember_60ca4383-f1ed-488d-afa1-be503432c2d3" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MacerichHHFCentersLLCVariousPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_MacerichHHFCentersLLCVariousPropertiesMember_60ca4383-f1ed-488d-afa1-be503432c2d3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember_573bd1a4-9618-4207-9d01-4b1ef91ae391" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember_573bd1a4-9618-4207-9d01-4b1ef91ae391" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NewRiverAssociatesLLCArrowheadTowneCenterMember_b743e1bb-efc0-477b-bb63-afb86dafc5d2" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NewRiverAssociatesLLCArrowheadTowneCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_NewRiverAssociatesLLCArrowheadTowneCenterMember_b743e1bb-efc0-477b-bb63-afb86dafc5d2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember_08dd26a3-7507-4ab6-99fd-816ad8df6f19" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember_08dd26a3-7507-4ab6-99fd-816ad8df6f19" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PropcorIIAssociatesLLCBoulevardShopsMember_69ad5795-51aa-494a-9bd0-4e70c3c2823f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PropcorIIAssociatesLLCBoulevardShopsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_PropcorIIAssociatesLLCBoulevardShopsMember_69ad5795-51aa-494a-9bd0-4e70c3c2823f" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PVLandSPELLCMember_559f14ce-5839-40df-9e1b-b3803e49751c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PVLandSPELLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_PVLandSPELLCMember_559f14ce-5839-40df-9e1b-b3803e49751c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScottsdaleFashionSquarePartnershipMember_524feac7-5fce-47e9-88e6-31ffafebc5ed" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScottsdaleFashionSquarePartnershipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_ScottsdaleFashionSquarePartnershipMember_524feac7-5fce-47e9-88e6-31ffafebc5ed" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TMTRSHoldingCompanyLLCValenciaPlaceatCountryClubPlazaMember_a70a4360-7653-4030-be73-0531560774cf" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TMTRSHoldingCompanyLLCValenciaPlaceatCountryClubPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TMTRSHoldingCompanyLLCValenciaPlaceatCountryClubPlazaMember_a70a4360-7653-4030-be73-0531560774cf" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember_48500662-5889-41cf-a7eb-3a4682d744b1" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember_48500662-5889-41cf-a7eb-3a4682d744b1" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsCornerHotelILLCMember_d5b97690-d4f3-4b84-aa6b-aaaad985743a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsCornerHotelILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsCornerHotelILLCMember_d5b97690-d4f3-4b84-aa6b-aaaad985743a" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsCornerPropertyHoldingsIILLCMember_cbc74168-d442-45bf-955f-5cb65d7e7e1b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsCornerPropertyHoldingsIILLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsCornerPropertyHoldingsIILLCMember_cbc74168-d442-45bf-955f-5cb65d7e7e1b" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsCornerPropertyLLCMember_ffcef127-e6e0-4560-8400-d07892417530" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsCornerPropertyLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsCornerPropertyLLCMember_ffcef127-e6e0-4560-8400-d07892417530" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember_012a7956-ee48-40c0-86e2-c21621d1a99f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember_012a7956-ee48-40c0-86e2-c21621d1a99f" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_WMAPLLCAtlasParkMember_d3a01ecb-d9ae-4687-89de-076435a8766e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_WMAPLLCAtlasParkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6ce7bc56-3838-4753-9cb7-2221690c1d9d" xlink:to="loc_mac_WMAPLLCAtlasParkMember_d3a01ecb-d9ae-4687-89de-076435a8766e" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if55d0efecd3b484f8090e1c34770595b_InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_e72ed1a0-7799-4f28-8ace-b4ae8f9a275b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_e72ed1a0-7799-4f28-8ace-b4ae8f9a275b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages_6a6a3b87-eab5-492f-9ca9-229a904c8ec5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages_6a6a3b87-eab5-492f-9ca9-229a904c8ec5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_0deb0af4-48eb-4b35-991f-53272544e79a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_0deb0af4-48eb-4b35-991f-53272544e79a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NotePayableMaximumAdditionalBorrowing_b221072c-511a-4bf4-9a42-63d1250fe9e9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NotePayableMaximumAdditionalBorrowing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_mac_NotePayableMaximumAdditionalBorrowing_b221072c-511a-4bf4-9a42-63d1250fe9e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_49bddb79-a058-4381-b175-e038f449b1b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_49bddb79-a058-4381-b175-e038f449b1b3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentContingentOnCertainConditionsBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_53162bfb-b713-4ce5-a2b6-c9b33ff415aa" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DebtInstrumentContingentOnCertainConditionsBasisSpreadOnVariableRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentContingentOnCertainConditionsBasisSpreadOnVariableRate_53162bfb-b713-4ce5-a2b6-c9b33ff415aa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_3e21defc-9728-4a08-8b21-074fbd28b343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_3e21defc-9728-4a08-8b21-074fbd28b343" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable_b90b2cbe-74e9-412e-86df-b695d9509c03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable_b90b2cbe-74e9-412e-86df-b695d9509c03" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties_0bccebe6-16c1-4330-93b7-5051020beac9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties_0bccebe6-16c1-4330-93b7-5051020beac9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm_bfd6f018-fe4c-47af-8402-81732cdaebb1" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm_bfd6f018-fe4c-47af-8402-81732cdaebb1" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_20153290-76e3-4d5e-8f51-27b524f90aa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_20153290-76e3-4d5e-8f51-27b524f90aa4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent_5d5750a0-5fff-4690-bd47-950abc7a7925" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent_5d5750a0-5fff-4690-bd47-950abc7a7925" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_3fda3f66-f720-4cc9-81e9-3c617363dc13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_3fda3f66-f720-4cc9-81e9-3c617363dc13" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_d04ba7c9-467c-4bf4-91e2-b553e099d9b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_34d0f6ad-9bce-44ee-957e-7ae75715e25a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_34d0f6ad-9bce-44ee-957e-7ae75715e25a" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_50a65f16-6e81-4c6c-aad5-8702e9cc532b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_50a65f16-6e81-4c6c-aad5-8702e9cc532b" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstateAndRealEstateJointVentures_84aa5eec-fd2f-430b-9be8-b1e79c29dc19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstateAndRealEstateJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireRealEstateAndRealEstateJointVentures_84aa5eec-fd2f-430b-9be8-b1e79c29dc19" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate_24748d59-94b8-49e0-a66d-80b3e62bde20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate_24748d59-94b8-49e0-a66d-80b3e62bde20" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_a76dde35-f39a-4506-86a7-535c3dadb973" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_a76dde35-f39a-4506-86a7-535c3dadb973" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture_e5cf9ea1-bf7d-4136-bfad-53037d66abd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture_e5cf9ea1-bf7d-4136-bfad-53037d66abd3" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_04a9685e-dfd0-4deb-86d1-da75e03e6ff5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a2ba19f0-a8bf-420b-8623-c577aed8631c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_204c6c05-85ff-4852-adfd-beade2b8659f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a2ba19f0-a8bf-420b-8623-c577aed8631c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_0382db34-1ad1-47ad-84e1-6a03797a388d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_a2ba19f0-a8bf-420b-8623-c577aed8631c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_0382db34-1ad1-47ad-84e1-6a03797a388d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f7fbed74-0358-43f9-bfc5-eb1869365b87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_aa1438be-14ca-4a6a-b5fc-072a41ae04c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f7fbed74-0358-43f9-bfc5-eb1869365b87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_e83cc465-347d-487f-8f64-3cb69359777a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f7fbed74-0358-43f9-bfc5-eb1869365b87" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_e83cc465-347d-487f-8f64-3cb69359777a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_1daa076b-e098-4b65-a4ae-014a2bf34254" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_5078eb15-6b58-45a4-b1da-b344c288370f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_5078eb15-6b58-45a4-b1da-b344c288370f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsTowerMember_1b97212b-cd97-42e3-827b-5facdee42242" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsTowerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsTowerMember_1b97212b-cd97-42e3-827b-5facdee42242" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember_b3ebe4d4-11f8-4946-9890-39a89651a5b9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_HPPMACWSPLLCOneWestsideMember_b3ebe4d4-11f8-4946-9890-39a89651a5b9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember_0e0d440c-a892-4ffa-9661-3b0f17605e7e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_TysonsCornerLLCMember_0e0d440c-a892-4ffa-9661-3b0f17605e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FlatIronCrossingMember_fd0c31c0-f8ae-478c-9884-16648eb24499" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FlatIronCrossingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_FlatIronCrossingMember_fd0c31c0-f8ae-478c-9884-16648eb24499" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheShopsAtAtlasParkMember_90c4698d-3328-4b2c-b865-bcdaa75a022f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheShopsAtAtlasParkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheShopsAtAtlasParkMember_90c4698d-3328-4b2c-b865-bcdaa75a022f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember_f79664bc-f698-44ae-88bc-2083736920ab" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_WestAcresDevelopmentLLPMember_f79664bc-f698-44ae-88bc-2083736920ab" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_a43481be-6971-44a0-aa37-b9ea913fb4f6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_a43481be-6971-44a0-aa37-b9ea913fb4f6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember_ca12c767-bc9c-488d-8398-c24841a0eff0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember_ca12c767-bc9c-488d-8398-c24841a0eff0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NorthWabashChicagoIllinoisMember_0397919d-b38a-42bd-9b90-b79bef36df45" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NorthWabashChicagoIllinoisMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_cd97f778-ca00-490e-9fa9-2ba62d95aa22" xlink:to="loc_mac_NorthWabashChicagoIllinoisMember_0397919d-b38a-42bd-9b90-b79bef36df45" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_d160aa99-eabd-41f5-860b-a00be9822639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_4920bae7-9e51-476c-a7e3-baa412f4ed21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_d160aa99-eabd-41f5-860b-a00be9822639" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_7e3dde3a-928f-4f5b-a7c6-15d858942368" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_d160aa99-eabd-41f5-860b-a00be9822639" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_7e3dde3a-928f-4f5b-a7c6-15d858942368" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateMember_f27c2a8c-fe07-44bf-a605-d36359b2fc92" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_d160aa99-eabd-41f5-860b-a00be9822639" xlink:to="loc_mac_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateMember_f27c2a8c-fe07-44bf-a605-d36359b2fc92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_baa62a1a-6efe-494d-b594-31f0310a3e43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_RedevelopmentConstructionLoanMember_1fcd6d51-af27-476e-a63c-98c048116bee" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_RedevelopmentConstructionLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:to="loc_mac_RedevelopmentConstructionLoanMember_1fcd6d51-af27-476e-a63c-98c048116bee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_InitialFundingMember_7afa0b4a-9b89-43df-bb4d-5ce47176b7ce" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_InitialFundingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:to="loc_mac_InitialFundingMember_7afa0b4a-9b89-43df-bb4d-5ce47176b7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FutureAdvancePotentialMember_5f656d32-474d-456a-8a96-3f4dd80cf7e9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FutureAdvancePotentialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:to="loc_mac_FutureAdvancePotentialMember_5f656d32-474d-456a-8a96-3f4dd80cf7e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GeneralCorporatePurposesMember_812d56bf-40bb-4bb4-82a0-7dbe6f48e5dc" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GeneralCorporatePurposesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_720835ab-5d9b-4fcb-a934-16e323574dd4" xlink:to="loc_mac_GeneralCorporatePurposesMember_812d56bf-40bb-4bb4-82a0-7dbe6f48e5dc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9dcd159d-79bd-4676-9397-7e4ea507485b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_c9814a3b-0d2f-4f8e-a8a8-cf8230698c8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9dcd159d-79bd-4676-9397-7e4ea507485b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_69252514-b7df-446b-979c-2efc69e9e2f2" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9dcd159d-79bd-4676-9397-7e4ea507485b" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_69252514-b7df-446b-979c-2efc69e9e2f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_09ebc9fe-e114-4b7a-95e0-33af69a48dca" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9dcd159d-79bd-4676-9397-7e4ea507485b" xlink:to="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_09ebc9fe-e114-4b7a-95e0-33af69a48dca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d938e3e9-3d07-4794-9624-b51bbf72816e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_1b753f44-652f-4705-8805-dd6fc35e9899" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d938e3e9-3d07-4794-9624-b51bbf72816e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_7ffc8a2b-aa00-48f1-8b29-542f957ac17d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d938e3e9-3d07-4794-9624-b51bbf72816e" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_7ffc8a2b-aa00-48f1-8b29-542f957ac17d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ce626d5f-73f4-48b2-9c86-9975b577b538" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_d938e3e9-3d07-4794-9624-b51bbf72816e" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ce626d5f-73f4-48b2-9c86-9975b577b538" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7a2ac987-115e-4f08-a74c-d45f08215311" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_bc7e9de7-3f4f-44c8-b58a-f3cb1ea5ce24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e2f89fb4-77f1-4944-9a61-af0046e3fb6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_bc7e9de7-3f4f-44c8-b58a-f3cb1ea5ce24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_8eb59ae5-2713-4afc-bdd0-f90ea9d47530" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_bc7e9de7-3f4f-44c8-b58a-f3cb1ea5ce24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_8eb59ae5-2713-4afc-bdd0-f90ea9d47530" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedBalanceSheetsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedBalanceSheetsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedBalanceSheetsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3b00456aa1904101943e7e3804e41e1e_InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedBalanceSheetsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_2846c258-dc2c-42b0-b700-2c16f885d716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_2846c258-dc2c-42b0-b700-2c16f885d716" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_8808f439-0b2d-4d08-8336-0e8d48822141" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_2846c258-dc2c-42b0-b700-2c16f885d716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization_8808f439-0b2d-4d08-8336-0e8d48822141" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_1018248a-fef1-4437-b3e3-17c002e931f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_2846c258-dc2c-42b0-b700-2c16f885d716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_1018248a-fef1-4437-b3e3-17c002e931f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_52aff8ff-6a03-4a5d-92b5-bca97c4c5b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_2846c258-dc2c-42b0-b700-2c16f885d716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_52aff8ff-6a03-4a5d-92b5-bca97c4c5b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_a7afab88-3031-443c-8502-fce59e022ed7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_a7afab88-3031-443c-8502-fce59e022ed7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_d5b9e2e6-d113-42fa-93d6-11fc0e283483" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_d5b9e2e6-d113-42fa-93d6-11fc0e283483" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_7b5b471f-7f4c-4c3c-a712-50dc5a6b717a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_7b5b471f-7f4c-4c3c-a712-50dc5a6b717a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquityOrCapitalOtherInterests_63057a58-c7d1-45af-bb24-6d5f3a6fd3ba" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquityOrCapitalOtherInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationEquityOrCapitalOtherInterests_63057a58-c7d1-45af-bb24-6d5f3a6fd3ba" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_b4180ddb-949a-4f95-92fd-bae23a28b0dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_e094aee3-b1e1-4ad4-90e2-99f188fbee6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_b4180ddb-949a-4f95-92fd-bae23a28b0dd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract_7a3d2c2d-e7e8-42c8-8fdb-b7100013ff4b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract_7a3d2c2d-e7e8-42c8-8fdb-b7100013ff4b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets_d0c34192-3119-4711-bee1-bb18691d41ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_73a12c29-5318-4284-b505-65da65f22528" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract_7a3d2c2d-e7e8-42c8-8fdb-b7100013ff4b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_73a12c29-5318-4284-b505-65da65f22528" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentsNet_4e71cbd2-40d4-4cce-93c5-5db6ff0e344d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquityMethodInvestmentsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVenturesAbstract_7a3d2c2d-e7e8-42c8-8fdb-b7100013ff4b" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentsNet_4e71cbd2-40d4-4cce-93c5-5db6ff0e344d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_85c0d3bf-21f8-4d36-b7bd-55b870583b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_85c0d3bf-21f8-4d36-b7bd-55b870583b79" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentures_ef7d55c4-18fa-4216-8511-120378ed641d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_mac_InvestmentsInUnconsolidatedJointVentures_ef7d55c4-18fa-4216-8511-120378ed641d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentsNet_85cb4078-b714-4f28-883d-1c68b2baa445" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquityMethodInvestmentsNet"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48dbede7-713e-4223-a3c1-15dee5c038be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_8546acda-b8f9-4cba-ab12-69a7babb9a5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48dbede7-713e-4223-a3c1-15dee5c038be" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48dbede7-713e-4223-a3c1-15dee5c038be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_75dd3d86-8d8e-4782-a51b-682855a30a37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_3e976918-6af9-47d3-b468-4dd8fc32273b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_75dd3d86-8d8e-4782-a51b-682855a30a37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_0b6ca068-6f90-427c-a485-76118caeb40a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_75dd3d86-8d8e-4782-a51b-682855a30a37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_0b6ca068-6f90-427c-a485-76118caeb40a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_48dbede7-713e-4223-a3c1-15dee5c038be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_f4d64f6d-4bd3-4a6a-b7fa-d25412bbe6d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_2054f573-0480-4fc2-afba-90d5456fd23e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_f4d64f6d-4bd3-4a6a-b7fa-d25412bbe6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_13ad454e-4802-40ec-9bd8-03996d16a6fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_f4d64f6d-4bd3-4a6a-b7fa-d25412bbe6d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_13ad454e-4802-40ec-9bd8-03996d16a6fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesBalanceSheetfootnotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesBalanceSheetfootnotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesBalanceSheetfootnotesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9d1c07ee55db403c930d779eb0ec554a_InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesBalanceSheetfootnotesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_680a2286-5426-4465-8ecb-13234f3d161d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_817762e4-d890-4057-88d7-9ad6288cd18a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_680a2286-5426-4465-8ecb-13234f3d161d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_817762e4-d890-4057-88d7-9ad6288cd18a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_9adf7b6a-86fb-4e3b-9b9d-d173f0ed1807" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_680a2286-5426-4465-8ecb-13234f3d161d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_9adf7b6a-86fb-4e3b-9b9d-d173f0ed1807" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentAmortizationOfDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_2654f60a-94be-4e14-93bb-39c7f037f91d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquityMethodInvestmentAmortizationOfDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_680a2286-5426-4465-8ecb-13234f3d161d" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquityMethodInvestmentAmortizationOfDifferenceBetweenCarryingAmountAndUnderlyingEquity_2654f60a-94be-4e14-93bb-39c7f037f91d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_e1515160-a74e-4612-a2d4-8801f9c71c6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_680a2286-5426-4465-8ecb-13234f3d161d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_e1515160-a74e-4612-a2d4-8801f9c71c6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_e1515160-a74e-4612-a2d4-8801f9c71c6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_30c1a390-1a58-45c8-8485-761cf2d0b35c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e54236d5-afd3-4056-8c5e-673ebe700b3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_30c1a390-1a58-45c8-8485-761cf2d0b35c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_b897d217-9e28-46a1-ba14-88b12b077ee2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_30c1a390-1a58-45c8-8485-761cf2d0b35c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_b897d217-9e28-46a1-ba14-88b12b077ee2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_e1515160-a74e-4612-a2d4-8801f9c71c6f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_08168958-67a4-41a8-863f-516e5ee2085a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_8836e7bf-1103-4d16-88dd-64de9696b060" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_08168958-67a4-41a8-863f-516e5ee2085a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember_c1bfbcc5-9e37-4431-9e02-95c9e4ccc450" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_08168958-67a4-41a8-863f-516e5ee2085a" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLLCMember_c1bfbcc5-9e37-4431-9e02-95c9e4ccc450" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_e1515160-a74e-4612-a2d4-8801f9c71c6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_2aac5310-fda0-4062-932a-23c464072d1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_98717f33-1855-4099-addd-345ede4cc13b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_2aac5310-fda0-4062-932a-23c464072d1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember_14bc09ee-ef29-4918-96aa-1e52fdce5760" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_2aac5310-fda0-4062-932a-23c464072d1b" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember_14bc09ee-ef29-4918-96aa-1e52fdce5760" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedStatementsofOperationsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedStatementsofOperationsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedStatementsofOperationsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0d575ec32fbe44c8ac3e4010b79f5f5d_InvestmentsinUnconsolidatedJointVenturesCombinedCondensedStatementsofOperationsofUnconsolidatedJointVenturesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_092ad172-08bd-4858-a159-656e58d17cc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_092ad172-08bd-4858-a159-656e58d17cc0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_654d2699-3d60-4275-aee4-6f89a9bf77cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_092ad172-08bd-4858-a159-656e58d17cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_654d2699-3d60-4275-aee4-6f89a9bf77cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_69e74063-eb9f-459c-8b73-10bc55506391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_092ad172-08bd-4858-a159-656e58d17cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_69e74063-eb9f-459c-8b73-10bc55506391" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_18797b3b-00e9-4386-bda9-e1ddc038b5f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_092ad172-08bd-4858-a159-656e58d17cc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_18797b3b-00e9-4386-bda9-e1ddc038b5f5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_e53f05a0-bef1-461e-8da6-2ac4b1ba6524" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_e53f05a0-bef1-461e-8da6-2ac4b1ba6524" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseInitialDirectCostExpenseOverTerm_046145e8-dbd4-4495-9f9d-f808a65a73b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseInitialDirectCostExpenseOverTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseInitialDirectCostExpenseOverTerm_046145e8-dbd4-4495-9f9d-f808a65a73b5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_e541fcf1-f400-4fc6-bcf5-5a0834863dc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_e541fcf1-f400-4fc6-bcf5-5a0834863dc6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_ad3540ee-8977-4a76-851c-b9834b69e127" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_ad3540ee-8977-4a76-851c-b9834b69e127" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_4196ca1a-566b-4bec-9497-9528b64bddcd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_57ed28f5-0700-4b6c-9e2a-640ab267885d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_4196ca1a-566b-4bec-9497-9528b64bddcd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_97ff2c26-42a9-4172-a390-caa646f0a98e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_97ff2c26-42a9-4172-a390-caa646f0a98e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_bc0327cf-0978-456d-bc4f-a00ac9a31bc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_bc0327cf-0978-456d-bc4f-a00ac9a31bc4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_48e195aa-6df2-47b8-97cb-71be6fcd5160" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_48e195aa-6df2-47b8-97cb-71be6fcd5160" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsLineItems_a926699a-2704-437f-abcf-ec431e633992" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_fc6c8a97-7e03-4532-8fcc-883ef3d4e62d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeAxis_95c08fde-cddf-4588-afa5-2edcc2ccb255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_fc6c8a97-7e03-4532-8fcc-883ef3d4e62d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_7e7a162a-08ba-4444-bc73-ae6f59d6d5fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeDomain_fc6c8a97-7e03-4532-8fcc-883ef3d4e62d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNonconsolidatedInvesteeOrGroupOfInvesteesMember_7e7a162a-08ba-4444-bc73-ae6f59d6d5fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c6a37fdd-cd6a-4d4c-b65b-61a4236eb01f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_21e34395-6287-4cc9-8af5-2db5fe21707f" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c6a37fdd-cd6a-4d4c-b65b-61a4236eb01f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember_8cc94071-b62f-4980-8ad4-e08e40955cea" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c6a37fdd-cd6a-4d4c-b65b-61a4236eb01f" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificPremierRetailLPMember_8cc94071-b62f-4980-8ad4-e08e40955cea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_OtherJointVenturesMember_5b7f8e6e-d6c3-4b49-967b-1fed8d4b1da1" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_OtherJointVenturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c6a37fdd-cd6a-4d4c-b65b-61a4236eb01f" xlink:to="loc_mac_OtherJointVenturesMember_5b7f8e6e-d6c3-4b49-967b-1fed8d4b1da1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b512843f-eddb-44ab-ae9e-f12a0e1f6baf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_b42e1337-82a2-449a-95f7-28232e9dedaa" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b512843f-eddb-44ab-ae9e-f12a0e1f6baf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember_3c4c34b0-943b-4f97-9b84-faaf21ec9a7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b512843f-eddb-44ab-ae9e-f12a0e1f6baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateOtherMember_3c4c34b0-943b-4f97-9b84-faaf21ec9a7b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateMember_30c09f93-cf50-4ddb-8005-9e37f03a1cee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_b512843f-eddb-44ab-ae9e-f12a0e1f6baf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateMember_30c09f93-cf50-4ddb-8005-9e37f03a1cee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentsTable_7b7d6ea1-b7e5-4e49-9aea-374d87ba0059" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2bf1e8c2-7937-4280-be97-b8a66855cef3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_e676ff68-f6c3-4262-a107-ad46f07f6c67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2bf1e8c2-7937-4280-be97-b8a66855cef3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_a4155dcb-477c-47e2-b0e9-0e6e983397f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2bf1e8c2-7937-4280-be97-b8a66855cef3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_a4155dcb-477c-47e2-b0e9-0e6e983397f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i60eb740e503145b59f52978f6789ca0b_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_5099d8a6-284d-4d80-be13-f878b8f5e30e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_e2144d52-ed01-490c-bf19-471690636db6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_5099d8a6-284d-4d80-be13-f878b8f5e30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_e2144d52-ed01-490c-bf19-471690636db6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeVariableInterestRate_ec27881d-881a-4c32-b0b7-5c04bf1bc2e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_5099d8a6-284d-4d80-be13-f878b8f5e30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeVariableInterestRate_ec27881d-881a-4c32-b0b7-5c04bf1bc2e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_9ca5696c-5d55-472a-9921-efcc7af5ca7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_5099d8a6-284d-4d80-be13-f878b8f5e30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_9ca5696c-5d55-472a-9921-efcc7af5ca7a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_e2211e1b-81bd-4e1b-8d39-1712523cccec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_5099d8a6-284d-4d80-be13-f878b8f5e30e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_e2211e1b-81bd-4e1b-8d39-1712523cccec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_e2211e1b-81bd-4e1b-8d39-1712523cccec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2718228e-b151-498c-b0fa-18c94442c831" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1276c303-8daf-46ce-a6fe-e0029fa3ca74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2718228e-b151-498c-b0fa-18c94442c831" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a0c69dec-a10a-4a69-bb78-69fed7773bad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2718228e-b151-498c-b0fa-18c94442c831" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a0c69dec-a10a-4a69-bb78-69fed7773bad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_e2211e1b-81bd-4e1b-8d39-1712523cccec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c9543d4b-b2ab-4a95-bd39-62aee48f9dc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_3ca93152-ccc7-4fb0-b4ac-cf1b36158d92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c9543d4b-b2ab-4a95-bd39-62aee48f9dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_f256b2b5-3182-491f-9082-e5f7e989c30f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c9543d4b-b2ab-4a95-bd39-62aee48f9dc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember_f256b2b5-3182-491f-9082-e5f7e989c30f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_968c3a70-afb2-4f1c-84e6-41164e44d85b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_c9543d4b-b2ab-4a95-bd39-62aee48f9dc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_968c3a70-afb2-4f1c-84e6-41164e44d85b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/PropertynetScheduleofLossGainonSaleorWritedownofAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#PropertynetScheduleofLossGainonSaleorWritedownofAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/PropertynetScheduleofLossGainonSaleorWritedownofAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idcea8a66aae249dc8fd883fdf514114b_PropertynetScheduleofLossGainonSaleorWritedownofAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_9d695264-93a0-462d-90af-11f4022ed187" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_9d695264-93a0-462d-90af-11f4022ed187" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_f41e77a4-24cc-41de-b1bc-7adcaf365d5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfRealEstate_f41e77a4-24cc-41de-b1bc-7adcaf365d5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_ad9a814c-4574-4d5d-bbc8-17ae28b33cc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_ad9a814c-4574-4d5d-bbc8-17ae28b33cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_82c255e2-ebdc-43b9-8543-147a8182e10e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_82c255e2-ebdc-43b9-8543-147a8182e10e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_7e8e499d-aeec-47c6-9fb4-fe0984a7a53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8c218919-28e7-4c58-be5b-00c0ec39e8fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_739572c5-35aa-4d5f-a626-ace60ae3d2e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8c218919-28e7-4c58-be5b-00c0ec39e8fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember_34059a36-e853-46dc-911f-0dbce9d2bf96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8c218919-28e7-4c58-be5b-00c0ec39e8fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember_34059a36-e853-46dc-911f-0dbce9d2bf96" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_6b7beaaa-8c6d-4494-a106-7d35c1cc2508" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8c218919-28e7-4c58-be5b-00c0ec39e8fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_6b7beaaa-8c6d-4494-a106-7d35c1cc2508" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d6840984-815c-4ccd-ad59-ba77f83d9e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_32dfec17-344f-4d3b-8a84-7e6dab954d9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d6840984-815c-4ccd-ad59-ba77f83d9e94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_150bb565-6f34-4656-954c-25eaa100823a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d6840984-815c-4ccd-ad59-ba77f83d9e94" xlink:to="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_150bb565-6f34-4656-954c-25eaa100823a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EstrellaFallsMember_5fdb357e-5d9c-4dca-8170-40e5f1697313" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EstrellaFallsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d6840984-815c-4ccd-ad59-ba77f83d9e94" xlink:to="loc_mac_EstrellaFallsMember_5fdb357e-5d9c-4dca-8170-40e5f1697313" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_WiltonMallMember_ef3ebf1f-a4aa-4b3c-a2dc-96b70ed3ce58" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_WiltonMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d6840984-815c-4ccd-ad59-ba77f83d9e94" xlink:to="loc_mac_WiltonMallMember_ef3ebf1f-a4aa-4b3c-a2dc-96b70ed3ce58" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_53e173a4-d854-4ba5-b2d2-4f18e250b580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_fcdeca7b-da14-4a64-a720-d6386a602c0d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_53e173a4-d854-4ba5-b2d2-4f18e250b580" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember_7ab7ab63-d05c-4490-b39e-61ccf3cda052" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_53e173a4-d854-4ba5-b2d2-4f18e250b580" xlink:to="loc_mac_NorthBridgeChicagoIllinoisMember_7ab7ab63-d05c-4490-b39e-61ccf3cda052" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_d7db8f92-6c06-46c9-ad7b-90744f65caec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_667dcc34-0bee-4c64-9c8e-180b5e443697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_201a1c60-3598-491b-bb89-727b84292aaa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_667dcc34-0bee-4c64-9c8e-180b5e443697" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_ddadf0be-9f14-4ecf-a3c0-6a09ef807759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_667dcc34-0bee-4c64-9c8e-180b5e443697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_ddadf0be-9f14-4ecf-a3c0-6a09ef807759" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/PropertynetAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#PropertynetAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/PropertynetAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3f880332a32a4c3bba9b7ba39a4d6f39_PropertynetAssetsMeasuredonaNonrecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_932fe125-5a46-48f2-b6c5-7cd45fbe6616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_414b57ed-adb8-43f9-94dd-a567458be677" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_932fe125-5a46-48f2-b6c5-7cd45fbe6616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_414b57ed-adb8-43f9-94dd-a567458be677" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_e52e5b9d-a871-40a6-8bd1-0643981fb616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_932fe125-5a46-48f2-b6c5-7cd45fbe6616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_e52e5b9d-a871-40a6-8bd1-0643981fb616" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_e52e5b9d-a871-40a6-8bd1-0643981fb616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_33952e81-05b2-4549-ac21-4d78f7573179" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_98a03c3d-d7a5-43bd-b850-e6b18dcd6324" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_33952e81-05b2-4549-ac21-4d78f7573179" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_cbfd88cb-5ed0-45b2-81a3-268a148aa97a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_33952e81-05b2-4549-ac21-4d78f7573179" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsNonrecurringMember_cbfd88cb-5ed0-45b2-81a3-268a148aa97a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_e52e5b9d-a871-40a6-8bd1-0643981fb616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_421c8854-0f02-4d9a-a18e-a25e4070ae6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_3d624bd8-963b-40ec-bd0a-7e7048b3a51b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_421c8854-0f02-4d9a-a18e-a25e4070ae6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_decf8e69-e90e-4966-8c24-9346d4b23131" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_421c8854-0f02-4d9a-a18e-a25e4070ae6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_decf8e69-e90e-4966-8c24-9346d4b23131" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_b64c6fa6-c676-49d7-b523-ddc14bee7bf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_421c8854-0f02-4d9a-a18e-a25e4070ae6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_b64c6fa6-c676-49d7-b523-ddc14bee7bf3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_274c516f-03ab-4feb-a37f-51d0e0638eed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_421c8854-0f02-4d9a-a18e-a25e4070ae6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_274c516f-03ab-4feb-a37f-51d0e0638eed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/TenantandOtherReceivablesnetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#TenantandOtherReceivablesnetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/TenantandOtherReceivablesnetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idc6c5aa64f514dde90ab9f96aadd922c_TenantandOtherReceivablesnetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_0d69fb0b-5974-44d7-804b-24d141c7b2f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsPremiumsAndOtherReceivables_109926ee-8be2-4cf0-bcfb-510a1d05b372" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsPremiumsAndOtherReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_0d69fb0b-5974-44d7-804b-24d141c7b2f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsPremiumsAndOtherReceivables_109926ee-8be2-4cf0-bcfb-510a1d05b372" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross_7dc352de-c62c-4592-a4b6-565a0c17387d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_0d69fb0b-5974-44d7-804b-24d141c7b2f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGross_7dc352de-c62c-4592-a4b6-565a0c17387d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet_9351f798-f546-4ce2-af90-4ea6718336f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_0d69fb0b-5974-44d7-804b-24d141c7b2f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRentReceivablesNet_9351f798-f546-4ce2-af90-4ea6718336f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_03ba6e28-644d-474b-92ae-890d0d380799" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_0d69fb0b-5974-44d7-804b-24d141c7b2f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_03ba6e28-644d-474b-92ae-890d0d380799" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_03ba6e28-644d-474b-92ae-890d0d380799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_65cd0828-aa0b-42ad-a371-5267b878b4d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_ff53fd4b-534d-4537-93ad-be957d459d0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_65cd0828-aa0b-42ad-a371-5267b878b4d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedIncomeReceivableMember_19b6a14a-7c59-4b03-875b-528de5de2eb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedIncomeReceivableMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_65cd0828-aa0b-42ad-a371-5267b878b4d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedIncomeReceivableMember_19b6a14a-7c59-4b03-875b-528de5de2eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofdeferredchargesandotherassetsnetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofdeferredchargesandotherassetsnetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofdeferredchargesandotherassetsnetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib49709186ba44202b229c68ae92242cf_DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofdeferredchargesandotherassetsnetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_eb99c4e8-b319-4ae3-ade7-44f3fa9cb06d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_e4a9bc0b-8d8e-4714-bbcb-54549ca0cb03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_eb99c4e8-b319-4ae3-ade7-44f3fa9cb06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_e4a9bc0b-8d8e-4714-bbcb-54549ca0cb03" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_e9ff6476-cb6e-4798-877c-91df9821424a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_eb99c4e8-b319-4ae3-ade7-44f3fa9cb06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_e9ff6476-cb6e-4798-877c-91df9821424a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_b58f975b-1cd5-4759-81df-183b917f0ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_eb99c4e8-b319-4ae3-ade7-44f3fa9cb06d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_b58f975b-1cd5-4759-81df-183b917f0ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_b58f975b-1cd5-4759-81df-183b917f0ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b30876fd-f2ac-42c5-b005-a061c0051f66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_45ec7a04-bd01-4d6a-9871-ae3713885b1e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b30876fd-f2ac-42c5-b005-a061c0051f66" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_9247bf71-e49e-4018-9f69-18e1c3d318e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_b30876fd-f2ac-42c5-b005-a061c0051f66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeasesAcquiredInPlaceMember_9247bf71-e49e-4018-9f69-18e1c3d318e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetAllocatedvaluesofabovemarketleasesandbelowmarketleasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetAllocatedvaluesofabovemarketleasesandbelowmarketleasesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetAllocatedvaluesofabovemarketleasesandbelowmarketleasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if8c23c7ba32b41729b26446cd124fb9a_DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetAllocatedvaluesofabovemarketleasesandbelowmarketleasesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_b91bfce9-4e92-49a4-96a2-6724ba815e67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract_39e3964c-22c2-4cab-a2ec-c12b1b9d2ac0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_b91bfce9-4e92-49a4-96a2-6724ba815e67" xlink:to="loc_mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract_39e3964c-22c2-4cab-a2ec-c12b1b9d2ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_309f1ab5-0be1-4635-ae23-c880c9ef9ceb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract_39e3964c-22c2-4cab-a2ec-c12b1b9d2ac0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_309f1ab5-0be1-4635-ae23-c880c9ef9ceb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_24420530-aa04-4837-9949-25b3cdc59458" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract_39e3964c-22c2-4cab-a2ec-c12b1b9d2ac0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_24420530-aa04-4837-9949-25b3cdc59458" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_e02a101c-bb30-403e-9da5-f3bd64368921" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_AboveMarketLeasesAbstract_39e3964c-22c2-4cab-a2ec-c12b1b9d2ac0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_e02a101c-bb30-403e-9da5-f3bd64368921" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract_4fe54256-99bb-4adc-8648-7af433554f09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_b91bfce9-4e92-49a4-96a2-6724ba815e67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract_4fe54256-99bb-4adc-8648-7af433554f09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseGross_8a2764fa-e42d-4a9e-a3d9-236fe7c634dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract_4fe54256-99bb-4adc-8648-7af433554f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseGross_8a2764fa-e42d-4a9e-a3d9-236fe7c634dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAccumulatedAmortization_0b131d28-7b18-4290-96f7-fb9f8d6b0835" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract_4fe54256-99bb-4adc-8648-7af433554f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAccumulatedAmortization_0b131d28-7b18-4290-96f7-fb9f8d6b0835" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_0184721a-6025-43f7-b125-4f3437f16a1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAbstract_4fe54256-99bb-4adc-8648-7af433554f09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_0184721a-6025-43f7-b125-4f3437f16a1d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_7f56ecc4-9fc9-4ddd-a9d9-bce26df84a39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_b91bfce9-4e92-49a4-96a2-6724ba815e67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_7f56ecc4-9fc9-4ddd-a9d9-bce26df84a39" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_7f56ecc4-9fc9-4ddd-a9d9-bce26df84a39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3bf4eef1-1a7f-4c01-8fa5-03ea37999fd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ea0ba60d-ff69-431d-ae78-09b573d49bf9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3bf4eef1-1a7f-4c01-8fa5-03ea37999fd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_f32bc32e-d146-458e-b9e8-9f92f557cd2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3bf4eef1-1a7f-4c01-8fa5-03ea37999fd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_f32bc32e-d146-458e-b9e8-9f92f557cd2e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember_def987a4-7c8c-4e7d-a70e-1ef2c796df0b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_3bf4eef1-1a7f-4c01-8fa5-03ea37999fd1" xlink:to="loc_mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember_def987a4-7c8c-4e7d-a70e-1ef2c796df0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofestimatedamortizationofallocatedvaluesofaboveandbelowmarketleasesforthenextfiveyearsandthereafterDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofestimatedamortizationofallocatedvaluesofaboveandbelowmarketleasesforthenextfiveyearsandthereafterDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofestimatedamortizationofallocatedvaluesofaboveandbelowmarketleasesforthenextfiveyearsandthereafterDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i44c6acab384b4a57812875bea9b6d3d5_DeferredChargesandOtherAssetsnetScheduleofestimatedamortizationofallocatedvaluesofaboveandbelowmarketleasesforthenextfiveyearsandthereafterDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_86605f3c-6a98-4bd3-800d-797f285fd146" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_86605f3c-6a98-4bd3-800d-797f285fd146" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths_67291342-dcd8-4829-bcae-d8b9d40fc7d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths_67291342-dcd8-4829-bcae-d8b9d40fc7d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo_1376e16e-046d-4e14-8ebf-99601d0d9463" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo_1376e16e-046d-4e14-8ebf-99601d0d9463" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree_50d6a23b-f3de-4238-b2f4-521a9df0c8d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree_50d6a23b-f3de-4238-b2f4-521a9df0c8d9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour_8c04f88f-1630-4723-8e43-69105c57af89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour_8c04f88f-1630-4723-8e43-69105c57af89" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive_28cba1c1-b0bf-4756-84cc-ca138da940a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive_28cba1c1-b0bf-4756-84cc-ca138da940a1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive_3e7d4b75-ea07-4c51-b304-79bb249fba2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive_3e7d4b75-ea07-4c51-b304-79bb249fba2d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_320030ac-90f5-41b6-b134-ec492fcc4b71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseAbstract_38565738-dee9-4f81-9312-edd412e510f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_320030ac-90f5-41b6-b134-ec492fcc4b71" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_86605f3c-6a98-4bd3-800d-797f285fd146" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeNextTwelveMonths_4acb8059-18fc-46d2-9aac-5a03924d2dc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeNextTwelveMonths_4acb8059-18fc-46d2-9aac-5a03924d2dc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearTwo_007ed347-5940-49c2-ac7f-1b695c2e319a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearTwo_007ed347-5940-49c2-ac7f-1b695c2e319a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearThree_649114bb-954d-4e35-a1b6-5a3341ab77cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearThree_649114bb-954d-4e35-a1b6-5a3341ab77cd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFour_45f5025d-ed45-4630-8124-f6cdba19bf07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFour_45f5025d-ed45-4630-8124-f6cdba19bf07" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFive_68fcc3e4-4e3c-40b1-abd8-a0b70743a45a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeYearFive_68fcc3e4-4e3c-40b1-abd8-a0b70743a45a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeAfterYearFive_3d1a5d31-91b4-44d1-b483-54ccf1d2f4da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseAmortizationIncomeAfterYearFive_3d1a5d31-91b4-44d1-b483-54ccf1d2f4da" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_240e4a1c-05d9-4447-9a5c-54f45f88e1b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNetAmortizationIncomeFiscalYearMaturityAbstract_1622bae1-8651-45eb-8a73-ed2f094789cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BelowMarketLeaseNet_240e4a1c-05d9-4447-9a5c-54f45f88e1b9" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_04613b00-de0d-42d0-9f58-76c33b85b70c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_86605f3c-6a98-4bd3-800d-797f285fd146" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_04613b00-de0d-42d0-9f58-76c33b85b70c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetByMajorClassTable_04613b00-de0d-42d0-9f58-76c33b85b70c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_56496127-b209-47cf-9010-b87cef591a25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_d4babd63-b93b-44dc-9b31-d49d1e746677" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_56496127-b209-47cf-9010-b87cef591a25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_ac6e540b-b0ad-49df-bca8-14effe6a69c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_56496127-b209-47cf-9010-b87cef591a25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AboveMarketLeasesMember_ac6e540b-b0ad-49df-bca8-14effe6a69c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember_a184e569-5b5d-483b-ab42-22fb8ab91790" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_56496127-b209-47cf-9010-b87cef591a25" xlink:to="loc_mac_BelowMarketLeaseMember_a184e569-5b5d-483b-ab42-22fb8ab91790" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableScheduleofMortgageNotesPayableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableScheduleofMortgageNotesPayableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableScheduleofMortgageNotesPayableDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6be3b7b06d8c4188b252e10a4d30c81e_MortgageNotesPayableScheduleofMortgageNotesPayableDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_31ba44bc-59a4-47c7-9320-72cb86e4332b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e9f328b1-4c8e-46f7-ace6-92425cc1c36f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_31ba44bc-59a4-47c7-9320-72cb86e4332b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e9f328b1-4c8e-46f7-ace6-92425cc1c36f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_934ac94f-1ccc-4a40-bf23-415654fb634e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_31ba44bc-59a4-47c7-9320-72cb86e4332b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_934ac94f-1ccc-4a40-bf23-415654fb634e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_c53cb37b-d7c5-43b9-9bdc-9e73665d98fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_31ba44bc-59a4-47c7-9320-72cb86e4332b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_c53cb37b-d7c5-43b9-9bdc-9e73665d98fa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5b057f69-f461-4558-a9d4-50e12578337e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_31ba44bc-59a4-47c7-9320-72cb86e4332b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5b057f69-f461-4558-a9d4-50e12578337e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_5b057f69-f461-4558-a9d4-50e12578337e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_030cef71-bd00-4ad7-b157-cfacbae5b772" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_00b9ec0f-3b25-44fd-8b00-d0a1df185f82" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_00b9ec0f-3b25-44fd-8b00-d0a1df185f82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMortgageMember_96ac808d-2ab0-4f5e-89bf-97244ba83e49" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DanburyFairMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMortgageMember_96ac808d-2ab0-4f5e-89bf-97244ba83e49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_0fcdd8d8-bbd5-4039-bb68-75bb096dec6f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_0fcdd8d8-bbd5-4039-bb68-75bb096dec6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMortgageMember_1afaca2c-b0cb-4520-8144-68b69b6fb2a0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMortgageMember_1afaca2c-b0cb-4520-8144-68b69b6fb2a0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember_8cd38d62-1779-4d22-a761-c42d8d26409b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember_8cd38d62-1779-4d22-a761-c42d8d26409b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember_482078c1-d61d-4b19-99e0-64388bd699a5" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember_482078c1-d61d-4b19-99e0-64388bd699a5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FresnoFashionFairMember_f5938d59-b004-4b7a-a51c-3f172834dee1" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FresnoFashionFairMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_FresnoFashionFairMember_f5938d59-b004-4b7a-a51c-3f172834dee1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember_b01bbeee-677e-43b0-bb58-c121c9aa37a4" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember_b01bbeee-677e-43b0-bb58-c121c9aa37a4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember_2020b6ca-955f-48eb-a847-42f5e1a15b88" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember_2020b6ca-955f-48eb-a847-42f5e1a15b88" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_KingsPlazaMortgageMember_f2d3962d-2636-4ea8-9e9c-45c94b76b2cb" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_KingsPlazaMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_KingsPlazaMortgageMember_f2d3962d-2636-4ea8-9e9c-45c94b76b2cb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheOaksOneMortgageMember_20c7b5e2-7d01-46fd-b26d-a7943efe8111" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheOaksOneMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheOaksOneMortgageMember_20c7b5e2-7d01-46fd-b26d-a7943efe8111" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificViewMortgageMember_ced2f4ce-8793-40f3-9653-006960ec2623" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificViewMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificViewMortgageMember_ced2f4ce-8793-40f3-9653-006960ec2623" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_QueensCenterMember_34d53ca3-7915-4634-a107-c1488ad0bb16" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_QueensCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_QueensCenterMember_34d53ca3-7915-4634-a107-c1488ad0bb16" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMortgageMember_b19ce919-0517-4fa1-8285-2fd14db7c4ad" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMortgageMember_b19ce919-0517-4fa1-8285-2fd14db7c4ad" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMortgageMember_d42a4f62-87b6-49b8-beb7-21c92a399dcd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMortgageMember_d42a4f62-87b6-49b8-beb7-21c92a399dcd" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TowneMallMortgageMember_fe377494-6e0b-44af-adb0-2104ed82a459" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TowneMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_TowneMallMortgageMember_fe377494-6e0b-44af-adb0-2104ed82a459" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TucsonLaEncantadaMortgageMember_0abc27fd-4aa1-4585-92c9-fa32883ed910" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TucsonLaEncantadaMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_TucsonLaEncantadaMortgageMember_0abc27fd-4aa1-4585-92c9-fa32883ed910" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MallOfVictorValleyMortgageMember_9e4946c2-5805-4cf3-939c-0623126e2dd9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MallOfVictorValleyMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_MallOfVictorValleyMortgageMember_9e4946c2-5805-4cf3-939c-0623126e2dd9" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_VintageFaireMallMortgageMember_f166d2b6-a3fe-492c-a2eb-2578874ba6df" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_VintageFaireMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_18e88ca2-ddb8-45e0-9f5d-2b36c557975f" xlink:to="loc_mac_VintageFaireMallMortgageMember_f166d2b6-a3fe-492c-a2eb-2578874ba6df" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableFootnotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableFootnotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableFootnotesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if6cc99ecc0e649b09d535e204bf5bf71_MortgageNotesPayableFootnotesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_4e5e2dc6-6a09-46cf-b5c7-12aa75e18c15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_4e5e2dc6-6a09-46cf-b5c7-12aa75e18c15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PercentageOfLoanAssumedByThirdParty_456e9bc0-e496-4615-9047-a7fc2097cf7c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PercentageOfLoanAssumedByThirdParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_mac_PercentageOfLoanAssumedByThirdParty_456e9bc0-e496-4615-9047-a7fc2097cf7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_b0038a7b-bbef-468d-96b1-740fc2a56219" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_b0038a7b-bbef-468d-96b1-740fc2a56219" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm_804317d8-ed0e-465c-b6df-1624b9619f64" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_mac_DebtInstrumentExtensionTerm_804317d8-ed0e-465c-b6df-1624b9619f64" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_cc88246f-7c0b-481d-8449-35ea0ee303cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_cc88246f-7c0b-481d-8449-35ea0ee303cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate_11ae79ab-1bc2-494f-9e62-0ed538134e83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate_11ae79ab-1bc2-494f-9e62-0ed538134e83" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_44961117-e377-4720-ac95-4f95564e349c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_6a014bb2-3daa-4780-82b9-acce197812cc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_f30bcc53-1c41-4c96-9915-23c089b6f5dd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_f30bcc53-1c41-4c96-9915-23c089b6f5dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember_1a768689-5757-4ef3-bb7e-52cc157a7b7a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMortgageMember_1a768689-5757-4ef3-bb7e-52cc157a7b7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember_3d6f0c24-9f1e-45f4-af37-17df3b137a17" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionOutletsAtNiagaraMortgageMember_3d6f0c24-9f1e-45f4-af37-17df3b137a17" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMember_d23fb3ee-12ca-4b03-833f-d4f2fc81022e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DanburyFairMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMember_d23fb3ee-12ca-4b03-833f-d4f2fc81022e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember_80cd3969-6072-4f15-ab68-a922414652dc" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_GreenAcresCommonsMember_80cd3969-6072-4f15-ab68-a922414652dc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember_425643f2-32fd-42d1-8712-f6e7f5be0dde" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMortgageMember_425643f2-32fd-42d1-8712-f6e7f5be0dde" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember_84380ebd-7dc8-4be7-8d9e-e3fef9e7c4d5" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_ce4da508-a176-43af-aab0-25f9bbb1f232" xlink:to="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember_84380ebd-7dc8-4be7-8d9e-e3fef9e7c4d5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d50b0dbb-8253-4322-8db6-4d5f3b90de15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_5ffc4950-531e-48db-98a9-660f3caaea28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d50b0dbb-8253-4322-8db6-4d5f3b90de15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_cf9a6219-ea36-4e02-9481-384ba7939862" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d50b0dbb-8253-4322-8db6-4d5f3b90de15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_cf9a6219-ea36-4e02-9481-384ba7939862" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_e78b2fb5-7860-4028-8482-6f40c15aab84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_58d46668-aa47-4a80-922c-f1561f515b25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_e78b2fb5-7860-4028-8482-6f40c15aab84" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_d7fe8ebc-efa2-4527-80a2-3596dc8de777" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_e78b2fb5-7860-4028-8482-6f40c15aab84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_d7fe8ebc-efa2-4527-80a2-3596dc8de777" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_dfd6f41f-c373-4e8a-8ee7-c450dff4f79a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_7c641d09-e0f2-4230-a35e-ff589a6eefdd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_dfd6f41f-c373-4e8a-8ee7-c450dff4f79a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_05df5559-828d-455a-8dac-429f085779bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_dfd6f41f-c373-4e8a-8ee7-c450dff4f79a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_05df5559-828d-455a-8dac-429f085779bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d557ae1d-de6a-4e41-875d-73ab46d4d678" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_9ad68dd3-af17-4767-aaae-1d2952016f92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0346870b-0a05-458b-b0ee-d447c29cf3df" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_9ad68dd3-af17-4767-aaae-1d2952016f92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_572d70ec-04b7-4646-b1c4-a96fc112dd38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9ad68dd3-af17-4767-aaae-1d2952016f92" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_572d70ec-04b7-4646-b1c4-a96fc112dd38" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i997c6a49a0a349edbac1b465f76f6a30_MortgageNotesPayableNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_d74abdd2-8c95-4fbc-9cd5-defcaebfa680" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_d74abdd2-8c95-4fbc-9cd5-defcaebfa680" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MortgageLoansDeferralOfPayments_df3600dc-7ef4-4721-a6da-1f7b665f3fb5" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MortgageLoansDeferralOfPayments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_mac_MortgageLoansDeferralOfPayments_df3600dc-7ef4-4721-a6da-1f7b665f3fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MortgageLoansRepaymentOfDeferrals_2ec82dbf-21cf-4cd5-88fe-30299d1450ab" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MortgageLoansRepaymentOfDeferrals"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_mac_MortgageLoansRepaymentOfDeferrals_2ec82dbf-21cf-4cd5-88fe-30299d1450ab" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_92fa5d9d-9ae4-43c8-841a-f2f62e99f14b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_92fa5d9d-9ae4-43c8-841a-f2f62e99f14b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_66d064f0-209e-498e-ad4d-d697b552083f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_66d064f0-209e-498e-ad4d-d697b552083f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d3a00d9d-3ab5-46ca-ab1c-f01af7682cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_e380b7e4-4427-4e50-95bf-981abc58ac85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d3a00d9d-3ab5-46ca-ab1c-f01af7682cce" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_d3a00d9d-3ab5-46ca-ab1c-f01af7682cce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e70e351d-658b-4e8e-94e0-b8eab0e2f037" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_16c599d3-c050-434f-9f9f-a2134fc792f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e70e351d-658b-4e8e-94e0-b8eab0e2f037" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_08f5d14c-038b-47f2-abcb-73142581b50c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_e70e351d-658b-4e8e-94e0-b8eab0e2f037" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_08f5d14c-038b-47f2-abcb-73142581b50c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableFutureMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#MortgageNotesPayableFutureMaturitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/MortgageNotesPayableFutureMaturitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2d6b9425333d42aca74c9abc5d7e6b6a_MortgageNotesPayableFutureMaturitiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_aeb0f8e1-212e-49a3-92b0-49e454ee7791" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_aeb0f8e1-212e-49a3-92b0-49e454ee7791" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_a86aff9e-16f0-47cd-a03c-0c9defe03eea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_a86aff9e-16f0-47cd-a03c-0c9defe03eea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_d92a26d0-9944-44b9-865b-15947cfbdc35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_d92a26d0-9944-44b9-865b-15947cfbdc35" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_61ab5bd6-a97b-492a-b621-ece4e04f7518" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_61ab5bd6-a97b-492a-b621-ece4e04f7518" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_37eefdca-a7ab-47cc-8d18-b849c0ad1709" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive_37eefdca-a7ab-47cc-8d18-b849c0ad1709" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_bb6a3a15-1be7-407a-ba0d-9ee674c3c844" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalAfterYearFive_bb6a3a15-1be7-407a-ba0d-9ee674c3c844" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c010ca65-7946-4a2e-957d-ff5fe97f1357" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c010ca65-7946-4a2e-957d-ff5fe97f1357" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_822e1a11-1135-4f4a-b008-bd5f75160c7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_822e1a11-1135-4f4a-b008-bd5f75160c7a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_5716116a-bf62-44b9-b4c5-3fca12095bbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_5716116a-bf62-44b9-b4c5-3fca12095bbd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b49ee227-86bc-4e62-967a-3b2f152cb37e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_dc4f0d7f-1137-452e-9688-9fe2f7512cbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b49ee227-86bc-4e62-967a-3b2f152cb37e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_b49ee227-86bc-4e62-967a-3b2f152cb37e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ca218d7f-7213-42cc-aa96-6377c034bfe7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_ddd74595-c15e-4aa5-841d-5d83a9eb7063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ca218d7f-7213-42cc-aa96-6377c034bfe7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_94a06231-8b68-4171-88d9-65e9359428fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_ca218d7f-7213-42cc-aa96-6377c034bfe7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_94a06231-8b68-4171-88d9-65e9359428fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/BankandOtherNotesPayableDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#BankandOtherNotesPayableDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/BankandOtherNotesPayableDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ica69f0ca76af444299b152da6976d322_BankandOtherNotesPayableDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_899d4398-cf28-4374-acdf-61d86f1c5fee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_899d4398-cf28-4374-acdf-61d86f1c5fee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_4788c02a-3cd7-45c1-80c7-92e72f94e42b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_4788c02a-3cd7-45c1-80c7-92e72f94e42b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption_d8b96fdd-451b-49d0-bc72-4f6d412b836e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_mac_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption_d8b96fdd-451b-49d0-bc72-4f6d412b836e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_ce64df72-ae42-465e-b84f-68caace8f1fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_ce64df72-ae42-465e-b84f-68caace8f1fa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_14ce4598-1540-4824-9f7d-c249096dcd27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_14ce4598-1540-4824-9f7d-c249096dcd27" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7bd6e288-95e3-4a80-bbd4-e973a8517892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7bd6e288-95e3-4a80-bbd4-e973a8517892" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_99f9a0e9-5e75-497a-8876-b24f5dfda8fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_99f9a0e9-5e75-497a-8876-b24f5dfda8fe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_7fc7757e-17f6-417a-b254-e2cec8154b93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_7fc7757e-17f6-417a-b254-e2cec8154b93" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_22473291-f7e7-44b2-848f-ba8ee30adc88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_22473291-f7e7-44b2-848f-ba8ee30adc88" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod_944ffc14-8476-4b9e-8e02-e0c4f3410c64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDuringPeriod_944ffc14-8476-4b9e-8e02-e0c4f3410c64" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_ab47bbe1-68b9-43e4-af19-340d9ec37303" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_ab47bbe1-68b9-43e4-af19-340d9ec37303" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_421e88cf-e4c5-4786-8edd-f763e34723b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_421e88cf-e4c5-4786-8edd-f763e34723b6" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumContingentBorrowingCapacity_a1c38a33-cbd4-46f5-91ed-762546b90481" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumContingentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_mac_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumContingentBorrowingCapacity_a1c38a33-cbd4-46f5-91ed-762546b90481" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_a23d7f74-375e-429a-9f4f-e08db72d1cc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_a23d7f74-375e-429a-9f4f-e08db72d1cc0" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeSwaptionInterestRate_d86f6d5b-9c11-4837-b6b6-f83d91544b5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeSwaptionInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeSwaptionInterestRate_d86f6d5b-9c11-4837-b6b6-f83d91544b5a" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_9a68e6f3-2ce6-4d53-a294-5ae802849e90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_aa291359-db0d-4d53-a526-62bf8ad70bc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8fcf9c42-fa1b-4707-954d-b375bea1f581" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_aa291359-db0d-4d53-a526-62bf8ad70bc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_8f10a23f-b3c4-4399-9a32-830e605415db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_aa291359-db0d-4d53-a526-62bf8ad70bc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_8f10a23f-b3c4-4399-9a32-830e605415db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TermLoanMember_ceb399ca-c48c-4049-9cfb-a69ba5c551fc" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_aa291359-db0d-4d53-a526-62bf8ad70bc7" xlink:to="loc_mac_TermLoanMember_ceb399ca-c48c-4049-9cfb-a69ba5c551fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0db5d877-fdb4-4b09-a25f-8891325caf09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_04545938-bb8b-4c45-8ba8-441a18859ad0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0db5d877-fdb4-4b09-a25f-8891325caf09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NewCreditAgreementMember_16b2a106-1875-4c95-a271-bf542365c573" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NewCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0db5d877-fdb4-4b09-a25f-8891325caf09" xlink:to="loc_mac_NewCreditAgreementMember_16b2a106-1875-4c95-a271-bf542365c573" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_RevolvingLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142023Member_6128898c-f768-4b29-8d1f-5f71155fc3ad" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_RevolvingLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_NewCreditAgreementMember_16b2a106-1875-4c95-a271-bf542365c573" xlink:to="loc_mac_RevolvingLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142023Member_6128898c-f768-4b29-8d1f-5f71155fc3ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TermLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142024Member_f6b1f860-ebc8-4291-b6d7-0caf82ea523d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TermLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_NewCreditAgreementMember_16b2a106-1875-4c95-a271-bf542365c573" xlink:to="loc_mac_TermLoanFacilityMaturesOnApril142024Member_f6b1f860-ebc8-4291-b6d7-0caf82ea523d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PriorRevolvingLineOfCreditFacilityMember_dc0c8866-0f14-4940-a872-cdfe2973e1f8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PriorRevolvingLineOfCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0db5d877-fdb4-4b09-a25f-8891325caf09" xlink:to="loc_mac_PriorRevolvingLineOfCreditFacilityMember_dc0c8866-0f14-4940-a872-cdfe2973e1f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c73b3597-d5a2-46a9-a802-a49bd523e653" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_61811c03-1d0b-4292-95db-a5e306726e13" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c73b3597-d5a2-46a9-a802-a49bd523e653" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9043f892-0884-4d3b-93c0-bf9b49a692c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c73b3597-d5a2-46a9-a802-a49bd523e653" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_9043f892-0884-4d3b-93c0-bf9b49a692c6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_59d60d41-3cb7-4aec-926b-1e993a6ce400" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c73b3597-d5a2-46a9-a802-a49bd523e653" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_59d60d41-3cb7-4aec-926b-1e993a6ce400" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_c430ad90-b6c8-42b3-9600-aff1da8b7935" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_87b56b3f-55cf-4a01-a27f-d79df23de367" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_c430ad90-b6c8-42b3-9600-aff1da8b7935" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_6e5b8e22-894d-45b1-8ded-c4f40c8c81d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_c430ad90-b6c8-42b3-9600-aff1da8b7935" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_6e5b8e22-894d-45b1-8ded-c4f40c8c81d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e40ed8ae-1720-44d6-bf6f-5711da8ae48a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_c430ad90-b6c8-42b3-9600-aff1da8b7935" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e40ed8ae-1720-44d6-bf6f-5711da8ae48a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_1a34543c-fda6-45c8-803f-a20f611b0ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_3850a5bf-bdbb-48b0-b912-7c6514761c33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_1a34543c-fda6-45c8-803f-a20f611b0ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_6f2492e8-6d10-4946-90d5-212ac03c23a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_1a34543c-fda6-45c8-803f-a20f611b0ed3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_6f2492e8-6d10-4946-90d5-212ac03c23a0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_434cb841-8d53-40fb-870b-d63655663fba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_80b6465d-bcc5-42a5-9e70-6921e5f12d24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_434cb841-8d53-40fb-870b-d63655663fba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_70e9fba9-9eac-4e52-8021-84dd98f9c37f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_434cb841-8d53-40fb-870b-d63655663fba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_70e9fba9-9eac-4e52-8021-84dd98f9c37f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_868a7f7b-a2ee-46c3-900a-454abe398686" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_68de7488-51c2-42cb-bd11-c7f7bef86a30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_83909d62-da89-477e-919f-dda344e56683" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_68de7488-51c2-42cb-bd11-c7f7bef86a30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_7a456768-2785-4b09-ac17-8a6408fe34bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_68de7488-51c2-42cb-bd11-c7f7bef86a30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_7a456768-2785-4b09-ac17-8a6408fe34bb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/FinancingArrangementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#FinancingArrangementNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/FinancingArrangementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaf6c9c9c7ccd41b69dc8414348358e92_FinancingArrangementNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercentageSold_b2f6d32a-88e9-444b-a13f-d342d1f466ec" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercentageSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercentageSold_b2f6d32a-88e9-444b-a13f-d342d1f466ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_64c79c98-cc37-4151-8ed3-5fc5c10af433" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty_64c79c98-cc37-4151-8ed3-5fc5c10af433" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementTerminalCapitalizationRate_4f90fad1-0cc7-468c-b8c4-f56874ddba4c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FinancingArrangementTerminalCapitalizationRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementTerminalCapitalizationRate_4f90fad1-0cc7-468c-b8c4-f56874ddba4c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementDiscountRate_74f5d1d6-90d9-4403-a0e2-2827d9be4533" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FinancingArrangementDiscountRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementDiscountRate_74f5d1d6-90d9-4403-a0e2-2827d9be4533" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeasedAssetMeasurementInput_53a5e8b5-9e57-4267-bc93-c6ec0e5b9c40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeasedAssetMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeasedAssetMeasurementInput_53a5e8b5-9e57-4267-bc93-c6ec0e5b9c40" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages_f5fff3d1-5599-4c66-abc0-b43fd97ed0c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateFaceAmountOfMortgages_f5fff3d1-5599-4c66-abc0-b43fd97ed0c9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds_25175269-0f5e-4532-b415-194012ae1999" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfLoanProceeds_25175269-0f5e-4532-b415-194012ae1999" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_f959cea4-af3b-4bbb-a67c-a2c7061c2272" xlink:to="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4562775-4ff7-4a7a-93e2-33119d30bc1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_b5f79a8d-6435-4d26-9c81-21849dc4b0c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4562775-4ff7-4a7a-93e2-33119d30bc1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_e1466c44-455d-41de-9044-3b11aff93877" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FinancingArrangementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4562775-4ff7-4a7a-93e2-33119d30bc1c" xlink:to="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_e1466c44-455d-41de-9044-3b11aff93877" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_bfab6497-0fdb-44d0-aa70-62d4800df034" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4562775-4ff7-4a7a-93e2-33119d30bc1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_bfab6497-0fdb-44d0-aa70-62d4800df034" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_e9c0bb97-60cf-42fb-933a-5e973fc58e39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3dd244d9-a249-4584-879d-b9228175365c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_e9c0bb97-60cf-42fb-933a-5e973fc58e39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember_399f687e-a3d1-4465-9d52-94446e119510" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_e9c0bb97-60cf-42fb-933a-5e973fc58e39" xlink:to="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember_399f687e-a3d1-4465-9d52-94446e119510" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember_63e6b7fb-c8ff-4104-9f8c-f6b4f9ed1c67" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_e9c0bb97-60cf-42fb-933a-5e973fc58e39" xlink:to="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember_63e6b7fb-c8ff-4104-9f8c-f6b4f9ed1c67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_613d2cb5-09f1-46e5-8e1a-6e413c05d0b6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_e9c0bb97-60cf-42fb-933a-5e973fc58e39" xlink:to="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMortgageMember_613d2cb5-09f1-46e5-8e1a-6e413c05d0b6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0783b6f7-c96d-4099-9522-ead574114e1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_68a83a70-582c-4806-946c-333dd3da860d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0783b6f7-c96d-4099-9522-ead574114e1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_354e4ab7-9095-4dd2-90f4-88a915faa4d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_0783b6f7-c96d-4099-9522-ead574114e1f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_354e4ab7-9095-4dd2-90f4-88a915faa4d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_c93542de-72a5-42bb-a2e0-8583fd6ec818" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_0783b6f7-c96d-4099-9522-ead574114e1f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_c93542de-72a5-42bb-a2e0-8583fd6ec818" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_bcf40d8d-b12e-4476-b39f-dc6e1ce8821b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5a8365e5-4a10-4e0b-bfd7-c67366eae552" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_4e62884c-e205-4bb0-b030-f262cbe96090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5a8365e5-4a10-4e0b-bfd7-c67366eae552" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_2538eeb0-a4c3-4979-87b6-0efba940d4ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_5a8365e5-4a10-4e0b-bfd7-c67366eae552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_2538eeb0-a4c3-4979-87b6-0efba940d4ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/FinancingArrangementFinancingArrangementActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#FinancingArrangementFinancingArrangementActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/FinancingArrangementFinancingArrangementActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e4e5ff2cac64108b474a013d255b0eb_FinancingArrangementFinancingArrangementActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_IncomeLossFromJointVenture_f1b7ea95-50da-404c-b1d5-c679cec999ac" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_IncomeLossFromJointVenture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:to="loc_mac_IncomeLossFromJointVenture_f1b7ea95-50da-404c-b1d5-c679cec999ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfPartnerShareOfIncomeLoss_8e69ac88-fca6-4117-b98b-310fc0d5f4f8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfPartnerShareOfIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureDistributionsInExcessOfPartnerShareOfIncomeLoss_8e69ac88-fca6-4117-b98b-310fc0d5f4f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FairValueAdjustmentOfFinanceObligation_57c11ac7-c933-4a8c-82af-a47ab1e1b00f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FairValueAdjustmentOfFinanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:to="loc_mac_FairValueAdjustmentOfFinanceObligation_57c11ac7-c933-4a8c-82af-a47ab1e1b00f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty_6af8fcc8-e1e7-4757-b0ee-2265676b2706" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:to="loc_mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty_6af8fcc8-e1e7-4757-b0ee-2265676b2706" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_924a134f-83ca-4fcb-9e68-75fef7b24c4e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesLineItems_6a9da342-d027-44f8-af6f-73fb8eb1c579" xlink:to="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_924a134f-83ca-4fcb-9e68-75fef7b24c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_924a134f-83ca-4fcb-9e68-75fef7b24c4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_e453ed2c-1759-4c0c-9086-c936d03615d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_35ac773b-e1c2-4294-98c3-321a3fbf3f87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_e453ed2c-1759-4c0c-9086-c936d03615d1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_69a814f9-9c00-4bf7-9cb6-42b3caf5d152" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FinancingArrangementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_e453ed2c-1759-4c0c-9086-c936d03615d1" xlink:to="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_69a814f9-9c00-4bf7-9cb6-42b3caf5d152" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfJointVenturesTable_924a134f-83ca-4fcb-9e68-75fef7b24c4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_12265bec-96d4-496a-8ecf-977164189301" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_0775184b-3c0a-44b4-bea8-08f720beeff2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_12265bec-96d4-496a-8ecf-977164189301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_d74f9985-8b9c-429c-97ab-3f2424174b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_12265bec-96d4-496a-8ecf-977164189301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_d74f9985-8b9c-429c-97ab-3f2424174b19" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#NoncontrollingInterestsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i01e9df2d04894c09a10c1588a7f9d411_NoncontrollingInterestsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_3663e0aa-9e99-4be3-8bbd-9726e0d8f549" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_3663e0aa-9e99-4be3-8bbd-9726e0d8f549" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_2876c949-3c7a-4813-9b22-28b9512fd18f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners_2876c949-3c7a-4813-9b22-28b9512fd18f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_355a6583-0bd9-4942-8185-45ceaab9d260" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_355a6583-0bd9-4942-8185-45ceaab9d260" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValueBasisNumberOfTradingDays_ed74df9d-b18f-461d-9592-b15098f08a5c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValueBasisNumberOfTradingDays"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValueBasisNumberOfTradingDays_ed74df9d-b18f-461d-9592-b15098f08a5c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValue_4d5a00fa-a282-4ab3-b050-292595c0e107" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_mac_MinorityInterestRedemptionValue_4d5a00fa-a282-4ab3-b050-292595c0e107" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_0a8c313f-6de8-437d-806b-43f5249add68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_6c415ff6-96c3-41e6-8f37-183420171356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_0a8c313f-6de8-437d-806b-43f5249add68" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_0a8c313f-6de8-437d-806b-43f5249add68" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1b5f01f1-bfb1-480b-ab7e-49d4f7b3424d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_340d0860-76a3-46ad-8c1d-e85527b5dd99" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1b5f01f1-bfb1-480b-ab7e-49d4f7b3424d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_c7d503f8-8126-4e81-90c6-9efe06513bfe" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_1b5f01f1-bfb1-480b-ab7e-49d4f7b3424d" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_c7d503f8-8126-4e81-90c6-9efe06513bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib628b9aadd5549a092609ffd0d02438d_StockholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares_f3eb98d1-1336-482e-85e6-aef559df4c22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares_f3eb98d1-1336-482e-85e6-aef559df4c22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_8666a76c-73de-468e-a633-9830f6b83900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_8666a76c-73de-468e-a633-9830f6b83900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_CommonStockCashDividendRatePercentage_4f35ba2e-4176-4cd2-9f93-6e45b153f8d1" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_CommonStockCashDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_CommonStockCashDividendRatePercentage_4f35ba2e-4176-4cd2-9f93-6e45b153f8d1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_13a534e0-e940-4746-bc60-93d9e66cbbff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_13a534e0-e940-4746-bc60-93d9e66cbbff" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_CommonStockStockDividendRatePercentage_2d3332c3-3a97-42a5-8f21-f8720f8146fa" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_CommonStockStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_CommonStockStockDividendRatePercentage_2d3332c3-3a97-42a5-8f21-f8720f8146fa" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_VolumeWeightedAverageSharePrice_6c4f06ed-c70f-4b58-83fc-3c824100552d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_VolumeWeightedAverageSharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_VolumeWeightedAverageSharePrice_6c4f06ed-c70f-4b58-83fc-3c824100552d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DecreaseFromDividendsEarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_4e594055-edc3-419e-a218-8e7881c2e2c8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DecreaseFromDividendsEarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_DecreaseFromDividendsEarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_4e594055-edc3-419e-a218-8e7881c2e2c8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_cab0f1e7-0a80-4ae2-8ea0-0568de32df8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_cab0f1e7-0a80-4ae2-8ea0-0568de32df8b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_09cabfa8-6097-459c-a989-7d51a13717ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNumberOfSharesIssuedInTransaction_09cabfa8-6097-459c-a989-7d51a13717ff" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction_510c6e59-dd06-4c71-bd93-d02de1a4bc66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockConsiderationReceivedOnTransaction_510c6e59-dd06-4c71-bd93-d02de1a4bc66" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNetOfIssuanceCosts_ba98ad7f-41bb-408d-9fce-e6776d571211" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNetOfIssuanceCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNetOfIssuanceCosts_ba98ad7f-41bb-408d-9fce-e6776d571211" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_CommonStockValueAvailableForFutureIssuance_dab5736b-863d-4d3f-a17f-71b262d8c3b0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_CommonStockValueAvailableForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_mac_CommonStockValueAvailableForFutureIssuance_dab5736b-863d-4d3f-a17f-71b262d8c3b0" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_3dd2c967-914b-4dd8-99d0-e6cdd15c6a32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_3dd2c967-914b-4dd8-99d0-e6cdd15c6a32" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_10552529-98b1-4e7f-8a1d-7b2eba71d78e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_58ff06f0-77a5-41d5-9ec8-f4cb46879e84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_10552529-98b1-4e7f-8a1d-7b2eba71d78e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_10552529-98b1-4e7f-8a1d-7b2eba71d78e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_46e2f785-f140-4e15-9209-886af0bd393a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_ee0af0dd-30da-4df5-94ce-97283b4bc2fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_46e2f785-f140-4e15-9209-886af0bd393a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_March2021ATMProgramMember_064f8e3d-7045-4493-9b64-295f5a49b75f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_March2021ATMProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_46e2f785-f140-4e15-9209-886af0bd393a" xlink:to="loc_mac_March2021ATMProgramMember_064f8e3d-7045-4493-9b64-295f5a49b75f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_February2021ATMProgramMember_da78afa7-d5ac-4e55-9d01-f70759bfc3c3" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_February2021ATMProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_46e2f785-f140-4e15-9209-886af0bd393a" xlink:to="loc_mac_February2021ATMProgramMember_da78afa7-d5ac-4e55-9d01-f70759bfc3c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ATMProgramsMember_b3fa86df-2999-4190-b37a-aa875ef5d317" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ATMProgramsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_46e2f785-f140-4e15-9209-886af0bd393a" xlink:to="loc_mac_ATMProgramsMember_b3fa86df-2999-4190-b37a-aa875ef5d317" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie48ee0890e1a435fb16bd74fffa6b22c_ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable_6ba9ae0e-a244-4d46-b79b-00fdaf05cbe9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfNotesPayable_6ba9ae0e-a244-4d46-b79b-00fdaf05cbe9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties_e7cceeb0-e770-4549-a99a-5dbb4e12e3e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInNotesPayableRelatedParties_e7cceeb0-e770-4549-a99a-5dbb4e12e3e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_e8aa331a-5ac5-442c-b174-c3167e7cbfcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_e8aa331a-5ac5-442c-b174-c3167e7cbfcc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent_770ab98a-ef94-4702-af43-c03f9d1565e6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureCashDistributionPercent_770ab98a-ef94-4702-af43-c03f9d1565e6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_11d258e2-dea9-4790-a62d-6c819e7df13a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_11d258e2-dea9-4790-a62d-6c819e7df13a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_OwnershipInterestInProperty_5ce88a53-d90a-45e3-b390-ba7dfd75de7a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_OwnershipInterestInProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_mac_OwnershipInterestInProperty_5ce88a53-d90a-45e3-b390-ba7dfd75de7a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_e3d98c21-dcd3-4bc1-b47d-03e76a90dd33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_e3d98c21-dcd3-4bc1-b47d-03e76a90dd33" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_40248765-c2c5-4817-b93b-9e99a0598d33" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_46af491b-58f9-4172-92da-919ad7c49cea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_9da55ee8-9a9c-4a9e-b3e7-aa735cf3b80f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_46af491b-58f9-4172-92da-919ad7c49cea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_9ee5988f-0226-4615-84d4-e83217bb1cd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_46af491b-58f9-4172-92da-919ad7c49cea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_9ee5988f-0226-4615-84d4-e83217bb1cd3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_500458e6-571c-4187-b20d-3b6412962a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_7c90a84a-ec2c-4198-81f6-9f4b0bc06706" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_500458e6-571c-4187-b20d-3b6412962a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_c54eab1b-d278-4013-8490-4ba5c7dd1028" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_500458e6-571c-4187-b20d-3b6412962a6c" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_c54eab1b-d278-4013-8490-4ba5c7dd1028" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_e486a2ed-c15e-4e94-a22e-0a0a27bef42c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_500458e6-571c-4187-b20d-3b6412962a6c" xlink:to="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_e486a2ed-c15e-4e94-a22e-0a0a27bef42c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_df5a2770-0d38-44ee-9caf-469af04140b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e632e2de-24f0-4a72-b84b-16c715c6a068" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_df5a2770-0d38-44ee-9caf-469af04140b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_ca974d13-c838-479e-b8ab-6e187a48d3c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_df5a2770-0d38-44ee-9caf-469af04140b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_ca974d13-c838-479e-b8ab-6e187a48d3c0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b5f0e673-fb4d-4d9f-b08d-f442db1a8ca3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_df5a2770-0d38-44ee-9caf-469af04140b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b5f0e673-fb4d-4d9f-b08d-f442db1a8ca3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a2a61757-f752-4046-9262-32023f998d0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_c7d20432-7634-4163-8742-e057155d571a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a2a61757-f752-4046-9262-32023f998d0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_cccc4340-cec3-48be-a6e0-0c034722cc6c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a2a61757-f752-4046-9262-32023f998d0c" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_cccc4340-cec3-48be-a6e0-0c034722cc6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_cc5ff991-9fea-4717-a718-4ec1dabb96b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_3e04627e-01ea-4595-92ea-987340e69ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_2f001965-7336-4ef8-87ba-7623f71b972f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_3e04627e-01ea-4595-92ea-987340e69ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember_55258e56-4924-4c94-ba0f-e4df5797b5af" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_3e04627e-01ea-4595-92ea-987340e69ca1" xlink:to="loc_mac_MSPortfolioLLCMember_55258e56-4924-4c94-ba0f-e4df5797b5af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsAllocationofFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsAllocationofFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsAllocationofFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i52d9c33c21bb4e56baee433236cfe02d_ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsAllocationofFairValueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedProperty_d896f672-294a-426f-9dee-e99e34399278" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedProperty_d896f672-294a-426f-9dee-e99e34399278" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredCharges_338a25af-abd1-451e-8208-50223c7b44d7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredCharges_338a25af-abd1-451e-8208-50223c7b44d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_1759ea85-cb60-4983-ab73-7c31092652b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents_1759ea85-cb60-4983-ab73-7c31092652b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedRestrictedCash_d1df3c23-ef0d-4c12-84c1-bba020597c5e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedRestrictedCash"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedRestrictedCash_d1df3c23-ef0d-4c12-84c1-bba020597c5e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_74b90ca6-9da1-4a72-9d39-1748a4ff8e78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssetsReceivables_74b90ca6-9da1-4a72-9d39-1748a4ff8e78" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets_d8193720-55e4-4613-8ad2-e5ebe896ccc7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAssets_d8193720-55e4-4613-8ad2-e5ebe896ccc7" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_af83934b-0482-4e7f-9bca-34c3fe732cf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAssets_af83934b-0482-4e7f-9bca-34c3fe732cf3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMortgageNotePayable_7b628e03-1e17-4a05-9a1f-aebde07710f4" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMortgageNotePayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedMortgageNotePayable_7b628e03-1e17-4a05-9a1f-aebde07710f4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPartnershipLoan_45431aa1-9cd0-4bb0-908e-d95d083bbc0b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPartnershipLoan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPartnershipLoan_45431aa1-9cd0-4bb0-908e-d95d083bbc0b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccountsPayable_256bd14a-c85d-42f0-a6d7-5e60b051ab44" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccountsPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedAccountsPayable_256bd14a-c85d-42f0-a6d7-5e60b051ab44" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDueToAffiliates_8c8fc784-e5fb-4611-9b19-a9bde3bf6f70" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDueToAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDueToAffiliates_8c8fc784-e5fb-4611-9b19-a9bde3bf6f70" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAccruedLiabilities_883a3a9a-83a0-4414-9feb-ee07c8a7941a" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAccruedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_mac_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedOtherAccruedLiabilities_883a3a9a-83a0-4414-9feb-ee07c8a7941a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLand_ae931875-bee0-4d4f-83b9-2ca0ad90f582" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLand_ae931875-bee0-4d4f-83b9-2ca0ad90f582" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedBuildings_92edf9e8-13cb-476f-a808-8c81be634903" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedBuildings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedBuildings_92edf9e8-13cb-476f-a808-8c81be634903" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_19b7fdf2-4752-4dd9-aa3f-a6e522497649" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedLiabilities_19b7fdf2-4752-4dd9-aa3f-a6e522497649" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_9f0a2aba-eca4-4720-af81-f6333a84acd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_9f0a2aba-eca4-4720-af81-f6333a84acd9" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_34ab9a75-253f-43af-b5ad-0269716c62b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_34ab9a75-253f-43af-b5ad-0269716c62b2" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0ab9c002-245b-458a-95e9-c6221f235e0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_4279f60a-382e-4c66-b8ad-97161c531285" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0ab9c002-245b-458a-95e9-c6221f235e0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_0ab9c002-245b-458a-95e9-c6221f235e0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_af4399a7-11f0-47df-90cd-62f3206e5419" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f615f29c-dec8-49c1-ae49-a30d23ad555f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_af4399a7-11f0-47df-90cd-62f3206e5419" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_c657a3d1-3356-45a4-bdc9-276f5cd1ece3" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_af4399a7-11f0-47df-90cd-62f3206e5419" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_c657a3d1-3356-45a4-bdc9-276f5cd1ece3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_3c8920a0-cec8-4aff-8674-6f7214cc09a9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_af4399a7-11f0-47df-90cd-62f3206e5419" xlink:to="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_3c8920a0-cec8-4aff-8674-6f7214cc09a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsGainLossonRemeasurementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsGainLossonRemeasurementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsGainLossonRemeasurementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibeae8262d1154dcc9911a69a5e8374a9_ConsolidatedJointVentureandAcquisitionsGainLossonRemeasurementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_21cc64ba-2c7a-4d62-9f20-cd53fa8846d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired_21cc64ba-2c7a-4d62-9f20-cd53fa8846d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_d328b5af-a51a-41da-a659-245e34007040" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNet_d328b5af-a51a-41da-a659-245e34007040" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_f3440ce1-d143-42d8-b435-474e87c766f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionOfLessThan100PercentNoncontrollingInterestFairValue_f3440ce1-d143-42d8-b435-474e87c766f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e6eaf254-5bce-4a15-9b9e-f6a15d0a4c0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_e6eaf254-5bce-4a15-9b9e-f6a15d0a4c0f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementLoss_092e4a85-62f8-446a-8fac-304a7f97b428" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementLoss_092e4a85-62f8-446a-8fac-304a7f97b428" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5a1b1339-b1b9-4079-9834-3df3f7998f66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_cc939d7b-231c-418c-b47b-c0faee8e3bc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5a1b1339-b1b9-4079-9834-3df3f7998f66" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_5a1b1339-b1b9-4079-9834-3df3f7998f66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0d67dc9e-6c52-4ca4-848a-4cc70558c327" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_07dce1f7-26c7-4871-9f66-bd3878408a07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0d67dc9e-6c52-4ca4-848a-4cc70558c327" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_759d1fdf-1d28-40ba-b492-83c62b889ff2" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0d67dc9e-6c52-4ca4-848a-4cc70558c327" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_759d1fdf-1d28-40ba-b492-83c62b889ff2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/DispositionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#DispositionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/DispositionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1a8c8e816be94eb3bdb27604cb72a44e_DispositionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_de1c88b9-13cc-46ba-9df1-5f0777505ae0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1_de1c88b9-13cc-46ba-9df1-5f0777505ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_c40fe792-10be-419d-817f-63562d85f145" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_mac_JointVentureOwnershipPercent_c40fe792-10be-419d-817f-63562d85f145" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet_e1421eab-ee1b-4093-9bcb-5bf6981a250b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_mac_ProceedsFromSaleOfPartnershipInterestsOtherAssetsAndDiscontinuedOperationsNet_e1421eab-ee1b-4093-9bcb-5bf6981a250b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_c14ca60e-6672-4e55-8dcb-3591b4592923" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_c14ca60e-6672-4e55-8dcb-3591b4592923" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_8dcacb43-35d0-46d5-a8a6-d880fae258d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfProperties_8dcacb43-35d0-46d5-a8a6-d880fae258d0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_7b6aed40-07fc-443e-8eb9-556f34b3fad9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_c13983d9-b36c-4c9b-abfe-0441f161d150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_7fd94540-5eb2-4fc5-b753-940e803b2ae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_c13983d9-b36c-4c9b-abfe-0441f161d150" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_a60403ef-13dd-4de4-bca9-96d4a8f7111b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_c13983d9-b36c-4c9b-abfe-0441f161d150" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_a60403ef-13dd-4de4-bca9-96d4a8f7111b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3152bfee-f845-41ac-a906-448255997879" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_d5e92cea-2105-49bd-a275-4d46d3c8380d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3152bfee-f845-41ac-a906-448255997879" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_3ed60168-8c39-47bb-bd7c-142056bbcf7c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3152bfee-f845-41ac-a906-448255997879" xlink:to="loc_mac_ParadiseValleyMallMember_3ed60168-8c39-47bb-bd7c-142056bbcf7c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TucsonLaEncantadaInTucsonArizonaMember_5aad72e8-06ce-4722-8fc5-e09c94a61c4c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TucsonLaEncantadaInTucsonArizonaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3152bfee-f845-41ac-a906-448255997879" xlink:to="loc_mac_TucsonLaEncantadaInTucsonArizonaMember_5aad72e8-06ce-4722-8fc5-e09c94a61c4c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3cb9e076-c373-4e1d-91ee-4241066cc7ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_61f87172-f2d1-4003-bb29-bd5cef5e5819" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3cb9e076-c373-4e1d-91ee-4241066cc7ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_bf3e4424-10ff-431c-81b3-a262d02d075e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3cb9e076-c373-4e1d-91ee-4241066cc7ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_bf3e4424-10ff-431c-81b3-a262d02d075e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_0a256005-9e9d-455a-88c0-4aeffc0ee503" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1f6502bc-ad56-46d9-80a3-ec05eea2cb6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_7e90ef0b-a93a-4a45-926f-f1ea29d14af3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1f6502bc-ad56-46d9-80a3-ec05eea2cb6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_6513cef3-dea2-4488-921c-deb868f391bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1f6502bc-ad56-46d9-80a3-ec05eea2cb6c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_6513cef3-dea2-4488-921c-deb868f391bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleoffeeschargedtounconsolidatedjointventuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleoffeeschargedtounconsolidatedjointventuresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleoffeeschargedtounconsolidatedjointventuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id6602460dec94f819fcde22f99b5d05f_RelatedPartyTransactionsScheduleoffeeschargedtounconsolidatedjointventuresDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_82a43996-6b54-4212-b98a-b3cba0d4897f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_ee370c90-6bdd-4dd7-842e-f237918d7862" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_82a43996-6b54-4212-b98a-b3cba0d4897f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_ee370c90-6bdd-4dd7-842e-f237918d7862" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_17ec736c-d827-410c-8186-b5324573bc30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_82a43996-6b54-4212-b98a-b3cba0d4897f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_17ec736c-d827-410c-8186-b5324573bc30" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_17ec736c-d827-410c-8186-b5324573bc30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_31d6d28a-820b-42cc-83ee-a3aefdcf0e30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f05f5172-4181-4d95-a751-b2c962cd6b83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_31d6d28a-820b-42cc-83ee-a3aefdcf0e30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesAndThirdPartyManagedPropertiesMember_7cd873e9-9bc3-492c-a8c1-dd94cdd09bf5" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesAndThirdPartyManagedPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_31d6d28a-820b-42cc-83ee-a3aefdcf0e30" xlink:to="loc_mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesAndThirdPartyManagedPropertiesMember_7cd873e9-9bc3-492c-a8c1-dd94cdd09bf5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_17ec736c-d827-410c-8186-b5324573bc30" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_55e3aaa4-dd0a-4b07-b752-556c5a1da14c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f03cf28c-6dc7-4cfe-a926-ab598529a137" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_55e3aaa4-dd0a-4b07-b752-556c5a1da14c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_b35d945e-90d7-45eb-979a-9b3c47539e5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_55e3aaa4-dd0a-4b07-b752-556c5a1da14c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_b35d945e-90d7-45eb-979a-9b3c47539e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DevelopmentandLeasingFeesMember_9638b51a-a8d1-4cc9-abb4-a9a65d5db297" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DevelopmentandLeasingFeesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_55e3aaa4-dd0a-4b07-b752-556c5a1da14c" xlink:to="loc_mac_DevelopmentandLeasingFeesMember_9638b51a-a8d1-4cc9-abb4-a9a65d5db297" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1559e77183c24320a9283d195bd7133a_RelatedPartyTransactionsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty_4af1a198-2f1a-4e10-ab6d-51f1c560c6cd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_mac_InterestIncomeExpenseRelatedParty_4af1a198-2f1a-4e10-ab6d-51f1c560c6cd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates_42a3b801-a770-4b09-8248-8a346f63a0d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueFromAffiliates_42a3b801-a770-4b09-8248-8a346f63a0d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate_a1053ac0-7fde-454f-9dc1-a57a065d2bfe" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_mac_NotesReceivableStatedInterestRate_a1053ac0-7fde-454f-9dc1-a57a065d2bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NotesReceivableVariableInterestRate_4282484e-5809-4444-8604-873690e29e01" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NotesReceivableVariableInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_mac_NotesReceivableVariableInterestRate_4282484e-5809-4444-8604-873690e29e01" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeRelatedParty_e6817766-4c49-4fad-aa0b-e19fa8afb1bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeRelatedParty_e6817766-4c49-4fad-aa0b-e19fa8afb1bc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_5e99df31-bda6-40e6-b09a-752c0f7b464b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_912ee303-2c31-41fc-834f-2c6d06e2f426" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_955ca59f-462d-4805-9f34-4297803b21e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_912ee303-2c31-41fc-834f-2c6d06e2f426" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_3415572b-a6a8-404d-9096-c82260fc315e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_912ee303-2c31-41fc-834f-2c6d06e2f426" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_3415572b-a6a8-404d-9096-c82260fc315e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesMember_5d2561ef-2550-4154-be60-6b5951b5ae02" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_912ee303-2c31-41fc-834f-2c6d06e2f426" xlink:to="loc_mac_UnconsolidatedJointVenturesMember_5d2561ef-2550-4154-be60-6b5951b5ae02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_db95e71e-19b5-4ca3-b7fd-c307591d1f15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_912ee303-2c31-41fc-834f-2c6d06e2f426" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_db95e71e-19b5-4ca3-b7fd-c307591d1f15" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_33900d5e-71f6-4a76-a877-82a895b02047" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_73a301b5-7ec6-45d6-a47c-197061c5aacb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_33900d5e-71f6-4a76-a877-82a895b02047" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_5b8c81fb-45b7-4ee1-b38d-10e78a60ca5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_33900d5e-71f6-4a76-a877-82a895b02047" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_5b8c81fb-45b7-4ee1-b38d-10e78a60ca5b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4061926b-9ca8-42d3-a2bc-5162666a50cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_955992b6-dd56-4ef5-9f28-fa25f05b4e6a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4061926b-9ca8-42d3-a2bc-5162666a50cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_REDConsolidatedHoldingsLLCMember_971dd14f-5eae-4e9a-b6ff-f57fcde48df9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_REDConsolidatedHoldingsLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4061926b-9ca8-42d3-a2bc-5162666a50cd" xlink:to="loc_mac_REDConsolidatedHoldingsLLCMember_971dd14f-5eae-4e9a-b6ff-f57fcde48df9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LennarCorporationMember_8e8fd518-7a60-4190-a627-cb6820a89681" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LennarCorporationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4061926b-9ca8-42d3-a2bc-5162666a50cd" xlink:to="loc_mac_LennarCorporationMember_8e8fd518-7a60-4190-a627-cb6820a89681" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_4419d799-9d44-4f8c-8a4a-9c5a464f6778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_59c3e095-9792-4941-b3cf-79e325d5b23e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_53dd4c91-2499-4be6-b984-f60390b20188" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_59c3e095-9792-4941-b3cf-79e325d5b23e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_af89d8de-ac3f-43f9-82e4-60de93adf5bd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FinancingArrangementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_59c3e095-9792-4941-b3cf-79e325d5b23e" xlink:to="loc_mac_FinancingArrangementMember_af89d8de-ac3f-43f9-82e4-60de93adf5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlans2003EquityIncentivePlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlans2003EquityIncentivePlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlans2003EquityIncentivePlanDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib4e33dc582e149bba7267065047b3927_ShareandUnitbasedPlans2003EquityIncentivePlanDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e87692b9-b628-4783-adf1-1656cc51e578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationTerm_dc3af080-4d90-49e5-ba50-3acdd29f1254" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e87692b9-b628-4783-adf1-1656cc51e578" xlink:to="loc_mac_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationTerm_dc3af080-4d90-49e5-ba50-3acdd29f1254" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_8bcdb7aa-a6ab-4c28-a3f1-0f7c4283bff7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e87692b9-b628-4783-adf1-1656cc51e578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_8bcdb7aa-a6ab-4c28-a3f1-0f7c4283bff7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_f4fcc25d-1ca7-44ba-b907-eadf44981bcc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e87692b9-b628-4783-adf1-1656cc51e578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_f4fcc25d-1ca7-44ba-b907-eadf44981bcc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fcaaf8ab-f217-41cd-9639-ef8cef07fbc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_e87692b9-b628-4783-adf1-1656cc51e578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fcaaf8ab-f217-41cd-9639-ef8cef07fbc6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fcaaf8ab-f217-41cd-9639-ef8cef07fbc6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b73117a9-64b9-422c-b17d-2f9d770df79f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_c75a14ab-a0a5-400d-af39-a2fbecf2fcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b73117a9-64b9-422c-b17d-2f9d770df79f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquityIncentivePlan2003Member_17660d28-c2a8-483e-9cf9-74a9f2b73f24" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquityIncentivePlan2003Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_b73117a9-64b9-422c-b17d-2f9d770df79f" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquityIncentivePlan2003Member_17660d28-c2a8-483e-9cf9-74a9f2b73f24" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockUnitsRollForwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockUnitsRollForwardActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockUnitsRollForwardActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6a19e22e3a1d4586b079333ad9f0ee18_ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockUnitsRollForwardActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea0ec151-abbd-430d-93f7-706e9a99da1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea0ec151-abbd-430d-93f7-706e9a99da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_e8a32ba6-c44c-41ca-9751-d346a430c231" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_e8a32ba6-c44c-41ca-9751-d346a430c231" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1c9e3fd5-f571-41f6-823f-7567cd3a05da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1c9e3fd5-f571-41f6-823f-7567cd3a05da" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d2bf4e55-1f41-4492-8a2a-055722f09f27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d2bf4e55-1f41-4492-8a2a-055722f09f27" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_cb419ece-3f45-4fda-8652-51a4da599f3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_59b497bd-645a-4b78-8614-e2bc7e8c9e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_cb419ece-3f45-4fda-8652-51a4da599f3f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_9726c994-4e5c-4a78-b55f-463461a469f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea0ec151-abbd-430d-93f7-706e9a99da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_cb3a991e-1f83-4941-a6c5-bd6665478ab0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_cb3a991e-1f83-4941-a6c5-bd6665478ab0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1780002b-f3a8-42b8-8977-5dacf05c427a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1780002b-f3a8-42b8-8977-5dacf05c427a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_55dd3be6-0ab7-44a8-84fd-416b500983b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_55dd3be6-0ab7-44a8-84fd-416b500983b4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ed345941-67f9-4684-9460-cbdd518a6fc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_22917f41-4d61-4f48-9d94-b21e549e297c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ed345941-67f9-4684-9460-cbdd518a6fc9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_76d28c4e-9ef7-49f6-b54e-9bb558641683" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_64824729-5ead-4172-9d2b-c09399552959" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_ea0ec151-abbd-430d-93f7-706e9a99da1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_64824729-5ead-4172-9d2b-c09399552959" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_64824729-5ead-4172-9d2b-c09399552959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_643b3832-b64c-405e-8fdd-a28f911e5f74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5073b90b-d217-40d8-9965-7e8cb44911c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_643b3832-b64c-405e-8fdd-a28f911e5f74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_0e30a5c2-ee25-445c-aba3-b1acdb2e7544" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_643b3832-b64c-405e-8fdd-a28f911e5f74" xlink:to="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_0e30a5c2-ee25-445c-aba3-b1acdb2e7544" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansLongTermIncentivePlanUnitsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansLongTermIncentivePlanUnitsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansLongTermIncentivePlanUnitsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i02d6d2d1808c466aabb60990bd4ab7b1_ShareandUnitbasedPlansLongTermIncentivePlanUnitsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_626b8c4d-954a-4e0d-9c4e-4b0f19ba95f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate_3a3db0f6-7c52-496f-ad4f-b2a2686b8fde" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_626b8c4d-954a-4e0d-9c4e-4b0f19ba95f3" xlink:to="loc_mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate_3a3db0f6-7c52-496f-ad4f-b2a2686b8fde" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_4ec98663-2992-47bb-b886-bf6400f661e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_626b8c4d-954a-4e0d-9c4e-4b0f19ba95f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_4ec98663-2992-47bb-b886-bf6400f661e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_4ec98663-2992-47bb-b886-bf6400f661e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f67f65f1-7f79-4c08-a452-f9774bf86b2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ae4f3e82-253e-4fb6-b5c8-4b6611668d0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f67f65f1-7f79-4c08-a452-f9774bf86b2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_e89844ee-4100-403f-8957-f77b30f3dbe8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f67f65f1-7f79-4c08-a452-f9774bf86b2c" xlink:to="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_e89844ee-4100-403f-8957-f77b30f3dbe8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_4b0fa11a-4be3-4fce-9eed-e869fd63e6ef" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f67f65f1-7f79-4c08-a452-f9774bf86b2c" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_4b0fa11a-4be3-4fce-9eed-e869fd63e6ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleofLTIPGrantsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleofLTIPGrantsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleofLTIPGrantsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5e815d0554464ff8a41536cb307ea0ae_ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleofLTIPGrantsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f737fe87-3866-4a3e-8999-9c7c97241db3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_ee15881b-3f4d-47d9-9253-7f1f3877baa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f737fe87-3866-4a3e-8999-9c7c97241db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_ee15881b-3f4d-47d9-9253-7f1f3877baa1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4e885937-e9dd-4024-aa81-7b18d62e7fb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f737fe87-3866-4a3e-8999-9c7c97241db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4e885937-e9dd-4024-aa81-7b18d62e7fb1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e6372f64-e5bc-464d-aecb-63dee7d75daf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_f737fe87-3866-4a3e-8999-9c7c97241db3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e6372f64-e5bc-464d-aecb-63dee7d75daf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e6372f64-e5bc-464d-aecb-63dee7d75daf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_d3311757-4873-45b1-a8d3-2ef2b1a5f3dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12019Member_4ca88b86-bd13-4195-89b8-b3ffa2a79f5d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12019Member_4ca88b86-bd13-4195-89b8-b3ffa2a79f5d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_September12019Member_9435cdac-a455-42bf-840f-3e311911e2ee" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_September12019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:to="loc_mac_September12019Member_9435cdac-a455-42bf-840f-3e311911e2ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12020Member_6dcd7e51-34b9-4d84-b3c8-acb679ad4938" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12020Member_6dcd7e51-34b9-4d84-b3c8-acb679ad4938" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_March12020Member_e2054b34-c980-4a87-82c2-cda2cfeb02b6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_March12020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:to="loc_mac_March12020Member_e2054b34-c980-4a87-82c2-cda2cfeb02b6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12021Member_50beec5d-e3b5-4001-a2df-9d517a826331" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12021Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_6bca5244-04d8-4013-90e7-4be0e59c51a7" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12021Member_50beec5d-e3b5-4001-a2df-9d517a826331" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e6372f64-e5bc-464d-aecb-63dee7d75daf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d3c6d11-a6ad-477a-b26c-4241fbf20d0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_9c727e2b-15d3-4031-80a0-f77ca92293b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d3c6d11-a6ad-477a-b26c-4241fbf20d0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_54ee9cfc-bac4-42a4-8a5b-da5fc907b19f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d3c6d11-a6ad-477a-b26c-4241fbf20d0a" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_54ee9cfc-bac4-42a4-8a5b-da5fc907b19f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanServicebasedMember_fc4a5913-6fec-4453-b2e6-138add6be2e8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanServicebasedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_54ee9cfc-bac4-42a4-8a5b-da5fc907b19f" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanServicebasedMember_fc4a5913-6fec-4453-b2e6-138add6be2e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMarketBasedMember_908e178f-7ed5-4bb7-a1dd-c7a187edb339" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMarketBasedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_54ee9cfc-bac4-42a4-8a5b-da5fc907b19f" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMarketBasedMember_908e178f-7ed5-4bb7-a1dd-c7a187edb339" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanPerformanceBasedMember_ee0de173-f273-40d5-a597-da215eb3b321" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanPerformanceBasedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_54ee9cfc-bac4-42a4-8a5b-da5fc907b19f" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanPerformanceBasedMember_ee0de173-f273-40d5-a597-da215eb3b321" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_e6372f64-e5bc-464d-aecb-63dee7d75daf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_42975bc5-4a27-44e5-a323-04a58addc49e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VestingDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingAxis_1620d85b-279c-4797-9854-c83e2a63135c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_42975bc5-4a27-44e5-a323-04a58addc49e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_a9d5416a-e8f1-4c72-b054-1187b9647fd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VestingDomain_42975bc5-4a27-44e5-a323-04a58addc49e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAwardTrancheOneMember_a9d5416a-e8f1-4c72-b054-1187b9647fd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleLTIPUnitsValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleLTIPUnitsValuationAssumptionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleLTIPUnitsValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if3837aeb6ccb4ba9991edfa59b548fa2_ShareandUnitbasedPlansScheduleLTIPUnitsValuationAssumptionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4440cf0-6150-4223-8b53-fe6f0dfb37a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_7fd61949-a0db-41d9-81b2-afee6d6015c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4440cf0-6150-4223-8b53-fe6f0dfb37a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_7fd61949-a0db-41d9-81b2-afee6d6015c1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_8a719393-a4bb-4322-9f24-de8b7670b7dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4440cf0-6150-4223-8b53-fe6f0dfb37a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_8a719393-a4bb-4322-9f24-de8b7670b7dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_934fb426-0cb8-46d8-98e2-7539fc9d6a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b4440cf0-6150-4223-8b53-fe6f0dfb37a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_934fb426-0cb8-46d8-98e2-7539fc9d6a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_934fb426-0cb8-46d8-98e2-7539fc9d6a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_60188f79-242a-44c3-a46f-718a803d93b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_40e76345-3f5c-47f9-b6f4-5179f217797c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_60188f79-242a-44c3-a46f-718a803d93b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_ca574bb6-6a8a-40fa-828b-780d01b431f7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_60188f79-242a-44c3-a46f-718a803d93b7" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_ca574bb6-6a8a-40fa-828b-780d01b431f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_934fb426-0cb8-46d8-98e2-7539fc9d6a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardDateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateAxis_e560cd44-bcc7-435a-aafe-ac327a6a364b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12019Member_0106fc87-8f8c-4253-804a-26142bddcbca" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12019Member_0106fc87-8f8c-4253-804a-26142bddcbca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_September12019Member_9040a794-e7f0-4b6e-bbb1-2352771e72bd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_September12019Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:to="loc_mac_September12019Member_9040a794-e7f0-4b6e-bbb1-2352771e72bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12020Member_9c8cc7e1-37eb-4b9b-a4ea-4ff6060c2fff" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12020Member_9c8cc7e1-37eb-4b9b-a4ea-4ff6060c2fff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_March12020Member_4eb72e51-b9f6-4951-9536-61cda8c17ee0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_March12020Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:to="loc_mac_March12020Member_4eb72e51-b9f6-4951-9536-61cda8c17ee0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_January12021Member_027cf887-ea39-448a-baa0-2dbaea461ceb" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_January12021Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardDateDomain_f58c6601-e433-4e60-8990-30d30e43c6e1" xlink:to="loc_mac_January12021Member_027cf887-ea39-448a-baa0-2dbaea461ceb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansLTIPActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansLTIPActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansLTIPActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9579b5f9ed2f4f6b953a87e4bc90f421_ShareandUnitbasedPlansLTIPActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_84c1d62d-45d6-46a5-8d3b-c4bd3ec73895" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_84c1d62d-45d6-46a5-8d3b-c4bd3ec73895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_123b2500-b9b0-4b76-b62d-275d5612c187" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_123b2500-b9b0-4b76-b62d-275d5612c187" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_fd69b44f-9eeb-45e7-b875-b155f3aed3f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_fd69b44f-9eeb-45e7-b875-b155f3aed3f3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4dca6df1-f821-4380-bdbc-c13fa1bc40ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4dca6df1-f821-4380-bdbc-c13fa1bc40ee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_fe43da03-d68a-4e11-a5d8-2cf75a38ee92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_c731241e-0e4d-4276-8d03-b0ca6293bc23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_fe43da03-d68a-4e11-a5d8-2cf75a38ee92" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_c936f5fd-4c40-4b37-b30e-c493ec265f9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_84c1d62d-45d6-46a5-8d3b-c4bd3ec73895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a5a6b4a2-c1ad-4204-9a03-52f0ce0fd5ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_a5a6b4a2-c1ad-4204-9a03-52f0ce0fd5ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4297d5fa-73e7-45c4-bc61-d1c81ccaeb69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4297d5fa-73e7-45c4-bc61-d1c81ccaeb69" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_21aedbd1-a3d5-4dea-aa1f-9bca87cdb2ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_21aedbd1-a3d5-4dea-aa1f-9bca87cdb2ea" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0d84fa61-8f3a-4765-907e-63f480244562" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_8ecbb89a-18fb-44fb-8522-551c122dbf76" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0d84fa61-8f3a-4765-907e-63f480244562" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_b59ac8d0-943f-4e66-8111-798255411b39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_59935edf-c4c0-48e6-a2c1-a69249f1edae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_84c1d62d-45d6-46a5-8d3b-c4bd3ec73895" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_59935edf-c4c0-48e6-a2c1-a69249f1edae" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_59935edf-c4c0-48e6-a2c1-a69249f1edae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_54e66305-70be-49af-9401-c19347bb7ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3165f383-c668-4b73-93a9-95a996de093c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_54e66305-70be-49af-9401-c19347bb7ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_9cfe8da2-9e15-4b17-af4f-c5249dfc3077" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_54e66305-70be-49af-9401-c19347bb7ed3" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_9cfe8da2-9e15-4b17-af4f-c5249dfc3077" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i25d4e7155ce64744bc0d3f4b6b26f525_ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_98aa43a7-bc1b-43f9-9009-3be1b30f4bc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_98aa43a7-bc1b-43f9-9009-3be1b30f4bc0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4cb272a7-6d0d-4dd0-822f-a874dfe4f306" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4cb272a7-6d0d-4dd0-822f-a874dfe4f306" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_f3722aab-f93a-4965-bf6d-1fcb47005731" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_f3722aab-f93a-4965-bf6d-1fcb47005731" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_725ed4ad-2a3f-441d-91a9-ca670a57ce39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_725ed4ad-2a3f-441d-91a9-ca670a57ce39" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_c153e4de-7d00-4b4b-9846-e77dc930e68f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_c153e4de-7d00-4b4b-9846-e77dc930e68f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_9e0d28c6-b949-44d0-8fd8-5ccf16f2f119" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_9e0d28c6-b949-44d0-8fd8-5ccf16f2f119" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_49b9bc81-1b0a-4547-903b-cea8f4e2108e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_49b9bc81-1b0a-4547-903b-cea8f4e2108e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_45c17c92-ec2f-4ee8-aa07-7daf0e2d3bda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0dda3f2a-abd3-4d3f-8d0d-e9af79ab4cf8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_45c17c92-ec2f-4ee8-aa07-7daf0e2d3bda" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_45c17c92-ec2f-4ee8-aa07-7daf0e2d3bda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d5835da5-2b1a-47a4-b14d-6d3dbb3b874b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3c2753f5-7944-4fe9-9606-aa670c53bfbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d5835da5-2b1a-47a4-b14d-6d3dbb3b874b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NonqualifiedStockOptionsMember_523f5229-9713-4c7f-9b70-a5759396b760" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NonqualifiedStockOptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d5835da5-2b1a-47a4-b14d-6d3dbb3b874b" xlink:to="loc_mac_NonqualifiedStockOptionsMember_523f5229-9713-4c7f-9b70-a5759396b760" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0abb8c10c19c46a79a72eb6fb6a08070_ShareandUnitbasedPlansStockOptionActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_230d1199-e368-455c-8ab0-6f5213790e10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_4d87d73b-c475-4083-8a57-c74359a1ede7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_230d1199-e368-455c-8ab0-6f5213790e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_4d87d73b-c475-4083-8a57-c74359a1ede7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_394241a8-bdec-4162-9c87-c4c2eacfb4c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_4d87d73b-c475-4083-8a57-c74359a1ede7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_394241a8-bdec-4162-9c87-c4c2eacfb4c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_245acfdd-1fca-4106-91b2-cd43bf0250be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_4d87d73b-c475-4083-8a57-c74359a1ede7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_245acfdd-1fca-4106-91b2-cd43bf0250be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_9fd3cff3-68b2-46ce-add7-84940aa5fe88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_878e8adc-a3e5-495f-b4f9-a54b3d4875c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_230d1199-e368-455c-8ab0-6f5213790e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_878e8adc-a3e5-495f-b4f9-a54b3d4875c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_c3df6e1f-c333-4465-bca4-1919af7cf904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_878e8adc-a3e5-495f-b4f9-a54b3d4875c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_c3df6e1f-c333-4465-bca4-1919af7cf904" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1bab6d7a-dad7-4771-a975-fa691cc9cecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePriceRollforward_878e8adc-a3e5-495f-b4f9-a54b3d4875c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1bab6d7a-dad7-4771-a975-fa691cc9cecb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_bf2d3067-460a-483f-b47c-0a7ba86201bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2ff11eb-538f-4867-b8db-b5927c3cc76f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_230d1199-e368-455c-8ab0-6f5213790e10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2ff11eb-538f-4867-b8db-b5927c3cc76f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_b2ff11eb-538f-4867-b8db-b5927c3cc76f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_83d394d4-acbc-4027-8c9a-2186f4a64d11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc4ec26b-825c-4e15-a517-360cdd99a6ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_83d394d4-acbc-4027-8c9a-2186f4a64d11" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_dee96d6d-151f-448a-8a7c-f26e0a08b6b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_83d394d4-acbc-4027-8c9a-2186f4a64d11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_dee96d6d-151f-448a-8a7c-f26e0a08b6b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansDirectorsPhantomStockPlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansDirectorsPhantomStockPlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansDirectorsPhantomStockPlanDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0b3ea25249b84727b8f0a3b5b93ee6a2_ShareandUnitbasedPlansDirectorsPhantomStockPlanDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_08b8026f-939b-44a0-9f2b-118fda5169fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_08b8026f-939b-44a0-9f2b-118fda5169fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate_250d3fb0-9345-46a4-b429-0ee58434b6e7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_mac_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsConversionRate_250d3fb0-9345-46a4-b429-0ee58434b6e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_5ddac7cc-bd11-4e7f-b320-8ce01a03fb4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_5ddac7cc-bd11-4e7f-b320-8ce01a03fb4c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_d5a141d3-de40-4aac-98f9-329756f55bb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_d5a141d3-de40-4aac-98f9-329756f55bb7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_8d21e08f-da4b-41d2-aa7b-3da07e54eec4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_8d21e08f-da4b-41d2-aa7b-3da07e54eec4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_004c92b3-fa59-4980-8574-ec64e27b438c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_004c92b3-fa59-4980-8574-ec64e27b438c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_2df64f7a-d209-4c81-aaa6-4bf4ee33f60b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_2df64f7a-d209-4c81-aaa6-4bf4ee33f60b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_343616a0-0d01-4883-beec-dc502a30def9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_0cb4f3a2-4e54-4f46-a638-fc174ee725b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_343616a0-0d01-4883-beec-dc502a30def9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a054ee10-8a94-442a-b02b-997a137e34b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_31eeee98-5e8e-4d42-a10d-358a24b3406a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_31eeee98-5e8e-4d42-a10d-358a24b3406a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f4c542d1-7e7a-4fb4-af81-12b5fd782885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f4c542d1-7e7a-4fb4-af81-12b5fd782885" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_dc910785-07e2-45b1-ab60-575b0c8fd84c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_dc910785-07e2-45b1-ab60-575b0c8fd84c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_c36c3c70-8759-496c-9fec-2d8a6f387136" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_0cfac0f9-53e9-4006-ac52-2303ade64077" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_c36c3c70-8759-496c-9fec-2d8a6f387136" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f68056ce-718c-486a-8a9f-cebf7694cd93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8fe1c103-8134-4a42-8d0f-ada661960d2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0d8e2e9c-dd6e-4dbd-a9c1-b99f36536273" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8fe1c103-8134-4a42-8d0f-ada661960d2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8fe1c103-8134-4a42-8d0f-ada661960d2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_4f1c5132-5068-424b-b623-d3e634a6197b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f8ce4c1a-88b3-408d-8c20-f97c1e3c3888" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_4f1c5132-5068-424b-b623-d3e634a6197b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DirectorsPhantomStockPlanMember_f2121b24-4a36-4439-a314-734e8c8417a6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DirectorsPhantomStockPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_4f1c5132-5068-424b-b623-d3e634a6197b" xlink:to="loc_mac_DirectorsPhantomStockPlanMember_f2121b24-4a36-4439-a314-734e8c8417a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8fe1c103-8134-4a42-8d0f-ada661960d2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_04602c06-1a9b-44f2-8221-b5a8776d8d6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_34be290b-4cb9-4323-97a3-bd2765b65f32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_04602c06-1a9b-44f2-8221-b5a8776d8d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_a87cc0cf-f598-460b-aa39-43815fb079ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_04602c06-1a9b-44f2-8221-b5a8776d8d6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_a87cc0cf-f598-460b-aa39-43815fb079ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ice76db1fb55c4935a0b6b040def0fddf_ShareandUnitbasedPlansEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b331f999-496f-442a-87d5-2d130da21088" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate_bad89d15-f557-450c-a455-2336192c07f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b331f999-496f-442a-87d5-2d130da21088" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPriceOfferingDate_bad89d15-f557-450c-a455-2336192c07f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_6572a0fc-9498-4635-a109-c27951158a30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b331f999-496f-442a-87d5-2d130da21088" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_6572a0fc-9498-4635-a109-c27951158a30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2eed4f4b-f96e-486a-b04c-e3e74061e3a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b331f999-496f-442a-87d5-2d130da21088" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2eed4f4b-f96e-486a-b04c-e3e74061e3a2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0eefe688-8c27-40e0-b3e8-72023970f644" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_b331f999-496f-442a-87d5-2d130da21088" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0eefe688-8c27-40e0-b3e8-72023970f644" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_0eefe688-8c27-40e0-b3e8-72023970f644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_c73ec1b1-a63b-4602-bb2e-98893af20228" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_01bacd1b-c1d3-40d8-b752-e8fb3e31dcc4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_c73ec1b1-a63b-4602-bb2e-98893af20228" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_0c002e9f-8feb-4902-ab9b-9e60c0704b82" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_c73ec1b1-a63b-4602-bb2e-98893af20228" xlink:to="loc_mac_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember_0c002e9f-8feb-4902-ab9b-9e60c0704b82" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ShareandUnitbasedPlansCompensationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ShareandUnitbasedPlansCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8cc724de08f9491f8e9c1d731d002374_ShareandUnitbasedPlansCompensationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_9addbcd2-7684-4086-9396-a0835c7f712d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_9addbcd2-7684-4086-9396-a0835c7f712d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount_3dfc49ab-1d76-4991-a8c3-2b3aba2c2874" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsCapitalizedAmount_3dfc49ab-1d76-4991-a8c3-2b3aba2c2874" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_b896265f-bb15-4170-a8ef-c80183db6a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_b896265f-bb15-4170-a8ef-c80183db6a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_fcdc5a4c-e078-4496-af4d-8b437935a5e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_fcdc5a4c-e078-4496-af4d-8b437935a5e3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a7efca12-f762-4566-9761-19b1c393eb43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1fc6471b-9c2b-47ee-99cc-1e05c2f5e35f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a7efca12-f762-4566-9761-19b1c393eb43" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_a7efca12-f762-4566-9761-19b1c393eb43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_b9dce7bc-a8f1-4394-ad2c-049916a75aa1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_b1477fde-9ad0-4424-ac5c-9cfde013ba35" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:to="loc_mac_StockUnitsMember_b1477fde-9ad0-4424-ac5c-9cfde013ba35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_379581d8-9508-4d47-ae4b-031680008228" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:to="loc_mac_LongTermIncentivePlanMember_379581d8-9508-4d47-ae4b-031680008228" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_1220cec0-f6ec-4aaa-97e9-d0c11aaba1ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_1220cec0-f6ec-4aaa-97e9-d0c11aaba1ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_af4f1ff8-6fd4-445b-bd31-e52fad745439" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PhantomShareUnitsPSUsMember_af4f1ff8-6fd4-445b-bd31-e52fad745439" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StockAwardsAndStockUnitsMember_86b9a0c0-cdb2-4a12-93e0-a19464672354" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StockAwardsAndStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1fcb3dcf-f433-45f0-a391-0b395857d4a4" xlink:to="loc_mac_StockAwardsAndStockUnitsMember_86b9a0c0-cdb2-4a12-93e0-a19464672354" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i67fc46978a1443998f5bc388b1ac59d8_EmployeeBenefitPlansDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_5b7799f0-6c09-41ed-9fb2-564ac36fdcba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_5b7799f0-6c09-41ed-9fb2-564ac36fdcba" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelOne_55e14ad6-962d-4d72-9aa9-863691127802" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelOne"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelOne_55e14ad6-962d-4d72-9aa9-863691127802" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelOne_c70b2055-4f0f-4313-b662-a67253bea5d7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelOne"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelOne_c70b2055-4f0f-4313-b662-a67253bea5d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelTwo_ff79dca7-3926-4e43-937b-428e03d07fa5" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchLevelTwo_ff79dca7-3926-4e43-937b-428e03d07fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelTwo_d93fa129-b427-459b-9eab-f908da466def" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchEmployeeContributionLevelTwo_d93fa129-b427-459b-9eab-f908da466def" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized_ff4524ec-6152-49ee-8190-083b2d0626de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanCostRecognized_ff4524ec-6152-49ee-8190-083b2d0626de" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ScheduleOfDefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresTable_382bf230-d231-423d-85df-aaa25e159870" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ScheduleOfDefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanDisclosureLineItems_b26f56dc-b9d5-4330-81c6-b12e1d7323d7" xlink:to="loc_mac_ScheduleOfDefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresTable_382bf230-d231-423d-85df-aaa25e159870" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mac_ScheduleOfDefinedContributionPlansDisclosuresTable_382bf230-d231-423d-85df-aaa25e159870" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_7ad553b6-5a6a-4267-be0e-646a733720f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameAxis_cbd42cb4-9aec-4696-b4b1-8548d840d22b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_7ad553b6-5a6a-4267-be0e-646a733720f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanMember_9aa7cf4e-55b4-4829-93e9-6213b3fcb421" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DefinedContributionPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_7ad553b6-5a6a-4267-be0e-646a733720f6" xlink:to="loc_mac_DefinedContributionPlanMember_9aa7cf4e-55b4-4829-93e9-6213b3fcb421" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DeferredCompensationPlansMember_0c259397-1e79-4d27-9263-ed932205a770" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DeferredCompensationPlansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanNameDomain_7ad553b6-5a6a-4267-be0e-646a733720f6" xlink:to="loc_mac_DeferredCompensationPlansMember_0c259397-1e79-4d27-9263-ed932205a770" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#SubsequentEventsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/SubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifc498f4e02fc4bdbb91df3dbad17c2be_SubsequentEventsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a4543c81-76ff-4844-8423-8042e26290bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_2692636c-0c73-4f0c-a704-021ab108ae27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a4543c81-76ff-4844-8423-8042e26290bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_2692636c-0c73-4f0c-a704-021ab108ae27" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2ace833f-de19-468e-86fd-332399226ae6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a4543c81-76ff-4844-8423-8042e26290bb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2ace833f-de19-468e-86fd-332399226ae6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_2ace833f-de19-468e-86fd-332399226ae6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_87988335-cb64-4f9c-b32f-adbeb918906c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_32763abc-fa96-4fbe-a797-7454ae1dc7b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_87988335-cb64-4f9c-b32f-adbeb918906c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_95285232-7acb-47c1-9356-796eead3b389" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_87988335-cb64-4f9c-b32f-adbeb918906c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_95285232-7acb-47c1-9356-796eead3b389" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationScheduleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationScheduleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationScheduleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie31e4c76ae1344fb90aa264a5e5ca03d_ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationScheduleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract_83eca633-c353-4ff4-ad32-0eb7bede1537" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract_83eca633-c353-4ff4-ad32-0eb7bede1537" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfLand_1315b8ec-b15c-4684-9ceb-b8d6e0f3f318" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract_83eca633-c353-4ff4-ad32-0eb7bede1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfLand_1315b8ec-b15c-4684-9ceb-b8d6e0f3f318" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfBuildingsAndImprovements_d32e0630-c836-4df9-a17c-9cb24d47600f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfBuildingsAndImprovements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract_83eca633-c353-4ff4-ad32-0eb7bede1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfBuildingsAndImprovements_d32e0630-c836-4df9-a17c-9cb24d47600f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfEquipmentFurnishing_02afc038-4df3-4bd4-93c4-dc82c3ab7fb0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfEquipmentFurnishing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostAbstract_83eca633-c353-4ff4-ad32-0eb7bede1537" xlink:to="loc_mac_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationInitialCostOfEquipmentFurnishing_02afc038-4df3-4bd4-93c4-dc82c3ab7fb0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCostsCapitalizedSubsequentToAcquisitionCarryingCosts_1816f12a-0cdf-4aae-82e1-a8d12be377b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCostsCapitalizedSubsequentToAcquisitionCarryingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCostsCapitalizedSubsequentToAcquisitionCarryingCosts_1816f12a-0cdf-4aae-82e1-a8d12be377b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLand_0486237f-511c-437e-8964-2294ec279fd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLand"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLand_0486237f-511c-437e-8964-2294ec279fd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfBuildingsAndImprovements_1fd72460-7183-4a76-bf86-ab920866f76e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfBuildingsAndImprovements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfBuildingsAndImprovements_1fd72460-7183-4a76-bf86-ab920866f76e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross_86ce0aa4-f334-4363-8461-18b7d66b731b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FixturesAndEquipmentGross_86ce0aa4-f334-4363-8461-18b7d66b731b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_ca8ecb41-a48a-44b7-a66f-29ad75f8f2eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DevelopmentInProcess_ca8ecb41-a48a-44b7-a66f-29ad75f8f2eb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue_c59de74e-fa34-4a95-a5c4-a99ebfad83d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationCarryingAmountOfLandAndBuildingsAndImprovementsAbstract_d74759f1-24aa-4aa5-9f83-b966c8e645f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateGrossAtCarryingValue_c59de74e-fa34-4a95-a5c4-a99ebfad83d1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAccumulatedDepreciation_13c02b40-8d7a-480d-8c5a-a767d5c80c78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAccumulatedDepreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAccumulatedDepreciation_13c02b40-8d7a-480d-8c5a-a767d5c80c78" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SECScheduleIIIRealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_3a75f5a8-d5c1-4e24-83e0-e97f904a84f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SECScheduleIIIRealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SECScheduleIIIRealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet_3a75f5a8-d5c1-4e24-83e0-e97f904a84f4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_b6271a9f-393d-49b9-b3d2-5c08fb1cc653" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_b5185a19-7395-441f-82bb-e75a33efc720" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_b6271a9f-393d-49b9-b3d2-5c08fb1cc653" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_b6271a9f-393d-49b9-b3d2-5c08fb1cc653" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_52218159-48eb-47b4-a956-006b4ec261e6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember_0bb5d75d-400e-4c40-bb0c-f1fa9d921ad8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_ChandlerFashionCenterMember_0bb5d75d-400e-4c40-bb0c-f1fa9d921ad8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMember_eb2aac1c-1905-4303-b411-acbfea8fe1ec" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DanburyFairMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_DanburyFairMallMember_eb2aac1c-1905-4303-b411-acbfea8fe1ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_DesertSkyMallMember_c20d3a06-6e4b-4f51-9ff7-91e987f739bd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_DesertSkyMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_DesertSkyMallMember_c20d3a06-6e4b-4f51-9ff7-91e987f739bd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EastlandMallMember_bfa188f1-9669-42eb-96ae-4123578d4e2c" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EastlandMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_EastlandMallMember_bfa188f1-9669-42eb-96ae-4123578d4e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_bdde19a7-6478-41ae-9312-a7e7200adf68" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionDistrictPhiladelphiaMember_bdde19a7-6478-41ae-9312-a7e7200adf68" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMember_5fbe78ea-563e-48f7-af48-cc63a5b4c703" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfChicagoMember_5fbe78ea-563e-48f7-af48-cc63a5b4c703" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfNiagaraMember_fcdb6599-8ed8-4197-ac50-50f92f667134" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FashionOutletsOfNiagaraMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FashionOutletsOfNiagaraMember_fcdb6599-8ed8-4197-ac50-50f92f667134" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FlagstaffMallTheMarketPlaceAtMember_21dc3d0c-5274-4d85-8a31-c1f2a27c45dd" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FlagstaffMallTheMarketPlaceAtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FlagstaffMallTheMarketPlaceAtMember_21dc3d0c-5274-4d85-8a31-c1f2a27c45dd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember_f6dc2a13-1548-409d-821b-95b9631bf2a9" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FreeholdRacewayMallMember_f6dc2a13-1548-409d-821b-95b9631bf2a9" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FresnoFashionFairMember_8acc11ca-5723-4f8d-8477-62442a91f7bb" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FresnoFashionFairMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FresnoFashionFairMember_8acc11ca-5723-4f8d-8477-62442a91f7bb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMember_c6e3f3e2-1b1a-4688-bc9c-482a5e622160" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_GreenAcresMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_GreenAcresMallMember_c6e3f3e2-1b1a-4688-bc9c-482a5e622160" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_InlandCenterMember_0026077b-b791-4806-b7be-74d7ae37c33b" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_InlandCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_InlandCenterMember_0026077b-b791-4806-b7be-74d7ae37c33b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_KingsPlazaMember_cf7c1752-58f8-47b4-9302-ef1f7e1d4f04" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_KingsPlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_KingsPlazaMember_cf7c1752-58f8-47b4-9302-ef1f7e1d4f04" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_LaCumbrePlazaMember_86c8ab24-694f-44aa-b642-8ad7a0492e1d" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_LaCumbrePlazaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_LaCumbrePlazaMember_86c8ab24-694f-44aa-b642-8ad7a0492e1d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MacerichManagementCompanyMember_5c2e9054-ab76-4961-a32b-edb62bb81ff4" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MacerichManagementCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_MacerichManagementCompanyMember_5c2e9054-ab76-4961-a32b-edb62bb81ff4" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_MACWHLPMember_efa2aaf1-630e-46d0-a644-8d6340aa6f52" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_MACWHLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_MACWHLPMember_efa2aaf1-630e-46d0-a644-8d6340aa6f52" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_NorthparkMallMember_26d08db1-daeb-49a2-b5c9-9af039fa6887" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_NorthparkMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_NorthparkMallMember_26d08db1-daeb-49a2-b5c9-9af039fa6887" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheOaksMember_a743b5ec-9aa6-4948-b297-426da87ce75e" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheOaksMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheOaksMember_a743b5ec-9aa6-4948-b297-426da87ce75e" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PacificViewMember_a8546d14-a510-4cd5-9b70-e5144f740375" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PacificViewMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_PacificViewMember_a8546d14-a510-4cd5-9b70-e5144f740375" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_PrasadaNoteMember_9155e3a6-a105-40bc-b598-9f2929a219c0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_PrasadaNoteMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_PrasadaNoteMember_9155e3a6-a105-40bc-b598-9f2929a219c0" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_QueensCenterMember_2e54dbca-abba-4c24-b9a0-21a45e004a36" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_QueensCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_QueensCenterMember_2e54dbca-abba-4c24-b9a0-21a45e004a36" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember_f291a9e2-25fb-47f9-868c-cf4634716f92" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SantaMonicaPlaceMember_f291a9e2-25fb-47f9-868c-cf4634716f92" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SanTanAdjacentLandMember_93abcde9-bcc7-466b-a724-892607bac046" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SanTanAdjacentLandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SanTanAdjacentLandMember_93abcde9-bcc7-466b-a724-892607bac046" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMember_a807a53c-ee41-48d3-8048-3997e91834f0" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SanTanVillageRegionalCenterMember_a807a53c-ee41-48d3-8048-3997e91834f0" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_85be84c4-70ff-446e-b318-ff608969ba95" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SearsSouthPlainsMember_85be84c4-70ff-446e-b318-ff608969ba95" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SouthParkMallMember_34e4cdda-9196-4e10-84e6-9aa55d3f2287" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SouthParkMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SouthParkMallMember_34e4cdda-9196-4e10-84e6-9aa55d3f2287" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SouthridgeCenterMember_17b258e7-1f38-44a5-a4c5-469d82a17de7" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SouthridgeCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SouthridgeCenterMember_17b258e7-1f38-44a5-a4c5-469d82a17de7" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_StonewoodCenterMember_50ee7db7-2230-4a73-a751-3fbe503f71be" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_StonewoodCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_StonewoodCenterMember_50ee7db7-2230-4a73-a751-3fbe503f71be" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SuperstitionSpringsCenterMember_8cf575e3-f284-4876-bf31-f37a85de3af8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SuperstitionSpringsCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SuperstitionSpringsCenterMember_8cf575e3-f284-4876-bf31-f37a85de3af8" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_SuperstitionSpringsPowerCenterMember_b598ce6c-cdb4-4325-9a80-7b65aeeadab2" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_SuperstitionSpringsPowerCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_SuperstitionSpringsPowerCenterMember_b598ce6c-cdb4-4325-9a80-7b65aeeadab2" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_b89d6996-7130-4dc7-b446-c0792fe28eb8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_TheMacerichPartnershipLPMember_b89d6996-7130-4dc7-b446-c0792fe28eb8" xlink:type="arc" order="30"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TowneMallMember_82e659ec-a444-49b2-a7b8-8daad6b8b2f6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TowneMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_TowneMallMember_82e659ec-a444-49b2-a7b8-8daad6b8b2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="31"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ValleyMallMember_fdcbe3e1-efa1-4b83-8e31-ba34052d92a6" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ValleyMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_ValleyMallMember_fdcbe3e1-efa1-4b83-8e31-ba34052d92a6" xlink:type="arc" order="32"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_ValleyRiverCenterMember_bd680053-52b4-4c85-a5a7-68eac1913c39" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_ValleyRiverCenterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_ValleyRiverCenterMember_bd680053-52b4-4c85-a5a7-68eac1913c39" xlink:type="arc" order="33"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_VictorValleyMallOfMember_6878794f-5fba-4491-95ea-40a7656de791" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_VictorValleyMallOfMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_VictorValleyMallOfMember_6878794f-5fba-4491-95ea-40a7656de791" xlink:type="arc" order="34"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_VintageFaireMallMember_7d6843e5-fe4c-40d1-bb8a-cf3df986c7bc" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_VintageFaireMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_VintageFaireMallMember_7d6843e5-fe4c-40d1-bb8a-cf3df986c7bc" xlink:type="arc" order="35"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_WiltonMallMember_0ad384d0-0a28-4f2f-955e-2eed853af9d2" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_WiltonMallMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_WiltonMallMember_0ad384d0-0a28-4f2f-955e-2eed853af9d2" xlink:type="arc" order="36"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_FreestandingStoreMember_ae7bee60-0475-441b-880c-015a1133b707" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_FreestandingStoreMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_FreestandingStoreMember_ae7bee60-0475-441b-880c-015a1133b707" xlink:type="arc" order="37"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_OtherAssetsAndDevelopmentPropertiesMember_e4bf64e9-d442-409f-82be-f2105168603f" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_OtherAssetsAndDevelopmentPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_d3c6c38a-f5a1-47a5-8715-9d8bce9f344a" xlink:to="loc_mac_OtherAssetsAndDevelopmentPropertiesMember_e4bf64e9-d442-409f-82be-f2105168603f" xlink:type="arc" order="38"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.macerich.com/role/ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationDepreciationScheduleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationDepreciationScheduleDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.macerich.com/role/ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationDepreciationScheduleDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id8215f2ecb4b48a78425f706b7ac4879_ScheduleIIIRealEstateandAccumulatedDepreciationDepreciationScheduleDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_74ef9f0d-557b-460d-9ee3-4286f2ee7a62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLifeUsedForDepreciation1_288babd7-772e-4545-b7fa-926ddd28c947" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLifeUsedForDepreciation1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_74ef9f0d-557b-460d-9ee3-4286f2ee7a62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLifeUsedForDepreciation1_288babd7-772e-4545-b7fa-926ddd28c947" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_9556bc8a-f565-4883-94db-fe1d18829f2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationLineItems_74ef9f0d-557b-460d-9ee3-4286f2ee7a62" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_9556bc8a-f565-4883-94db-fe1d18829f2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_9556bc8a-f565-4883-94db-fe1d18829f2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_e6f38904-8a1d-4c43-89a1-5313d8311cca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_61b4be78-e007-4ed5-a8dc-7c6404e65e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_e6f38904-8a1d-4c43-89a1-5313d8311cca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_1c67f8b5-807d-46a9-a645-ad429e440855" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_e6f38904-8a1d-4c43-89a1-5313d8311cca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_1c67f8b5-807d-46a9-a645-ad429e440855" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_TenantImprovementsMember_5c541f76-597d-44e0-a4fa-789322134f07" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_TenantImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_e6f38904-8a1d-4c43-89a1-5313d8311cca" xlink:to="loc_mac_TenantImprovementsMember_5c541f76-597d-44e0-a4fa-789322134f07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember_4086d88b-e8a8-4247-b34a-213c397493d8" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_e6f38904-8a1d-4c43-89a1-5313d8311cca" xlink:to="loc_mac_EquipmentAndFurnishingsMember_4086d88b-e8a8-4247-b34a-213c397493d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationByPropertyTable_9556bc8a-f565-4883-94db-fe1d18829f2f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_c45653f7-b8e4-41da-93b1-5bd6545113b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_eea150ce-0cb9-4eea-ab38-d3002f0075e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_c45653f7-b8e4-41da-93b1-5bd6545113b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_9a5c3f16-822c-4de5-b48d-d202e15eee17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_c45653f7-b8e4-41da-93b1-5bd6545113b6" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_9a5c3f16-822c-4de5-b48d-d202e15eee17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ac9601eb-5418-45e4-a1e0-d1fc57d379e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_c45653f7-b8e4-41da-93b1-5bd6545113b6" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_ac9601eb-5418-45e4-a1e0-d1fc57d379e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-roles-2021-01-31.xsd#eedm"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mac_OperatingAndFinanceLeaseLiability_fc2cd515-fe3c-4b75-b4ba-440f4e810365" xlink:href="mac-20211231.xsd#mac_OperatingAndFinanceLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:to="loc_mac_OperatingAndFinanceLeaseLiability_fc2cd515-fe3c-4b75-b4ba-440f4e810365" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
