<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividends" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CapitalStockAndDividends" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividendsDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CapitalStockAndDividendsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividendsTables" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CapitalStockAndDividendsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CapitalStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/General" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#General" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#GeneralDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEffectiveDateOfInterestRateSwapAgreementDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapEffectiveDateOfInterestRateSwapAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEndingFiscalPeriodAoclBalanceDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapEndingFiscalPeriodAoclBalanceDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEstimatedAmountToBeReclassifiedIntoEarningsNext12MonthsDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapEstimatedAmountToBeReclassifiedIntoEarningsNext12MonthsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapNotes" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapNotes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapReclassificationFromAociToIncomeDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapReclassificationFromAociToIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapScheduleOfChangesInAoclNetOfTaxDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapScheduleOfChangesInAoclNetOfTaxDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapTables" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapTaxImpactOfDerivativeLiabilityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#InterestRateSwapTaxImpactOfDerivativeLiabilityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShare" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#NetIncomePerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShareDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#NetIncomePerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShareTables" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#NetIncomePerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#NewAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SegmentReporting" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingNumberOfReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SegmentReportingNumberOfReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SeniorCreditFacility" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SeniorCreditFacility" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SeniorCreditFacilityCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#SeniorCreditFacilityCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStock" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#TreasuryStock" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStockDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#TreasuryStockDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <roleRef roleURI="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStockIncreaseSharesAuthorizedShareRepurchaseProgramDetails" xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#TreasuryStockIncreaseSharesAuthorizedShareRepurchaseProgramDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividends" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividendsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_6223FF80BC404620127BFD367D285D37" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5BDCCD678618E013D54CFD367D28E55F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_6223FF80BC404620127BFD367D285D37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5BDCCD678618E013D54CFD367D28E55F" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_F21E5DD4D9B0387294ABFD367D28C25E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5BDCCD678618E013D54CFD367D28E55F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_F21E5DD4D9B0387294ABFD367D28C25E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_34CF1935FE6850E70D51FD367D28FB2E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_F21E5DD4D9B0387294ABFD367D28C25E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_34CF1935FE6850E70D51FD367D28FB2E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_34CF1935FE6850E70D51FD367D28FB2E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_F21E5DD4D9B0387294ABFD367D28C25E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_34CF1935FE6850E70D51FD367D28FB2E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_A5FDE5387CF8BDDD38FEFD367D28F7CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_34CF1935FE6850E70D51FD367D28FB2E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_A5FDE5387CF8BDDD38FEFD367D28F7CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_FC492E43718234C48EBAFD367D280AE1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_6223FF80BC404620127BFD367D285D37" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_FC492E43718234C48EBAFD367D280AE1" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockAndDividendsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CapitalStockNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_E259665F2CCD6193C141F7865EA5EB0C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_0FC1D3AF787B810F9045F7865EA5CD93" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_E259665F2CCD6193C141F7865EA5EB0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_0FC1D3AF787B810F9045F7865EA5CD93" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_1389E3A31BEEB3F5F20FF7865EA52A66" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_0FC1D3AF787B810F9045F7865EA5CD93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_1389E3A31BEEB3F5F20FF7865EA52A66" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_630D97757F9243ED324CF7865EA5421F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_1389E3A31BEEB3F5F20FF7865EA52A66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_630D97757F9243ED324CF7865EA5421F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_630D97757F9243ED324CF7865EA5421F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_1389E3A31BEEB3F5F20FF7865EA52A66" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_630D97757F9243ED324CF7865EA5421F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_D96E876BE0B122717537F7865EA5C7D7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_630D97757F9243ED324CF7865EA5421F" xlink:to="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_D96E876BE0B122717537F7865EA5C7D7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_B5D7CE47A26C2642571FF7865EA5E51E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_0FC1D3AF787B810F9045F7865EA5CD93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_B5D7CE47A26C2642571FF7865EA5E51E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_4B3CDA812CE6EB293F38F7865EA56287_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_B5D7CE47A26C2642571FF7865EA5E51E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_4B3CDA812CE6EB293F38F7865EA56287_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_4B3CDA812CE6EB293F38F7865EA56287" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_B5D7CE47A26C2642571FF7865EA5E51E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_4B3CDA812CE6EB293F38F7865EA56287" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6BCAF0DFCB1813353FA5F7865EA58B54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_0FC1D3AF787B810F9045F7865EA5CD93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6BCAF0DFCB1813353FA5F7865EA58B54" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BA830BC6704FBD5FE49AF7865EA5DCCA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6BCAF0DFCB1813353FA5F7865EA58B54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BA830BC6704FBD5FE49AF7865EA5DCCA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BA830BC6704FBD5FE49AF7865EA5DCCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6BCAF0DFCB1813353FA5F7865EA58B54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_BA830BC6704FBD5FE49AF7865EA5DCCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_2F20F104606A8888109BF79871D328F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_E259665F2CCD6193C141F7865EA5EB0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_2F20F104606A8888109BF79871D328F9" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/General" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/GeneralDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_A4B65230CA400B89401E263544F905F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_A4B65230CA400B89401E263544F905F7" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_FC3C5D13AA3920B60D39263544F99615" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_A4B65230CA400B89401E263544F905F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_FC3C5D13AA3920B60D39263544F99615" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_363176A64028B62AEF0F263544F9B669_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_FC3C5D13AA3920B60D39263544F99615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_363176A64028B62AEF0F263544F9B669_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_363176A64028B62AEF0F263544F9B669" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_FC3C5D13AA3920B60D39263544F99615" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_363176A64028B62AEF0F263544F9B669" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_45662B7017464BC1E06B263544F934F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_363176A64028B62AEF0F263544F9B669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_45662B7017464BC1E06B263544F934F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_A5D8B0C463AE93B750FF263544F9DF23" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_A4B65230CA400B89401E263544F905F7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_A5D8B0C463AE93B750FF263544F9DF23" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_A5D8B0C463AE93B750FF263544F9DF23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_A5D8B0C463AE93B750FF263544F9DF23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_InterestRateSwapLongTermPortionMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_InterestRateSwapLongTermPortionMember_D886A65D9EAEFC63F921263544F9CD62" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90" xlink:to="loc_tsco_InterestRateSwapLongTermPortionMember_D886A65D9EAEFC63F921263544F9CD62" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_InterestRateSwapShortTermPortionMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_InterestRateSwapShortTermPortionMember_1599FE5CAB8A476B9099263544F9418E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8C31E64744F318721398263544F9CA90" xlink:to="loc_tsco_InterestRateSwapShortTermPortionMember_1599FE5CAB8A476B9099263544F9418E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_A87DB54DCBDB7360C664263544F954D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_A87DB54DCBDB7360C664263544F954D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortion" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortion_CAADB2B1CA4B46E6018C263544F918B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortion_CAADB2B1CA4B46E6018C263544F918B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax_C222F02FD7B4941A842E263544F93056" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDerivativesQualifyingAsHedgesTax_C222F02FD7B4941A842E263544F93056" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_C3C19200E23E3732F7CE263544F98B2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodBeforeTax_C3C19200E23E3732F7CE263544F98B2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred_903AAD0231902AE51C58263544F9E1EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred_903AAD0231902AE51C58263544F9E1EA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionChangesInFairValueGainLoss1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionChangesInFairValueGainLoss1_BDAD6AE369E98573ABAC263544F9BE98" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionChangesInFairValueGainLoss1_BDAD6AE369E98573ABAC263544F9BE98" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_8C1BCBAF3B854BA10139263544F925E8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeCurrentPeriodNetOfTax_8C1BCBAF3B854BA10139263544F925E8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTesting" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTesting_63404FF21D58E5EF4CCA263544F9E0AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTesting_63404FF21D58E5EF4CCA263544F9E0AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_FB9405E392BA59118370263544F93085" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_FB9405E392BA59118370263544F93085" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInceptionDates" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInceptionDates_AA13D93DD61FC8AF95FA263544F95756" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInceptionDates_AA13D93DD61FC8AF95FA263544F95756" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates_E86038235551E9B2CEC9263544F97FB2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates_E86038235551E9B2CEC9263544F97FB2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_A9E7B551DFE5AF8C48452692D0CCA6B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityNotionalAmount_A9E7B551DFE5AF8C48452692D0CCA6B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_CA2D9E451B0CB5A484D9263544F9FDCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_CA2D9E451B0CB5A484D9263544F9FDCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_5D7F9F059193F948CBF8263544F96C1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_782E7D41C7D0FCD002E4263544F90AEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_5D7F9F059193F948CBF8263544F96C1B" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEffectiveDateOfInterestRateSwapAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEndingFiscalPeriodAoclBalanceDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_9451C2EFCCA4EEBC91141B10D53CA292" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_9451C2EFCCA4EEBC91141B10D53CA292" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_BB39C2984171F0ADB6BE1B10D52F1D2A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_BB39C2984171F0ADB6BE1B10D52F1D2A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7B789DA1F3387FE40AED1B10D52FD297_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_BB39C2984171F0ADB6BE1B10D52F1D2A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7B789DA1F3387FE40AED1B10D52FD297_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7B789DA1F3387FE40AED1B10D52FD297" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_BB39C2984171F0ADB6BE1B10D52F1D2A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_7B789DA1F3387FE40AED1B10D52FD297" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_71FC634E9024E8D95F691B10D52F4BEE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_71FC634E9024E8D95F691B10D52F4BEE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_B27961F31E453D6ED5EC1B10D533AFEF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_71FC634E9024E8D95F691B10D52F4BEE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_B27961F31E453D6ED5EC1B10D533AFEF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_B27961F31E453D6ED5EC1B10D533AFEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_71FC634E9024E8D95F691B10D52F4BEE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_B27961F31E453D6ED5EC1B10D533AFEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_93F8C0F446D69E303BF11B10D5341ABB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_93F8C0F446D69E303BF11B10D5341ABB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_84CF2CAA1647A3B86E5D1B10D5346128_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_93F8C0F446D69E303BF11B10D5341ABB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_84CF2CAA1647A3B86E5D1B10D5346128_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_84CF2CAA1647A3B86E5D1B10D5346128" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_93F8C0F446D69E303BF11B10D5341ABB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_84CF2CAA1647A3B86E5D1B10D5346128" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_F04C3FFD508412FF3ACB1B10D5353409" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_F04C3FFD508412FF3ACB1B10D5353409" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_56C234994934BEEA71791B10D535717E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_F04C3FFD508412FF3ACB1B10D5353409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_56C234994934BEEA71791B10D535717E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_56C234994934BEEA71791B10D535717E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_F04C3FFD508412FF3ACB1B10D5353409" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_56C234994934BEEA71791B10D535717E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_71A4999C4B6ABB4D82491B10D53BC3D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_435F7799015662273B631B10D52E838B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_71A4999C4B6ABB4D82491B10D53BC3D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_C4D8B68D4522BF0CD93B1B10D53BE827_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_71A4999C4B6ABB4D82491B10D53BC3D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_C4D8B68D4522BF0CD93B1B10D53BE827_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_C4D8B68D4522BF0CD93B1B10D53BE827" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_71A4999C4B6ABB4D82491B10D53BC3D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_C4D8B68D4522BF0CD93B1B10D53BE827" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapEstimatedAmountToBeReclassifiedIntoEarningsNext12MonthsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_8FF99F7AEB5EA84520511C079CDC4EF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_49E1E85346075CD572541C079CDCFA0C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_8FF99F7AEB5EA84520511C079CDC4EF5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_49E1E85346075CD572541C079CDCFA0C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_0581E1136FE9B3364EAD1C079CDCB80C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_49E1E85346075CD572541C079CDCFA0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_0581E1136FE9B3364EAD1C079CDCB80C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_69DC985D5E0B76AA62ED1C079CDC1CEF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_0581E1136FE9B3364EAD1C079CDCB80C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_69DC985D5E0B76AA62ED1C079CDC1CEF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_69DC985D5E0B76AA62ED1C079CDC1CEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationAxis_0581E1136FE9B3364EAD1C079CDCB80C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_69DC985D5E0B76AA62ED1C079CDC1CEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_BeginningBalanceMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_BeginningBalanceMember_553758B9B78B4291AB6B1C079CDC566A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLocationDomain_69DC985D5E0B76AA62ED1C079CDC1CEF" xlink:to="loc_tsco_BeginningBalanceMember_553758B9B78B4291AB6B1C079CDC566A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_B7AFF13336D12DC941821C079CDC04A1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_49E1E85346075CD572541C079CDCFA0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_B7AFF13336D12DC941821C079CDC04A1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_D6A83DCA60D61EDCB2471C079CDC01F1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_B7AFF13336D12DC941821C079CDC04A1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_D6A83DCA60D61EDCB2471C079CDC01F1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_D6A83DCA60D61EDCB2471C079CDC01F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis_B7AFF13336D12DC941821C079CDC04A1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_D6A83DCA60D61EDCB2471C079CDC01F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_4675F831B42101159CD31C079CDCD1A1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_49E1E85346075CD572541C079CDCFA0C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_4675F831B42101159CD31C079CDCD1A1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_2D9E30CCAB7414408EB51C079CDCAAA2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_4675F831B42101159CD31C079CDCD1A1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_2D9E30CCAB7414408EB51C079CDCAAA2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_2D9E30CCAB7414408EB51C079CDCAAA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis_4675F831B42101159CD31C079CDCD1A1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HedgingRelationshipDomain_2D9E30CCAB7414408EB51C079CDCAAA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred_B442EA230C348905B8791C079CDC59F8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_8FF99F7AEB5EA84520511C079CDC4EF5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimatedNetAmountToBeTransferred_B442EA230C348905B8791C079CDC59F8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_B3057ED319EB9C4366501C079CDC349F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_8FF99F7AEB5EA84520511C079CDC4EF5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_B3057ED319EB9C4366501C079CDC349F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue_CDED79811F164298FE8C1C079CDC6924" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_8FF99F7AEB5EA84520511C079CDC4EF5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsNeededForImmediateSettlementAggregateFairValue_CDED79811F164298FE8C1C079CDC6924" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapNotes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapReclassificationFromAociToIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapScheduleOfChangesInAoclNetOfTaxDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/InterestRateSwapTaxImpactOfDerivativeLiabilityOnAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NetIncomePerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/NewAccountingPronouncements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_7464E0CC511DAE744069FD2EE4AB8DDE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_A26434DDCF524D3B7D8AFD2EE4A7F46E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_7464E0CC511DAE744069FD2EE4AB8DDE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_A26434DDCF524D3B7D8AFD2EE4A7F46E" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis_FB7C66DCC4A72710132DFD2EE4A7CB87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_A26434DDCF524D3B7D8AFD2EE4A7F46E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis_FB7C66DCC4A72710132DFD2EE4A7CB87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis_FB7C66DCC4A72710132DFD2EE4A7CB87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis_FB7C66DCC4A72710132DFD2EE4A7CB87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_LivestockAndPetMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_LivestockAndPetMember_D6C7C9DC181FEBE14EE9FD2EE4A7AFCC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:to="loc_tsco_LivestockAndPetMember_D6C7C9DC181FEBE14EE9FD2EE4A7AFCC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_HardwareToolsAndTruckMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_HardwareToolsAndTruckMember_B9599DB22627E5ED5309FD2EE4AA892A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:to="loc_tsco_HardwareToolsAndTruckMember_B9599DB22627E5ED5309FD2EE4AA892A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_SeasonalGiftAndToyProductsMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_SeasonalGiftAndToyProductsMember_A33EE65F3A50311F903BFD2EE4ABF1A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:to="loc_tsco_SeasonalGiftAndToyProductsMember_A33EE65F3A50311F903BFD2EE4ABF1A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_ClothingAndFootwareMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_ClothingAndFootwareMember_A16D76A1433745D233C5FD2EE4AB159A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:to="loc_tsco_ClothingAndFootwareMember_A16D76A1433745D233C5FD2EE4AB159A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_AgricultureMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_AgricultureMember_9525F3EE53C7E4F3A042FD2EE4AB8D39" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_B2A5AE01E67059FC223CFD2EE4A71BF2" xlink:to="loc_tsco_AgricultureMember_9525F3EE53C7E4F3A042FD2EE4AB8D39" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_EF5F1902599C68C4AC7BFD2EE4ABB8D5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_7464E0CC511DAE744069FD2EE4AB8DDE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_EF5F1902599C68C4AC7BFD2EE4ABB8D5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_SalesRevenueNetPercentage" xlink:label="loc_tsco_SalesRevenueNetPercentage_BCE783854596D5D77CCCFD2EE4AB0B39" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_7464E0CC511DAE744069FD2EE4AB8DDE" xlink:to="loc_tsco_SalesRevenueNetPercentage_BCE783854596D5D77CCCFD2EE4AB0B39" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingNumberOfReportableSegmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SeniorCreditFacility" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/SeniorCreditFacilityCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7B987C5B56B72D5CCF392BABE3A3AFB5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7B987C5B56B72D5CCF392BABE3A3AFB5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7B987C5B56B72D5CCF392BABE3A3AFB5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7B987C5B56B72D5CCF392BABE3A3AFB5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_NumberofFinancialCovenantsMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_NumberofFinancialCovenantsMember_7F2F5CED5E536BE62AD32BABE3A3CCC6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_NumberofFinancialCovenantsMember_7F2F5CED5E536BE62AD32BABE3A3CCC6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_FA13C36BCE0E31FEF3DD2BABE3A3E70E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_FA13C36BCE0E31FEF3DD2BABE3A3E70E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_DueinyearsoneandtwoMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_DueinyearsoneandtwoMember_8D38669A8B43C7975B412BABE3A31EAF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_DueinyearsoneandtwoMember_8D38669A8B43C7975B412BABE3A31EAF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_DueinyearsthreethroughfiveMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_DueinyearsthreethroughfiveMember_A476A535A949A7D84ED22BABE3A38CF3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_DueinyearsthreethroughfiveMember_A476A535A949A7D84ED22BABE3A38CF3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_FixedChargeCoverageRatioMinimumRequirementMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_FixedChargeCoverageRatioMinimumRequirementMember_1DA7063599DFE8762A382BABE3A36EA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_FixedChargeCoverageRatioMinimumRequirementMember_1DA7063599DFE8762A382BABE3A36EA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_LeverageRatioMaximumRequirementMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_LeverageRatioMaximumRequirementMember_04C9D6FCA01F0CA8B3662BABE3A3DDFB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_E65143D308623B7D5D712BABE3A3B592" xlink:to="loc_tsco_LeverageRatioMaximumRequirementMember_04C9D6FCA01F0CA8B3662BABE3A3DDFB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_B7D263FF068AD5DCC5F52BABE3A34C10" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_B7D263FF068AD5DCC5F52BABE3A34C10" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_B7D263FF068AD5DCC5F52BABE3A34C10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_B7D263FF068AD5DCC5F52BABE3A34C10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_SeniorcreditfacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_SeniorcreditfacilityMember_B8DA541982D575DD48AD2BABE3A36411" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610" xlink:to="loc_tsco_SeniorcreditfacilityMember_B8DA541982D575DD48AD2BABE3A36411" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_SwinglineloanMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_SwinglineloanMember_2067FEEAB34FB25121DF2BABE3A347B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610" xlink:to="loc_tsco_SwinglineloanMember_2067FEEAB34FB25121DF2BABE3A347B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_094FCB046C335E7509232BABE3A33DDC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1B491E8501A09E866D402BABE3A39610" xlink:to="loc_tsco_A2016SeniorCreditFacilityMember_094FCB046C335E7509232BABE3A33DDC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2F43C42B8DDFEFF29A122BABE3A3AA7A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2F43C42B8DDFEFF29A122BABE3A3AA7A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2F43C42B8DDFEFF29A122BABE3A3AA7A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_2F43C42B8DDFEFF29A122BABE3A3AA7A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_5C0D2B3AC21498D36AF42BABE3A3FFDB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_5C0D2B3AC21498D36AF42BABE3A3FFDB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_F804C4307C36F2ADBB5F2BABE3A31D3E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_5F2180D81CFD21E5AA782BABE3A319D3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_F804C4307C36F2ADBB5F2BABE3A31D3E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_99B29458A9C82A47BB752BABE3A3EF84" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9790FE10FC06D7D894222BABE3A34079" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_99B29458A9C82A47BB752BABE3A3EF84" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_99B29458A9C82A47BB752BABE3A3EF84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_99B29458A9C82A47BB752BABE3A3EF84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_A8CB894ED8427A970F5E2BABE3B27A72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_A8CB894ED8427A970F5E2BABE3B27A72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_202EF7E1ADA0FBB471042BABE3B24DAC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B4939BF796E933987DCD2BABE3B20A4F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_202EF7E1ADA0FBB471042BABE3B24DAC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_057C0E53BA9B3A50514B2BABE3B289D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_057C0E53BA9B3A50514B2BABE3B289D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_SwinglineLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_tsco_SwinglineLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity_CBBEAF5DA9575F1D3DCA2BABE3B2584B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_tsco_SwinglineLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity_CBBEAF5DA9575F1D3DCA2BABE3B2584B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumMonthendOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumMonthendOutstandingAmount_29B99BD215C430C99DE72BABE3B2EDB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumMonthendOutstandingAmount_29B99BD215C430C99DE72BABE3B2EDB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_38340208BF5C2995CBD52BABE3B2BEC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_38340208BF5C2995CBD52BABE3B2BEC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_TermloanMaximumMonthEndOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_tsco_TermloanMaximumMonthEndOutstandingAmount_E7EB0D40FC452B4274692BABE3B25580" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_tsco_TermloanMaximumMonthEndOutstandingAmount_E7EB0D40FC452B4274692BABE3B25580" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_297BFB3243E63003C61F2BABE3B2C827" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_297BFB3243E63003C61F2BABE3B2C827" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="tsco-20160924.xsd#tsco_TermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_tsco_TermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity_11460B54D38E63EAC3CA2BABE3B29135" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_tsco_TermLoanMaximumBorrowingCapacity_11460B54D38E63EAC3CA2BABE3B29135" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms_7D7AF0BD6AD226C104492BABE3B2BE47" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPaymentTerms_7D7AF0BD6AD226C104492BABE3B2BE47" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_F3180AE9E4593D33A1D52BABE3B20E08" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_F3180AE9E4593D33A1D52BABE3B20E08" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_0ED4EAE234B54B92E1222BABE3B2E156" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebt_0ED4EAE234B54B92E1222BABE3B2E156" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_F37300A4662B9ED1DC462BABE3B20BAF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_F37300A4662B9ED1DC462BABE3B20BAF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription_7F95B9BF98BC34B142342BABE3B20ADC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateDescription_7F95B9BF98BC34B142342BABE3B20ADC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7346F4DABC0545C4BA622BABE3B2ABB2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_7346F4DABC0545C4BA622BABE3B2ABB2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_CD15C0ACB666C9FB7F042BABE3B23271" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_CD15C0ACB666C9FB7F042BABE3B23271" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CompensatingBalanceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CompensatingBalanceAmount_2BE81CDE94114A19A5CC2BABE3B2AB8D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CompensatingBalanceAmount_2BE81CDE94114A19A5CC2BABE3B2AB8D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantDescription" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantDescription_C390A5B6CDD12D83E9202BABE3B265BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantDescription_C390A5B6CDD12D83E9202BABE3B265BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliance" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliance_5E3B28D92E055F890FFF2BABE3B29EAD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliance_5E3B28D92E055F890FFF2BABE3B29EAD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_2BDA022EDBF641EA78E12BABE3B267E8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_B9A458F8215B844D7DE62BABE3B29046" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_2BDA022EDBF641EA78E12BABE3B267E8" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:type="locator" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B96DBF66566D8401BB6EF7865E769303" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B96DBF66566D8401BB6EF7865E769303" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5DB20970833D450FF214F7865E767ECA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_B96DBF66566D8401BB6EF7865E769303" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5DB20970833D450FF214F7865E767ECA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5DB20970833D450FF214F7865E767ECA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5DB20970833D450FF214F7865E767ECA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_CE373186FE1BC92688BCF7865E76D530" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_CE373186FE1BC92688BCF7865E76D530" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6B83AA53E1B89FCEB1A5F7865E768A21" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_63393F1EBFAE09E38420F7865E766D86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6B83AA53E1B89FCEB1A5F7865E768A21" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_9EB3185A923122EE0B69F7865E869785" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_9EB3185A923122EE0B69F7865E869785" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_D0A8FA0395AED393E8ADF7865E86667C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_D0A8FA0395AED393E8ADF7865E86667C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_2D9F1C2B24CCCFC45E5AF7865E86EF72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_2D9F1C2B24CCCFC45E5AF7865E86EF72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_06D82F1F88D49FFC49E1F7865E86CE0D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_06D82F1F88D49FFC49E1F7865E86CE0D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_EFE4A5D37FB7B80F198EF7865E863BE8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_EFE4A5D37FB7B80F198EF7865E863BE8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_56C8B79DA77C810335B7F7865E86931D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_56C8B79DA77C810335B7F7865E86931D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_DAFD1C9FB9228A8BB71EF7865E865A36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_F7B7BAF29E347D40B23FF7865E761A24" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_DAFD1C9FB9228A8BB71EF7865E865A36" xlink:type="arc" />
  </definitionLink>
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStock" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStockDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.tractorsupply.com/role/TreasuryStockIncreaseSharesAuthorizedShareRepurchaseProgramDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
</linkbase>
