<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="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">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareNumeratorAndDenominatorOfBasicAndDilutedPerShareComputationsForEarningsAttributableToShareholdersPerShareDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareNumeratorAndDenominatorOfBasicAndDilutedPerShareComputationsForEarningsAttributableToShareholdersPerShareDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareSharesExcludedFromComputationOfDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareSharesExcludedFromComputationOfDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BusinessSegmentInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationBusinessSegmentInformationNetRevenuesCalculationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BusinessSegmentInformationBusinessSegmentInformationNetRevenuesCalculationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationFinancialInformationRegardingCompanysOperationsByGeographicAreaDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BusinessSegmentInformationFinancialInformationRegardingCompanysOperationsByGeographicAreaDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationPeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongPercentageShareOfCompanysTotalRevenueNetRevenueTotalIdentifiableAssetsOrEquityDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BusinessSegmentInformationPeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongPercentageShareOfCompanysTotalRevenueNetRevenueTotalIdentifiableAssetsOrEquityDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#BusinessSegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/Commitments" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#Commitments" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#CommitmentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsFutureMinimumAnnualLeasePaymentsUnderAllLeasesDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#CommitmentsFutureMinimumAnnualLeasePaymentsUnderAllLeasesDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#CommitmentsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/Contingencies" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#Contingencies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CreditArrangements" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#CreditArrangements" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CreditArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#CreditArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsCashAndCashEquivalentsDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsCashAndCashEquivalentsDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxesDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxesDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfEarningsBeforeIncomeTaxesDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxesComponentsOfEarningsBeforeIncomeTaxesDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfIncomeTaxExpenseComputedByApplyingUnitedStatesFederalIncomeTaxRateDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfIncomeTaxExpenseComputedByApplyingUnitedStatesFederalIncomeTaxRateDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#PropertyAndEquipment" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#PropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentPropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#PropertyAndEquipmentPropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#PropertyAndEquipmentTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsQuarterlyResultsUnauditedAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyResultsQuarterlyResultsUnauditedAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnaudited" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyResultsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyResultsUnauditedDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#QuarterlyResultsUnauditedTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAssumptionsToEstimateFairValueOfOptionGrantOnDateOfGrantUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityAssumptionsToEstimateFairValueOfOptionGrantOnDateOfGrantUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityCompanysRepurchasingActivityByRepurchasePlanDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityCompanysRepurchasingActivityByRepurchasePlanDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityStockCompensationExpenseAndTotalRelatedTaxBenefitRecognizedDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityStockCompensationExpenseAndTotalRelatedTaxBenefitRecognizedDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfInformationAboutStockOptionsDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfInformationAboutStockOptionsDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUsefulLivesForMajorCategoriesOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUsefulLivesForMajorCategoriesOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link: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" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareNumeratorAndDenominatorOfBasicAndDilutedPerShareComputationsForEarningsAttributableToShareholdersPerShareDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareSharesExcludedFromComputationOfDilutedEarningsPerShareDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BasicAndDilutedEarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationBusinessSegmentInformationNetRevenuesCalculationDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationFinancialInformationRegardingCompanysOperationsByGeographicAreaDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A5A2062421985F92EAA7FB2B2CEFD51F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A5A2062421985F92EAA7FB2B2CEFD51F" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_78D9AD2ABBCC32FED8DBFB2B2CEFE65E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A5A2062421985F92EAA7FB2B2CEFD51F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_78D9AD2ABBCC32FED8DBFB2B2CEFE65E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_78D9AD2ABBCC32FED8DBFB2B2CEFE65E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_78D9AD2ABBCC32FED8DBFB2B2CEFE65E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeographyEliminationsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographyEliminationsMember_AF5F43C2AC406EEBF75AFB2B2CEFC485" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographyEliminationsMember_AF5F43C2AC406EEBF75AFB2B2CEFC485" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_0E04C6FDEB46C3EC3FEFFB2B2CEF651B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_0E04C6FDEB46C3EC3FEFFB2B2CEF651B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_5632E06F3945F00A4B3CFB2B2CF0378E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8C9946ECA33BA41DDA87FB2B2CEFCD04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_5632E06F3945F00A4B3CFB2B2CF0378E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_BBB8F0D044FCCAF285F0FB2B2CF02884" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_A5A2062421985F92EAA7FB2B2CEFD51F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_BBB8F0D044FCCAF285F0FB2B2CF02884" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_BBB8F0D044FCCAF285F0FB2B2CF02884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_BBB8F0D044FCCAF285F0FB2B2CF02884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_UnitedStatesSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_UnitedStatesSegmentMember_E97FAE60DFD6C017723CFB2B2CF06408" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_UnitedStatesSegmentMember_E97FAE60DFD6C017723CFB2B2CF06408" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_OtherNorthAmericaSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_OtherNorthAmericaSegmentMember_3E6EAE8159E7E9B9402EFB2B2CF088AC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_OtherNorthAmericaSegmentMember_3E6EAE8159E7E9B9402EFB2B2CF088AC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_LatinAmericaSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_LatinAmericaSegmentMember_8DCAA1F7EF180EBDBDB2FB2B2CF0AA23" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_LatinAmericaSegmentMember_8DCAA1F7EF180EBDBDB2FB2B2CF0AA23" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_NorthAsiaSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_NorthAsiaSegmentMember_CF75F4F6B08D31B55B85FB2B2CF009A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_NorthAsiaSegmentMember_CF75F4F6B08D31B55B85FB2B2CF009A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_SouthAsiaSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_SouthAsiaSegmentMember_18CA962E57113DD25BA8FB2B2CF06258" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_SouthAsiaSegmentMember_18CA962E57113DD25BA8FB2B2CF06258" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_EuropeSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_EuropeSegmentMember_D4C797E6A6CF14D6AFFEFB2B2CF08F92" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_EuropeSegmentMember_D4C797E6A6CF14D6AFFEFB2B2CF08F92" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_MiddleEastAfricaAndIndiaSegmentMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_MiddleEastAfricaAndIndiaSegmentMember_78F123A51B319D2D84C6FB2B2CF06BD4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_C124CC8F5036986C9FF7FB2B2CF09847" xlink:to="loc_expd_MiddleEastAfricaAndIndiaSegmentMember_78F123A51B319D2D84C6FB2B2CF06BD4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_98E892F38BB2378E154AFB2B2CF04179" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_98E892F38BB2378E154AFB2B2CF04179" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_NetRevenues" xlink:label="loc_expd_NetRevenues_999910AEC4A55D03BA29FB2B2CF061B0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_expd_NetRevenues_999910AEC4A55D03BA29FB2B2CF061B0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_3ED9CC4754320E73BA8EFB2B2CF09779" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_3ED9CC4754320E73BA8EFB2B2CF09779" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_72883050E82E3A3C5476FB2B2CF094B9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_72883050E82E3A3C5476FB2B2CF094B9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_38FE13E009746B5720F0FB2B2CF02373" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_38FE13E009746B5720F0FB2B2CF02373" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_4CE676A305D836B00B5DFB2B2CF1A43F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_4CE676A305D836B00B5DFB2B2CF1A43F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_1DCAF47C9CCC8748AAC8FB2B2CF13494" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B6C5E1FF7F6D4A6E667EFB2B2CF014EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_1DCAF47C9CCC8748AAC8FB2B2CF13494" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationPeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongPercentageShareOfCompanysTotalRevenueNetRevenueTotalIdentifiableAssetsOrEquityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_D2F13AC52D835C4CBDD4BB7FBF01355F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_D2F13AC52D835C4CBDD4BB7FBF01355F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_C3267847214BB2D212DEBB7FBEFFD71E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_C3267847214BB2D212DEBB7FBEFFD71E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_173525C9261016A92EF1BB7FBEFF3EE8_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_C3267847214BB2D212DEBB7FBEFFD71E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_173525C9261016A92EF1BB7FBEFF3EE8_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_173525C9261016A92EF1BB7FBEFF3EE8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_C3267847214BB2D212DEBB7FBEFFD71E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_173525C9261016A92EF1BB7FBEFF3EE8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_36D2373D25942F9E3193BB7FBEFFF80A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_173525C9261016A92EF1BB7FBEFF3EE8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_36D2373D25942F9E3193BB7FBEFFF80A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_253220EB8C3FD93C18B7BB7FBF00D1D7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_253220EB8C3FD93C18B7BB7FBF00D1D7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_46289E9F7AC075BA3498BB7FBF001404_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_253220EB8C3FD93C18B7BB7FBF00D1D7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_46289E9F7AC075BA3498BB7FBF001404_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_46289E9F7AC075BA3498BB7FBF001404" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_253220EB8C3FD93C18B7BB7FBF00D1D7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_46289E9F7AC075BA3498BB7FBF001404" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeographicConcentrationRiskMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeographicConcentrationRiskMember_BB004B31E4ED59FC3F1EBB7FBF002BA4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_46289E9F7AC075BA3498BB7FBF001404" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeographicConcentrationRiskMember_BB004B31E4ED59FC3F1EBB7FBF002BA4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_F5EC7726DA74BBF499CFBB7FBF0045F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_F5EC7726DA74BBF499CFBB7FBF0045F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_F5EC7726DA74BBF499CFBB7FBF0045F1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_F5EC7726DA74BBF499CFBB7FBF0045F1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNetMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNetMember_4C5BBBA9F0BF9EC31698BB7FBF006E88" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNetMember_4C5BBBA9F0BF9EC31698BB7FBF006E88" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_NetRevenuesTotalMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_NetRevenuesTotalMember_2C6BAF0971AB64815A00BB7FBF00243B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:to="loc_expd_NetRevenuesTotalMember_2C6BAF0971AB64815A00BB7FBF00243B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsTotalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsTotalMember_EBB81CED0ADF6C3E469ABB7FBF01EBE1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsTotalMember_EBB81CED0ADF6C3E469ABB7FBF01EBE1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember_0243E7464C2645BE121FBB7FBF0103F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_445037CF1306E0F0FCB0BB7FBF003C5A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityTotalMember_0243E7464C2645BE121FBB7FBF0103F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_A92F8D6D598D369A7EAEBB7FBF0168A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_18EE293BAA6E20281789BB7FBEFA063D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_A92F8D6D598D369A7EAEBB7FBF0168A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2F1C4EE7BAF9AF10D770BB7FBF01C272_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_A92F8D6D598D369A7EAEBB7FBF0168A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2F1C4EE7BAF9AF10D770BB7FBF01C272_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2F1C4EE7BAF9AF10D770BB7FBF01C272" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_A92F8D6D598D369A7EAEBB7FBF0168A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2F1C4EE7BAF9AF10D770BB7FBF01C272" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_PeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_PeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongMember_A907B247C782FB75BC38BB7FBF01F38E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2F1C4EE7BAF9AF10D770BB7FBF01C272" xlink:to="loc_expd_PeoplesRepublicOfChinaIncludingHongKongMember_A907B247C782FB75BC38BB7FBF01F38E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_DF7C86DE80F085311A03BB7FBF0112DF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_D2F13AC52D835C4CBDD4BB7FBF01355F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_DF7C86DE80F085311A03BB7FBF0112DF" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/BusinessSegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/Commitments" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems" xlink:label="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTable" xlink:label="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTable_AE12084579264A23F4F4C191E96DBC20" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:to="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTable_AE12084579264A23F4F4C191E96DBC20" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis_BE16CAF83147D668CC15C191E96D3570" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTable_AE12084579264A23F4F4C191E96DBC20" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis_BE16CAF83147D668CC15C191E96D3570" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis_BE16CAF83147D668CC15C191E96D3570" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassAxis_BE16CAF83147D668CC15C191E96D3570" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_D1B7663B43ABE9070341C191E96DD188" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_D1B7663B43ABE9070341C191E96DD188" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_0B087040CC2D500568D2C191E96DB174" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MajorPropertyClassDomain_919C10EA86512B46CDB5C191E96D3189" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_0B087040CC2D500568D2C191E96DB174" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1_3805629C63F32406BFDFC191E96DA507" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseExpirationDate1_3805629C63F32406BFDFC191E96DA507" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_20917066A5F5B2E2B71EC191E96D6E69" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_20917066A5F5B2E2B71EC191E96D6E69" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_72B9D5BCD95EC9BB898AC191E96D036D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount_72B9D5BCD95EC9BB898AC191E96D036D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_3EC2660BE40796965F67C191E96D1F18" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expd_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureLineItems_4C11FEFDB2A86F593674C191E96D82AF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount_3EC2660BE40796965F67C191E96D1F18" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsFutureMinimumAnnualLeasePaymentsUnderAllLeasesDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CommitmentsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEarnings" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_FCC7DF5604AD57C3F0552410529CDC45" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F4A2B9CE6E079B4F53DD2410529B9D74" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_FCC7DF5604AD57C3F0552410529CDC45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F4A2B9CE6E079B4F53DD2410529B9D74" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1E69A11EB62F6EB339E52410529B3056" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F4A2B9CE6E079B4F53DD2410529B9D74" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1E69A11EB62F6EB339E52410529B3056" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1E69A11EB62F6EB339E52410529B3056" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1E69A11EB62F6EB339E52410529B3056" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4B34FCD694C360F461A52410529C8F34" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4B34FCD694C360F461A52410529C8F34" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_4232B9CC092C1FEE54122410529C587C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_4232B9CC092C1FEE54122410529C587C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ABFD51B95E49D1244FDE2410529C1A35" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ABFD51B95E49D1244FDE2410529C1A35" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_53C9DF01910C74002F9F2410529CD3E3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_53C9DF01910C74002F9F2410529CD3E3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_BAD82F17FF01442C8D592410529CE8CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_BAD82F17FF01442C8D592410529CE8CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_A336DCF9DFCAEA3474192410529C022B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_DD050CC18B8F28F498D02410529C1E91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_A336DCF9DFCAEA3474192410529C022B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_FCC7DF5604AD57C3F0552410529CDC45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_5891609DCBD1BE50E4A92410529CDE87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_5891609DCBD1BE50E4A92410529CDE87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_6FD282C16A889E8825822410529C76F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_6FD282C16A889E8825822410529C76F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedSharesInShares" xlink:label="loc_expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedSharesInShares_3823424F32EBCC9631552410529C9E78" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedSharesInShares_3823424F32EBCC9631552410529C9E78" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedShares" xlink:label="loc_expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedShares_B9F0CC24A2C9F6746D892410529CD39F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_expd_ExerciseOfStockOptionsAndReleaseOfRestrictedShares_B9F0CC24A2C9F6746D892410529CD39F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_D0869130A44BBECB542C2410529CB6F0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_D0869130A44BBECB542C2410529CB6F0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_12EBBA6185B82A64B76C2410529C7394" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_12EBBA6185B82A64B76C2410529C7394" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_AE2404547FC7CB29DF352410529C7EBA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_AE2404547FC7CB29DF352410529C7EBA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_B914044C0FF68640387D2410529C6E36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_B914044C0FF68640387D2410529C6E36" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_50596AEFB772F756A1472410529C89DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_50596AEFB772F756A1472410529C89DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet_38BE0127C540C2C5DDDC2410529C6276" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentToAdditionalPaidInCapitalIncomeTaxEffectFromShareBasedCompensationNet_38BE0127C540C2C5DDDC2410529C6276" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_E9868E99B2AD65DA7CF62410529CF2C5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_E9868E99B2AD65DA7CF62410529CF2C5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_A39AC7CCF27849A6A75B2410529C176C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_A39AC7CCF27849A6A75B2410529C176C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_3AB411E5FAE265FA93FA2410529C3193" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_3AB411E5FAE265FA93FA2410529C3193" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_89CCD3DB35C3F79E4FDD2410529CD1C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromRedemptions_89CCD3DB35C3F79E4FDD2410529CD1C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_4F9F00B177A464F5AFB72410529DA75E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_4246553CF5E5BD0474C42410529C289E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_4F9F00B177A464F5AFB72410529DA75E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfEquityParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/Contingencies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CreditArrangements" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/CreditArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsCashAndCashEquivalentsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F5F13C93FC6686393B793F38D304C244" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F5F13C93FC6686393B793F38D304C244" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_C5385BEF36DE187CC18B3F38D3049DE7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F5F13C93FC6686393B793F38D304C244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_C5385BEF36DE187CC18B3F38D3049DE7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_C5385BEF36DE187CC18B3F38D3049DE7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_C5385BEF36DE187CC18B3F38D3049DE7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_AA651F8FC00D807068B83F38D304D03B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsMember_AA651F8FC00D807068B83F38D304D03B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_B200905C2E4061C528E53F38D30434F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_FB68AF173C18BF6BE2AC3F38D3046172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermInvestmentsMember_B200905C2E4061C528E53F38D30434F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_CCEBE31B5F554C3F79B43F38D304DE2A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F5F13C93FC6686393B793F38D304C244" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_CCEBE31B5F554C3F79B43F38D304DE2A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9C3746EBA7F77F5F732C3F38D304CA54_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_CCEBE31B5F554C3F79B43F38D304DE2A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9C3746EBA7F77F5F732C3F38D304CA54_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_F8FF89F0779CDBDC20983F38D304EE43" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_CCEBE31B5F554C3F79B43F38D304DE2A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_F8FF89F0779CDBDC20983F38D304EE43" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9C3746EBA7F77F5F732C3F38D304CA54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_F8FF89F0779CDBDC20983F38D304EE43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9C3746EBA7F77F5F732C3F38D304CA54" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_D321088ADC20A32C5FB13F38D3049E41" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_F8FF89F0779CDBDC20983F38D304EE43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_D321088ADC20A32C5FB13F38D3049E41" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_468505F0E89DCB49AC643F38D3046D32" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_F8FF89F0779CDBDC20983F38D304EE43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_468505F0E89DCB49AC643F38D3046D32" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Cash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Cash_08786511ECEF60B80B133F38D304CE35" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Cash_08786511ECEF60B80B133F38D304CE35" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommercialPaperAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperAtCarryingValue_9CB5C7B1085B2769BB3A3F38D304560F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommercialPaperAtCarryingValue_9CB5C7B1085B2769BB3A3F38D304560F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimeDepositsAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimeDepositsAtCarryingValue_4CC6E972F4ED0D764F473F38D3047FFA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimeDepositsAtCarryingValue_4CC6E972F4ED0D764F473F38D3047FFA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_58B4745CC9BB4487E4B13F38D3049A81" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_58B4745CC9BB4487E4B13F38D3049A81" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments_BE5C28DFC6ACDEC831793F38D3042E29" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_DA8F5494A67737625EC83F38D304F96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsAndShortTermInvestments_BE5C28DFC6ACDEC831793F38D3042E29" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/FairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfDeferredTaxesDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfEarningsBeforeIncomeTaxesDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfIncomeTaxExpenseComputedByApplyingUnitedStatesFederalIncomeTaxRateDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipment" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_4FC411551969E6893823BB7FBE9606F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_4FC411551969E6893823BB7FBE9606F9" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_AC47A5C07C9F4C4DA30CBB7FBE965F82" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_4FC411551969E6893823BB7FBE9606F9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_AC47A5C07C9F4C4DA30CBB7FBE965F82" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_786124A57EA57C14A125BB7FBE96872F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_AC47A5C07C9F4C4DA30CBB7FBE965F82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_786124A57EA57C14A125BB7FBE96872F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_786124A57EA57C14A125BB7FBE96872F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_AC47A5C07C9F4C4DA30CBB7FBE965F82" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_786124A57EA57C14A125BB7FBE96872F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Land" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Land_C66EA503B0436102D86BBB7FBE962685" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Land_C66EA503B0436102D86BBB7FBE962685" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross_5570E88B415C0E95EF8CBB7FBE96EFA5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingsAndImprovementsGross_5570E88B415C0E95EF8CBB7FBE96EFA5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_FurnitureFixturesEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareGross" xlink:label="loc_expd_FurnitureFixturesEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareGross_89E979F1400B90D78BA1BB7FBE96A2C2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_expd_FurnitureFixturesEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareGross_89E979F1400B90D78BA1BB7FBE96A2C2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross_BF438FCD71DD8B3EAC09BB7FBE968083" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressGross_BF438FCD71DD8B3EAC09BB7FBE968083" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_1384D88CAEFCA8DDCE50BB7FBE96CB8B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_1384D88CAEFCA8DDCE50BB7FBE96CB8B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_1B11BFEA9E98E1B13494BB7FBE960FD4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_1B11BFEA9E98E1B13494BB7FBE960FD4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_857BB0B0AEA06E3BEEB1BB7FBE966D10" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_38D4EF9C6989C46268D8BB7FBE96AABE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_857BB0B0AEA06E3BEEB1BB7FBE966D10" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentPropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_B7ACE353C10664059AFB67EBAF7CA5FD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_71C48D0911B567D4E31D67EBAF7C2C6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_B7ACE353C10664059AFB67EBAF7CA5FD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_71C48D0911B567D4E31D67EBAF7C2C6A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_6E6627E16F47CD31A2CC67EBAF7C9823" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_71C48D0911B567D4E31D67EBAF7C2C6A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_6E6627E16F47CD31A2CC67EBAF7C9823" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_81755C1C3C083812445367EBAF7C63EA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_6E6627E16F47CD31A2CC67EBAF7C9823" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_81755C1C3C083812445367EBAF7C63EA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_81755C1C3C083812445367EBAF7C63EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_6E6627E16F47CD31A2CC67EBAF7C9823" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_81755C1C3C083812445367EBAF7C63EA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_4B4836901D2E781E704067EBAF7C5AF8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_81755C1C3C083812445367EBAF7C63EA" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_4B4836901D2E781E704067EBAF7C5AF8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_DE060BABC5D117766D4167EBAF7C48CC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_B7ACE353C10664059AFB67EBAF7CA5FD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_DE060BABC5D117766D4167EBAF7C48CC" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsQuarterlyResultsUnauditedAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsLineItems_283BF7E7F9CFF988EED143EBB7E1E1C1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTable_35597FDC35B65D54D35143EBB7E10EBF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsLineItems_283BF7E7F9CFF988EED143EBB7E1E1C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTable_35597FDC35B65D54D35143EBB7E10EBF" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsByTypeAxis_45E861E4172BA47550FD43EBB7E1E7A9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTable_35597FDC35B65D54D35143EBB7E10EBF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsByTypeAxis_45E861E4172BA47550FD43EBB7E1E7A9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsByTypeAxis_45E861E4172BA47550FD43EBB7E1E7A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsByTypeAxis_45E861E4172BA47550FD43EBB7E1E7A9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_EgyptPoundsMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_EgyptPoundsMember_6BC5FDB566DB5529C42443EBB7E10883" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D" xlink:to="loc_expd_EgyptPoundsMember_6BC5FDB566DB5529C42443EBB7E10883" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_RecoveryofLegalandRelatedFeesMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_RecoveryofLegalandRelatedFeesMember_41AB81F7D70FB7FB5BE243EBB7E12F4A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsTypeDomain_E484882E6F20BF1721AC43EBB7E1FC0D" xlink:to="loc_expd_RecoveryofLegalandRelatedFeesMember_41AB81F7D70FB7FB5BE243EBB7E12F4A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_6B0616925802499FFB5243EBB7E1F4D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsLineItems_283BF7E7F9CFF988EED143EBB7E1E1C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax_6B0616925802499FFB5243EBB7E1F4D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LegalFees" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LegalFees_7D4F16CAC0E9C915C9B143EC1C44A45A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfFourthQuarterEventsLineItems_283BF7E7F9CFF988EED143EBB7E1E1C1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LegalFees_7D4F16CAC0E9C915C9B143EC1C44A45A" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/QuarterlyResultsUnauditedTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_BF6E3DA63346C63BA5736870F2E237D7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_BF6E3DA63346C63BA5736870F2E237D7" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_49450CCFDC659DE7128F6870F2E2BFD3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_BF6E3DA63346C63BA5736870F2E237D7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_49450CCFDC659DE7128F6870F2E2BFD3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_49450CCFDC659DE7128F6870F2E2BFD3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_49450CCFDC659DE7128F6870F2E2BFD3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember_D8C3FF81C483ECE8001B6870F2E2B7C8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2" xlink:to="loc_expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember_D8C3FF81C483ECE8001B6870F2E2B7C8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember_4D4A85540451A5BC5A166870F2E2716F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_69FC2E6988C2D7B890A86870F2E25CD2" xlink:to="loc_expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember_4D4A85540451A5BC5A166870F2E2716F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_A4CB292732A91AA403A86870F2E2C95A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_BF6E3DA63346C63BA5736870F2E237D7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_A4CB292732A91AA403A86870F2E2C95A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_A4CB292732A91AA403A86870F2E2C95A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_A4CB292732A91AA403A86870F2E2C95A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_StockOptionPlan2016Member" xlink:label="loc_expd_StockOptionPlan2016Member_F61492CC12D13B66D6226870F2E20889" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:to="loc_expd_StockOptionPlan2016Member_F61492CC12D13B66D6226870F2E20889" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_358B5558FED6DBC34B816870F2E23BF0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_358B5558FED6DBC34B816870F2E23BF0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_740B567B6564C3CC3C766870F2E2ADB5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_740B567B6564C3CC3C766870F2E2ADB5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_DirectorsRestrictedStockPlan2014Member" xlink:label="loc_expd_DirectorsRestrictedStockPlan2014Member_22AFEFC1BDCAF8372EB96870F2E2B68E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_BDD42790A430A111BF826870F2E2BC2F" xlink:to="loc_expd_DirectorsRestrictedStockPlan2014Member_22AFEFC1BDCAF8372EB96870F2E2B68E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_FA548C3DF6EDA095AA026870F2E2ABAF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_BF6E3DA63346C63BA5736870F2E237D7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FA548C3DF6EDA095AA026870F2E2ABAF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_EE6A1A3EDB7284785E146870F2E28D3B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FA548C3DF6EDA095AA026870F2E2ABAF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_EE6A1A3EDB7284785E146870F2E28D3B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_EE6A1A3EDB7284785E146870F2E28D3B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_FA548C3DF6EDA095AA026870F2E2ABAF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_EE6A1A3EDB7284785E146870F2E28D3B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_546EF003539D20E9CA5B6870F2E2C7F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_EE6A1A3EDB7284785E146870F2E28D3B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_546EF003539D20E9CA5B6870F2E2C7F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_892FB7B978CFBFC33FC76870F2E21979" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased_892FB7B978CFBFC33FC76870F2E21979" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_ExpectedCommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_expd_ExpectedCommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding_3E84B17E75F2A5A33F6E6870F2E20DAE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_expd_ExpectedCommonStockSharesIssuedAndOutstanding_3E84B17E75F2A5A33F6E6870F2E20DAE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_6443FF46B81F5654E3CE6870F2E230F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_6443FF46B81F5654E3CE6870F2E230F1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_GrantsMaximumNumberOfSharesPerPerson" xlink:label="loc_expd_GrantsMaximumNumberOfSharesPerPerson_4D83091C7B1121EAC77A6870F2E20F41" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_expd_GrantsMaximumNumberOfSharesPerPerson_4D83091C7B1121EAC77A6870F2E20F41" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2DE5D2A0D539DCA80C716870F2E215D6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_2DE5D2A0D539DCA80C716870F2E215D6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_96F0E9792CFBCDC858146870F2E2D253" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_96F0E9792CFBCDC858146870F2E2D253" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_89FB8974FD080AB66FF06870F2E200A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod_89FB8974FD080AB66FF06870F2E200A3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_4A90DBFEC1EA3371CD7F6870F2E202DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_4A90DBFEC1EA3371CD7F6870F2E202DD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent_20013F9C7F575E879A456870F2E29C1A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent_20013F9C7F575E879A456870F2E29C1A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_7873DC75BCCF892DB5D66870F2E21176" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_7873DC75BCCF892DB5D66870F2E21176" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherEmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherEmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_FEF6ECB22A4F6315A8C16870F2E264A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherEmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent_FEF6ECB22A4F6315A8C16870F2E264A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_FairValueOfAnnualGrantPerParticipantOfRestrictedStockAwards" xlink:label="loc_expd_FairValueOfAnnualGrantPerParticipantOfRestrictedStockAwards_82CEC82E2ABD82E404046870F2E278EA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_expd_FairValueOfAnnualGrantPerParticipantOfRestrictedStockAwards_82CEC82E2ABD82E404046870F2E278EA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_A0A93DDBF022A4DE81816870F2E2BC40" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_A0A93DDBF022A4DE81816870F2E2BC40" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_B140E87EF9C005D0D9426870F2E29611" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_B140E87EF9C005D0D9426870F2E29611" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_8CE05674EF5B70827C9E6870F2E2352D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_8CE05674EF5B70827C9E6870F2E2352D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_82A699D902728075A9436870F2E260BB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_82A699D902728075A9436870F2E260BB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_07C0C1B2B123B4B607E66870F2E2873D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_07C0C1B2B123B4B607E66870F2E2873D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_01BED636D9BE2AE11FE26870F2E2FB5D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_192739BFC8F07ECBDEEB6870F2E2EB91" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_01BED636D9BE2AE11FE26870F2E2FB5D" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityAssumptionsToEstimateFairValueOfOptionGrantOnDateOfGrantUsingBlackScholesOptionPricingModelDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_17FA85F0F257CD6E4C76147D1BE3E7E3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_17FA85F0F257CD6E4C76147D1BE3E7E3" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link: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_E3FC6DD1B17523CEA586147D1BE39FC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_17FA85F0F257CD6E4C76147D1BE3E7E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_E3FC6DD1B17523CEA586147D1BE39FC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_E3FC6DD1B17523CEA586147D1BE39FC8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_E3FC6DD1B17523CEA586147D1BE39FC8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_05B3BF8D98FA0E573C6C147D1BE311AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_05B3BF8D98FA0E573C6C147D1BE311AF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_91ED58AE893157E2401B147D1BE3BF87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_1D785BE732027D6F9071147D1BE322DE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_91ED58AE893157E2401B147D1BE3BF87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_7B4BC775495671448AA0147D1BE37249" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_17FA85F0F257CD6E4C76147D1BE3E7E3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_7B4BC775495671448AA0147D1BE37249" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_7B4BC775495671448AA0147D1BE37249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_7B4BC775495671448AA0147D1BE37249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_22D5B4F7C228F518E806147D1BE3F46C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_22D5B4F7C228F518E806147D1BE3F46C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_2752A277BC2FA636ED2F147D1BE38B28" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_3C6C998FE18831C8A5BA147D1BE3238E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_2752A277BC2FA636ED2F147D1BE38B28" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_0F2E3E3AB7999004BC55147D1BE345BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_0F2E3E3AB7999004BC55147D1BE345BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum_5A4A1D9DDD723E644045147D1BE37F62" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMinimum_5A4A1D9DDD723E644045147D1BE37F62" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum_686ED80AC158DF6B3BE3147D1BE34010" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateMaximum_686ED80AC158DF6B3BE3147D1BE34010" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_A2518D89E02E62DF2569147D1BE31C43" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_A2518D89E02E62DF2569147D1BE31C43" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum_647860A660A3A2422980147D1BE3B9A2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMinimum_647860A660A3A2422980147D1BE3B9A2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum_C6A111DCCBA967B6DE5A147D1BE4EB71" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateMaximum_C6A111DCCBA967B6DE5A147D1BE4EB71" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_5A0ABC08BA6463989246147D1BE44458" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_5A0ABC08BA6463989246147D1BE44458" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_006CCBBD69A1D2FE964B147D1BE4CBA8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_006CCBBD69A1D2FE964B147D1BE4CBA8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_479416B45A303500F9C9147D1BE44A3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_EFBC7F155FD617D97AE7147D1BE36B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_479416B45A303500F9C9147D1BE44A3C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityCompanysRepurchasingActivityByRepurchasePlanDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link: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_5DAB745A5312BAB8F20EBB7FBEA8ACC2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link: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_E481DD71D333C09819EBBB7FBEA8AFC7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_5DAB745A5312BAB8F20EBB7FBEA8ACC2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_E481DD71D333C09819EBBB7FBEA8AFC7" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_DF973148C75C9EC1C6E3BB7FBEA8228C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_E481DD71D333C09819EBBB7FBEA8AFC7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_DF973148C75C9EC1C6E3BB7FBEA8228C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_DF973148C75C9EC1C6E3BB7FBEA8228C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_DF973148C75C9EC1C6E3BB7FBEA8228C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember_718D5F007DE79C4E8187BB7FBEA86A5B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC" xlink:to="loc_expd_NonDiscretionaryPlanMember_718D5F007DE79C4E8187BB7FBEA86A5B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember_96E73148A11A1DC9E608BB7FBEA8D167" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_E832AEEB2CA51691F956BB7FBEA85FEC" xlink:to="loc_expd_DiscretionaryPlanMember_96E73148A11A1DC9E608BB7FBEA8D167" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_5642D37746F23B5522F9BB7FBEA83C9B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_5DAB745A5312BAB8F20EBB7FBEA8ACC2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_5642D37746F23B5522F9BB7FBEA83C9B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_52E9CDB01834FA901177BB7FBEA9541E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_5DAB745A5312BAB8F20EBB7FBEA8ACC2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_52E9CDB01834FA901177BB7FBEA9541E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityStockCompensationExpenseAndTotalRelatedTaxBenefitRecognizedDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquitySummaryOfInformationAboutStockOptionsDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.expeditors.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesUsefulLivesForMajorCategoriesOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_B170E611474F582D0DF0148FCBE5D523" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_36668B1482D42786C8FB148FCBE4B316" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_B170E611474F582D0DF0148FCBE5D523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_36668B1482D42786C8FB148FCBE4B316" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0615826FB4741C798A5A148FCBE4E7F3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_36668B1482D42786C8FB148FCBE4B316" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0615826FB4741C798A5A148FCBE4E7F3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0615826FB4741C798A5A148FCBE4E7F3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_0615826FB4741C798A5A148FCBE4E7F3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember_77FE1B20939D944B12D8148FCBE486F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandImprovementsMember_77FE1B20939D944B12D8148FCBE486F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_FF022C5878EC9D4136CD148FCBE5A36B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingMember_FF022C5878EC9D4136CD148FCBE5A36B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_BuildingImprovementsandFixturesMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_BuildingImprovementsandFixturesMember_15E965EEACEEDC2E489414B3E70A2F85" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:to="loc_expd_BuildingImprovementsandFixturesMember_15E965EEACEEDC2E489414B3E70A2F85" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="expd-20161231.xsd#expd_FurnitureEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember" xlink:label="loc_expd_FurnitureEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember_0AC2E7B829D9EB175AE614C04A847C7E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_61684BEA8C8ACA7A57EE148FCBE45FAF" xlink:to="loc_expd_FurnitureEquipmentAndPurchasedSoftwareMember_0AC2E7B829D9EB175AE614C04A847C7E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_F6D6DC86A15DDE2B3C7F148FCBE53139" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_36668B1482D42786C8FB148FCBE4B316" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F6D6DC86A15DDE2B3C7F148FCBE53139" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F6D6DC86A15DDE2B3C7F148FCBE53139" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_F6D6DC86A15DDE2B3C7F148FCBE53139" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_EF1C3EFB7E7B19C7E317148FCBE5A76C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_EF1C3EFB7E7B19C7E317148FCBE5A76C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link: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_01F779CB33DDEF8AA4AE148FCBE57FAD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_A5FA6C21EEAC5CA5DE5A148FCBE51A2F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_01F779CB33DDEF8AA4AE148FCBE57FAD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_189EA4CC42EF64AAE20E148FCBE514E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_B170E611474F582D0DF0148FCBE5D523" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_189EA4CC42EF64AAE20E148FCBE514E4" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
