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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2024 Workiva-->
<!--r:c71b4feb-0266-4ea6-9b42-516bf0168049,g:d1f6f124-373e-4865-bf4a-f7f312b89925-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#Cover"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/Cover" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_f35374f2-277a-4ab4-b6ba-aeaa593cb30d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_f35374f2-277a-4ab4-b6ba-aeaa593cb30d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_f35374f2-277a-4ab4-b6ba-aeaa593cb30d" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_ab60099d-87af-4be8-9331-fc9a46d8caa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_eb71a670-d67d-45ba-b1d4-34e028935e5b" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_ab60099d-87af-4be8-9331-fc9a46d8caa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e12c4d28-25cd-4c16-9cfd-47f258d5d79c" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_ab60099d-87af-4be8-9331-fc9a46d8caa8" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e12c4d28-25cd-4c16-9cfd-47f258d5d79c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_fa661b9c-9c46-4136-b1cc-8aec347112b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_fa661b9c-9c46-4136-b1cc-8aec347112b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_e6705c4b-6bec-44fb-9d82-bdf13bb56bdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_e6705c4b-6bec-44fb-9d82-bdf13bb56bdc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_c82487c9-8d08-4913-ac70-b14504829a9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_c82487c9-8d08-4913-ac70-b14504829a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_5b2c016e-241b-4b24-81d4-bca5f55b624d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_5b2c016e-241b-4b24-81d4-bca5f55b624d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_a67721e7-0408-4e77-a1e4-fb6d940414ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_a67721e7-0408-4e77-a1e4-fb6d940414ba" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_6ec3e65f-d84a-49c8-9b1c-7bd32be6b2aa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_6ec3e65f-d84a-49c8-9b1c-7bd32be6b2aa" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_735a1f02-6d91-4674-ab7d-e91bedbf4d2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_735a1f02-6d91-4674-ab7d-e91bedbf4d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_aad6a172-c108-472d-9b03-4b62af5bef08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_aad6a172-c108-472d-9b03-4b62af5bef08" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_e86fb1ed-b914-48c6-9fd0-6c16336ed3f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_e86fb1ed-b914-48c6-9fd0-6c16336ed3f4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_725074f0-e271-42eb-b83f-e1cc84be787c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine2_725074f0-e271-42eb-b83f-e1cc84be787c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_36ff1a98-0b6e-4ad9-a7c4-72820290f4f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_36ff1a98-0b6e-4ad9-a7c4-72820290f4f3" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_6a2bebed-c7e8-463a-824e-cf8a6e5731ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_6a2bebed-c7e8-463a-824e-cf8a6e5731ae" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_c014ed33-c045-494e-bca3-f621d9907707" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_c014ed33-c045-494e-bca3-f621d9907707" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_b493a18d-9c41-4356-bca6-5e2e467d86db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_b493a18d-9c41-4356-bca6-5e2e467d86db" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_8553f254-dce6-4dbd-9daa-adb720e37114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_8553f254-dce6-4dbd-9daa-adb720e37114" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_1ec48ed7-25c4-42d5-ab79-9897c2c9ef02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_1ec48ed7-25c4-42d5-ab79-9897c2c9ef02" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_36f6b209-23ce-4f7d-a4d9-2d8db0423b08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_36f6b209-23ce-4f7d-a4d9-2d8db0423b08" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_0e01e288-ef81-4a3f-a2b4-3ad27cae2dd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_0e01e288-ef81-4a3f-a2b4-3ad27cae2dd7" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_09cca0bb-df2d-4b92-aea2-a28091954e16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_09cca0bb-df2d-4b92-aea2-a28091954e16" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_afb9da23-2a5f-4e9c-8c34-06f5f25d02c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_afb9da23-2a5f-4e9c-8c34-06f5f25d02c8" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_3a1f40fe-d1d5-43c8-825f-a928cc030b26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_3a1f40fe-d1d5-43c8-825f-a928cc030b26" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_73adc913-a68a-4c4c-8bcf-73f378d2877e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_73adc913-a68a-4c4c-8bcf-73f378d2877e" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_5d884fae-f9f0-49d0-bcf2-91536206e913" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_5d884fae-f9f0-49d0-bcf2-91536206e913" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_bc8ec743-3a60-4801-94fd-52fee8dae221" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_bc8ec743-3a60-4801-94fd-52fee8dae221" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_9be08db8-51bb-45b4-8796-ba56c7030faf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_9be08db8-51bb-45b4-8796-ba56c7030faf" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_4997e246-4f26-4430-9e8b-989ed90f7183" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_4997e246-4f26-4430-9e8b-989ed90f7183" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_19a5ddc5-2cee-4d71-80ae-f525183d4227" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_19a5ddc5-2cee-4d71-80ae-f525183d4227" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_797a99cf-95b7-4aea-8f22-f35d8b902e33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_797a99cf-95b7-4aea-8f22-f35d8b902e33" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_2bb6a0fb-64e3-4158-8d65-a8426c578609" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_2bb6a0fb-64e3-4158-8d65-a8426c578609" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_39c0fde9-042c-4674-912d-91ae8e0c4003" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_35509d17-6d9e-4714-8b9c-35698481d904" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_39c0fde9-042c-4674-912d-91ae8e0c4003" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_951d914e-2b10-422e-91b6-3bbf79aa7abb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_951d914e-2b10-422e-91b6-3bbf79aa7abb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_951d914e-2b10-422e-91b6-3bbf79aa7abb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ef6a7405-8a77-4ba9-9ebd-ca5a832e07a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_23172d4c-b784-45c4-9b1d-18e7ac090341" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ef6a7405-8a77-4ba9-9ebd-ca5a832e07a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TermLoanMember_2be3aabb-eb13-4e23-8b96-e197970b17f9" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ef6a7405-8a77-4ba9-9ebd-ca5a832e07a6" xlink:to="loc_hst_TermLoanMember_2be3aabb-eb13-4e23-8b96-e197970b17f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_47502a52-b416-44ea-a55e-ac6f2ca7c888" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_47502a52-b416-44ea-a55e-ac6f2ca7c888" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_adde5aca-09a7-40eb-bf60-a240cfa6e7ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_adde5aca-09a7-40eb-bf60-a240cfa6e7ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_e6f41c5d-e8cc-4b4b-b788-365b3ae463b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_e6f41c5d-e8cc-4b4b-b788-365b3ae463b1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_e504395d-29cd-4383-8a07-f3b395e87106" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_e504395d-29cd-4383-8a07-f3b395e87106" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_1ca509a3-62a8-45e1-8734-a3e316344abf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6d03b0ed-8b82-4875-951f-ab32c0c44ef6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_1ca509a3-62a8-45e1-8734-a3e316344abf" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONS" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_458842c0-625f-4739-b491-dc51c431e82d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_458842c0-625f-4739-b491-dc51c431e82d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_458842c0-625f-4739-b491-dc51c431e82d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_56fbbce4-6637-43ba-8ded-abe60749cf24" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_ea7572d2-5a5f-4bce-991d-d7b8dc9bd546" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_ea7572d2-5a5f-4bce-991d-d7b8dc9bd546" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_dcc6cc4a-7fab-48e5-b270-b1ce887dee63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_dcc6cc4a-7fab-48e5-b270-b1ce887dee63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_30bcdca7-5e24-4073-aa5c-868550dc5fdb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_HotelOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_30bcdca7-5e24-4073-aa5c-868550dc5fdb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_937f9f54-02d4-4ad2-91fe-2c6c4d52ad38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_59067bac-2f9e-4b43-8166-5636c4d0b778" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_937f9f54-02d4-4ad2-91fe-2c6c4d52ad38" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_88216469-19ad-443c-83ff-0e54f84e9e0e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_88216469-19ad-443c-83ff-0e54f84e9e0e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_6032cbb3-fb6c-4a4a-bb7e-f2bc6fa75578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_88216469-19ad-443c-83ff-0e54f84e9e0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_6032cbb3-fb6c-4a4a-bb7e-f2bc6fa75578" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_986bffc5-4a2c-45f5-9a99-5dd773f28fa6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_986bffc5-4a2c-45f5-9a99-5dd773f28fa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_eaa07979-cab4-4f12-9df5-3754f07b55b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_eaa07979-cab4-4f12-9df5-3754f07b55b3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_01fa1773-94e2-432f-8e8d-e1b515a6a4a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_01fa1773-94e2-432f-8e8d-e1b515a6a4a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c73e2b29-4003-4107-b916-7f2b089fdc5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_c73e2b29-4003-4107-b916-7f2b089fdc5e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_b8e2e33d-de21-4717-a391-777ad6f746cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_b8e2e33d-de21-4717-a391-777ad6f746cb" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_22287026-96a5-41ac-beaa-dfd542680f46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_21153e18-5e78-4c67-a5c4-e98f3ad94107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_22287026-96a5-41ac-beaa-dfd542680f46" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_c3ad4f84-0ba7-4c38-bfb6-5be72638daf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_c3ad4f84-0ba7-4c38-bfb6-5be72638daf8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_2196885b-dc0d-48a3-b532-424d50daede6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_2196885b-dc0d-48a3-b532-424d50daede6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_3949cf75-83e1-481a-b958-769e8f80a72b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_3949cf75-83e1-481a-b958-769e8f80a72b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_c773d61f-99f6-41cb-ab23-bfa26a9e80c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_c773d61f-99f6-41cb-ab23-bfa26a9e80c5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_f138271c-fff4-4576-96be-a6edd3337c6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_f138271c-fff4-4576-96be-a6edd3337c6c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_90e4aa81-e519-4e7d-b261-0c4cd02cdd13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_90e4aa81-e519-4e7d-b261-0c4cd02cdd13" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_268c6271-9348-4594-b869-84373efc6379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_268c6271-9348-4594-b869-84373efc6379" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ab5754ac-0c9c-4614-8e9c-0278a6aedcc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_ab5754ac-0c9c-4614-8e9c-0278a6aedcc2" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_021269c1-cad7-4105-8424-1eec3b2f02b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_021269c1-cad7-4105-8424-1eec3b2f02b5" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_85502c1a-59b0-4e05-a928-f7943798ee17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_85502c1a-59b0-4e05-a928-f7943798ee17" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_6175841f-9655-42f7-9050-8357ea6b5bc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_6175841f-9655-42f7-9050-8357ea6b5bc5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_e8595345-de2b-42b1-b436-c33511421892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_ec05a6a9-4f24-4f37-a78f-14817c383697" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_e8595345-de2b-42b1-b436-c33511421892" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_2768b165-9356-4a1c-aa2d-1c114d6ee058" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_34455964-2815-4ae3-80c2-2f9c70149473" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_2768b165-9356-4a1c-aa2d-1c114d6ee058" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_34455964-2815-4ae3-80c2-2f9c70149473" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_34455964-2815-4ae3-80c2-2f9c70149473" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa2d139b-1fd3-4585-b7ad-732752037d99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_2d149d75-a201-4ddc-8966-cdd575325f55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa2d139b-1fd3-4585-b7ad-732752037d99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember_f9b7edd3-d939-4fd4-9a4c-8d53783eac37" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_fa2d139b-1fd3-4585-b7ad-732752037d99" xlink:to="loc_hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember_f9b7edd3-d939-4fd4-9a4c-8d53783eac37" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_58c93d7c-7bf3-4fd3-b041-3a9ecde13fd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_2768b165-9356-4a1c-aa2d-1c114d6ee058" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_58c93d7c-7bf3-4fd3-b041-3a9ecde13fd3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5a056baa-4792-4a1d-8a2e-743d3a06a4d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bd3250b6-0e82-4ab3-99dd-9431deaa40a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5a056baa-4792-4a1d-8a2e-743d3a06a4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bd3250b6-0e82-4ab3-99dd-9431deaa40a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_bd3250b6-0e82-4ab3-99dd-9431deaa40a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0cdcbaca-0ca7-4b0c-a60a-1dafb7018f6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_7b12296a-3ad1-4027-bab9-e872bbdc6ba5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0cdcbaca-0ca7-4b0c-a60a-1dafb7018f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_be7f0156-c454-4ab2-bd9b-ae87b1859605" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0cdcbaca-0ca7-4b0c-a60a-1dafb7018f6b" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_be7f0156-c454-4ab2-bd9b-ae87b1859605" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5a056baa-4792-4a1d-8a2e-743d3a06a4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_cdb869ea-13b5-469a-91cf-f69dfe237e35" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_cdb869ea-13b5-469a-91cf-f69dfe237e35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_2c8491ed-2d49-4b18-9cd9-73196287061d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseRightOfUseAsset_2c8491ed-2d49-4b18-9cd9-73196287061d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DueFromManagers_7d6dd88f-f6f0-4c19-9916-272b21563f7e" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DueFromManagers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_hst_DueFromManagers_7d6dd88f-f6f0-4c19-9916-272b21563f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_2094d575-8a24-4171-8dc8-ab2d5e38d414" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_2094d575-8a24-4171-8dc8-ab2d5e38d414" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow_a63cc66b-8849-4a59-a3ca-f98877c1f94c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow_a63cc66b-8849-4a59-a3ca-f98877c1f94c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet_eaeed741-5f7f-46fa-be05-7cfc9af5dfcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet_eaeed741-5f7f-46fa-be05-7cfc9af5dfcf" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_a0f63782-e1f5-4b21-a455-2f72631dd827" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_a0f63782-e1f5-4b21-a455-2f72631dd827" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_339c9110-66cf-4324-8129-ed1d031b5fdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_339c9110-66cf-4324-8129-ed1d031b5fdc" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_88d65159-cda4-4b5d-8d55-b5a4a24f60b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsAbstract_77a3ba43-99d0-4e63-87ba-7dd53862673b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_88d65159-cda4-4b5d-8d55-b5a4a24f60b8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5a056baa-4792-4a1d-8a2e-743d3a06a4d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_0c26e1d5-35cc-415d-8e20-e5bcc797dc27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_0c26e1d5-35cc-415d-8e20-e5bcc797dc27" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_67509db9-2ba9-4efe-a215-daa7b4911589" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_67509db9-2ba9-4efe-a215-daa7b4911589" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherBorrowings_b4eed9cb-178d-49be-9957-8144c2d1c592" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherBorrowings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherBorrowings_b4eed9cb-178d-49be-9957-8144c2d1c592" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_26d67f49-4c69-4aa5-be8b-a583e5efe6e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsAbstract_00e24c3c-2412-4ef4-ab8a-86e848ba66b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_26d67f49-4c69-4aa5-be8b-a583e5efe6e1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_0054c254-d409-4c26-a68f-ec2df994ebb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLiability_0054c254-d409-4c26-a68f-ec2df994ebb6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_35193588-ad30-4196-ad3b-bb942afbf0b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_35193588-ad30-4196-ad3b-bb942afbf0b7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DueToManagers_0270d195-bcd6-40cb-9104-dc6313a24518" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DueToManagers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_hst_DueToManagers_0270d195-bcd6-40cb-9104-dc6313a24518" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_26db8214-9011-4013-9100-b141c966fc3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_26db8214-9011-4013-9100-b141c966fc3d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_a324908e-2e50-4351-a694-e365dc313e66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Liabilities_a324908e-2e50-4351-a694-e365dc313e66" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_acae24c3-62cc-4d16-acc3-7f0a0a04aec1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_acae24c3-62cc-4d16-acc3-7f0a0a04aec1" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract_88458fbf-c1c0-495a-a047-2d6d324cbb6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract_88458fbf-c1c0-495a-a047-2d6d324cbb6e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount_f71fd53f-8c15-46ea-bc82-bdb79c180b3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract_88458fbf-c1c0-495a-a047-2d6d324cbb6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnersCapitalAccount_f71fd53f-8c15-46ea-bc82-bdb79c180b3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount_1f4ab002-483d-4d2c-957a-9dde98930a16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract_88458fbf-c1c0-495a-a047-2d6d324cbb6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccount_1f4ab002-483d-4d2c-957a-9dde98930a16" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_e3fc5a1c-a061-4357-9ee2-0f8fe0d9f4f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAbstract_88458fbf-c1c0-495a-a047-2d6d324cbb6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_e3fc5a1c-a061-4357-9ee2-0f8fe0d9f4f2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_76101001-243d-4672-ab37-66281fcef689" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapital_76101001-243d-4672-ab37-66281fcef689" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInLimitedPartnerships_4e9c8a99-2bc4-4a97-bee8-094cae13d742" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestInLimitedPartnerships"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestInLimitedPartnerships_4e9c8a99-2bc4-4a97-bee8-094cae13d742" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_36ea9689-ac11-4489-aa37-44f86ddaf166" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_36ea9689-ac11-4489-aa37-44f86ddaf166" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_2643cd8d-9a5f-4873-86bd-13235f2ac0a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_ab32e901-3724-44de-9e2f-ff0ba47bb3d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_2643cd8d-9a5f-4873-86bd-13235f2ac0a5" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDBALANCESHEETSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbd8a170-3f32-4c7c-a954-30e7635cbf15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_79add5e5-4be7-4a99-b351-20af54066328" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbd8a170-3f32-4c7c-a954-30e7635cbf15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_79add5e5-4be7-4a99-b351-20af54066328" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_79add5e5-4be7-4a99-b351-20af54066328" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e13963be-402c-4afc-a8c0-f3072ed2ed62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_79ed369b-5fc1-46b6-8317-8099e37769f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e13963be-402c-4afc-a8c0-f3072ed2ed62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TermLoanMember_36cb3af5-349d-41da-8297-133866f1fbbb" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e13963be-402c-4afc-a8c0-f3072ed2ed62" xlink:to="loc_hst_TermLoanMember_36cb3af5-349d-41da-8297-133866f1fbbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_79add5e5-4be7-4a99-b351-20af54066328" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e9588428-1a42-45a0-8b66-789f6cf95f04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_3c911b7b-76f2-4230-90de-f5c428b50576" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e9588428-1a42-45a0-8b66-789f6cf95f04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_16f74f52-69ad-4e6b-ba76-6a6a16fb9968" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e9588428-1a42-45a0-8b66-789f6cf95f04" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_16f74f52-69ad-4e6b-ba76-6a6a16fb9968" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_ce063296-d8a1-4b11-bb31-53ac959c5fd8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_fbd8a170-3f32-4c7c-a954-30e7635cbf15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_ce063296-d8a1-4b11-bb31-53ac959c5fd8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFOPERATIONSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_14a0394d-89c2-4445-b854-6c8b842ca7b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_14a0394d-89c2-4445-b854-6c8b842ca7b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_14a0394d-89c2-4445-b854-6c8b842ca7b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c94b9d88-e112-454b-8486-93b5bdd6f99d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_9888ab22-1b3f-4c4b-9638-82941bd38c77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OccupancyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OccupancyMember_9888ab22-1b3f-4c4b-9638-82941bd38c77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_a6b3df09-71c4-410f-9d98-442fa6d7ccd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FoodAndBeverageMember_a6b3df09-71c4-410f-9d98-442fa6d7ccd6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_764e6dba-f75d-4a9a-b390-70fd95a335ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_HotelOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HotelOtherMember_764e6dba-f75d-4a9a-b390-70fd95a335ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_70fe1658-4c7c-4093-97d0-08210926deb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_09b29a97-8491-4069-bbe1-39a5d97b3c05" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ManagementServiceMember_70fe1658-4c7c-4093-97d0-08210926deb7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_14a0394d-89c2-4445-b854-6c8b842ca7b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_04159641-37a8-44a5-a436-476ccc315ec8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_fd2a9638-dca1-44b4-b554-01d4520d17f1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_04159641-37a8-44a5-a436-476ccc315ec8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_42730aff-b614-4dfb-9e10-2a29fcd4c708" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_04159641-37a8-44a5-a436-476ccc315ec8" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_42730aff-b614-4dfb-9e10-2a29fcd4c708" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_278d7b70-c019-48bb-adea-e1b947406546" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_278d7b70-c019-48bb-adea-e1b947406546" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_066576c4-b72c-45fe-b4c2-c258c93c06cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_278d7b70-c019-48bb-adea-e1b947406546" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_066576c4-b72c-45fe-b4c2-c258c93c06cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_0b0513f4-45f4-4b8e-9be6-7ad9f7058a68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_0b0513f4-45f4-4b8e-9be6-7ad9f7058a68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_b13cf0e9-3176-441f-8e20-b167c8e5c8b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfOtherPropertyOperatingExpense_b13cf0e9-3176-441f-8e20-b167c8e5c8b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_09bb1896-23f1-4c99-a20e-a2164974c544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_09bb1896-23f1-4c99-a20e-a2164974c544" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_365e685a-b9f3-4f57-b811-b9e217e0b538" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_365e685a-b9f3-4f57-b811-b9e217e0b538" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_c5be54ab-0921-408e-a84f-38abfcbbc4a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_c5be54ab-0921-408e-a84f-38abfcbbc4a2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_10c53a91-dd3b-4f81-b725-e0a0cc4d4c91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_fc9265dc-67ad-4955-8374-654b81ca2a94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_10c53a91-dd3b-4f81-b725-e0a0cc4d4c91" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_48ba4687-b128-43fe-adef-e348f1b0435d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_48ba4687-b128-43fe-adef-e348f1b0435d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_da6fe56e-eaf0-4169-9ff7-fb3aad9b17c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncome_da6fe56e-eaf0-4169-9ff7-fb3aad9b17c7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_581dcdc8-1c7e-4e7b-aa0e-47441eee9cfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_581dcdc8-1c7e-4e7b-aa0e-47441eee9cfd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_96dd144f-ac0a-4a3f-88de-5a886f078643" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_96dd144f-ac0a-4a3f-88de-5a886f078643" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_17591e93-da0e-4869-8772-ca3d0bfc141e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_17591e93-da0e-4869-8772-ca3d0bfc141e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_a03fafee-bd5e-4d76-afe1-0aab42f7e839" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_a03fafee-bd5e-4d76-afe1-0aab42f7e839" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_d6773138-1635-4db1-816e-e6c9849f2154" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_d6773138-1635-4db1-816e-e6c9849f2154" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_299cbce0-0a0a-48a0-8d77-36effd58105e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_299cbce0-0a0a-48a0-8d77-36effd58105e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_59ab0867-aed7-4d10-aacb-15d1eefd9f2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_59ab0867-aed7-4d10-aacb-15d1eefd9f2e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_afd6679d-e360-4075-81ee-53afeaf62d50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_afd6679d-e360-4075-81ee-53afeaf62d50" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_2b218b18-d3aa-4a19-83e9-aa2c8590ec7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_2b218b18-d3aa-4a19-83e9-aa2c8590ec7e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_db1e579a-2da4-4563-982d-96241477f166" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_36e6b9bf-86c5-4bc5-96ce-4436df4e439c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_db1e579a-2da4-4563-982d-96241477f166" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCOMPREHENSIVEINCOMEHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_61d577c8-4a0e-47f7-9732-c396a3750147" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88dedf2d-b5d0-4913-8c5b-87988d6c40ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_61d577c8-4a0e-47f7-9732-c396a3750147" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88dedf2d-b5d0-4913-8c5b-87988d6c40ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_88dedf2d-b5d0-4913-8c5b-87988d6c40ba" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_7fb99b2a-c012-4e66-8c59-e3bbb130a343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9a346694-4ee2-4210-8040-501b4212ea33" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_7fb99b2a-c012-4e66-8c59-e3bbb130a343" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_7a6b98a3-29b2-47e3-a416-0b0c19372f7f" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_7fb99b2a-c012-4e66-8c59-e3bbb130a343" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_7a6b98a3-29b2-47e3-a416-0b0c19372f7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_e38e6a68-e1c8-4337-bc1e-051702dd20a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_61d577c8-4a0e-47f7-9732-c396a3750147" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_e38e6a68-e1c8-4337-bc1e-051702dd20a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_61d577c8-4a0e-47f7-9732-c396a3750147" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_d202d398-8980-4b32-8551-3b1c067f41f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_d202d398-8980-4b32-8551-3b1c067f41f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax1_6dcdbdde-be1c-4fb0-8ad1-71f708388df8" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_hst_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnDerivativesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax1_6dcdbdde-be1c-4fb0-8ad1-71f708388df8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7e7c48cd-9abb-439e-ba68-ed0bab63167c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_7e7c48cd-9abb-439e-ba68-ed0bab63167c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_56c59cf1-8144-42d2-84c1-9f613c67ed51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_56c59cf1-8144-42d2-84c1-9f613c67ed51" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_6732a7dd-e3b6-4002-92d7-e55fa1168fa4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_6732a7dd-e3b6-4002-92d7-e55fa1168fa4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_e047367d-43cc-4884-b45e-4d9d9d889a5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract_cfda069f-63e8-49c9-8544-02ca0b953e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_e047367d-43cc-4884-b45e-4d9d9d889a5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiaries" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b3b55ce4-1c50-4fd1-abd2-c73396f00391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b3b55ce4-1c50-4fd1-abd2-c73396f00391" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_b3b55ce4-1c50-4fd1-abd2-c73396f00391" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_eabb695b-db23-4fdf-b46d-8d3bbd211c2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e9d97d87-c762-47a6-bf6a-cea9c8995020" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_eabb695b-db23-4fdf-b46d-8d3bbd211c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_f33bf75e-f05b-4c66-bdd9-1c998a013556" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_eabb695b-db23-4fdf-b46d-8d3bbd211c2d" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_f33bf75e-f05b-4c66-bdd9-1c998a013556" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_000f3ee0-5d67-448f-953a-3772ef4a77ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_000f3ee0-5d67-448f-953a-3772ef4a77ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_71d28ac0-ed95-4c6d-9ba4-92f73284fed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_000f3ee0-5d67-448f-953a-3772ef4a77ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_71d28ac0-ed95-4c6d-9ba4-92f73284fed3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_000f3ee0-5d67-448f-953a-3772ef4a77ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_8f0479aa-5961-49fc-9da6-75442223aa25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_8f0479aa-5961-49fc-9da6-75442223aa25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts_efff9ca5-93e1-4f7f-aa29-6fb1dd9ecad5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfFinancingCostsAndDiscounts_efff9ca5-93e1-4f7f-aa29-6fb1dd9ecad5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_c57722a3-ec6d-49e4-b4fe-ea21d60bb80e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_c57722a3-ec6d-49e4-b4fe-ea21d60bb80e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_14128b0c-60d5-4e49-a79b-c76767a9024d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_14128b0c-60d5-4e49-a79b-c76767a9024d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_1d3f2166-e572-4bde-886a-145f4d8aafe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingGainsLosses_1d3f2166-e572-4bde-886a-145f4d8aafe4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss_8826545c-95c7-477a-869e-8cadabca6e99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss_8826545c-95c7-477a-869e-8cadabca6e99" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_3abc7681-8e3a-4f00-bc0a-5adcdbddc730" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_3abc7681-8e3a-4f00-bc0a-5adcdbddc730" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_IncreaseDecreaseInDueFromManagers_16a878a4-8765-4826-b894-d500b5a904a2" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_IncreaseDecreaseInDueFromManagers"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_hst_IncreaseDecreaseInDueFromManagers_16a878a4-8765-4826-b894-d500b5a904a2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_bae7f3b8-1c7f-4145-898d-9caa56cfefd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions_bae7f3b8-1c7f-4145-898d-9caa56cfefd6" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities_4a29320d-7121-4e22-b8e6-24b6fe8ac616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementOperatingActivities_4a29320d-7121-4e22-b8e6-24b6fe8ac616" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventoryForLongTermContractsOrPrograms_79edc93f-9e6a-472c-8065-fd2e51604c3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventoryForLongTermContractsOrPrograms"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventoryForLongTermContractsOrPrograms_79edc93f-9e6a-472c-8065-fd2e51604c3a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_42400200-eb81-487c-a895-c354b1d43df7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets_42400200-eb81-487c-a895-c354b1d43df7" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_5352ad72-393a-4893-ba1e-65a258317775" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_ce7ef0da-e1a9-49de-8147-0ade86ec00fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_5352ad72-393a-4893-ba1e-65a258317775" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_3a052b68-dee8-4aa1-bbd4-6dc20b2613e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_000f3ee0-5d67-448f-953a-3772ef4a77ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_3a052b68-dee8-4aa1-bbd4-6dc20b2613e8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets_105bbd25-1cda-44f4-bc24-dd45fe804212" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfProductiveAssets_105bbd25-1cda-44f4-bc24-dd45fe804212" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates_f7549499-c0a7-4464-8b2e-945cc281d56b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInSubsidiariesAndAffiliates_f7549499-c0a7-4464-8b2e-945cc281d56b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireCommercialRealEstate_d99550e0-2d4f-4b4f-adff-7f56394a669a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireCommercialRealEstate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireCommercialRealEstate_d99550e0-2d4f-4b4f-adff-7f56394a669a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract_ecd08a2f-5ae9-464e-b643-4be6805c02cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract_ecd08a2f-5ae9-464e-b643-4be6805c02cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherProductiveAssets_7283e008-20ca-4bf4-a649-afd3307fc928" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract_ecd08a2f-5ae9-464e-b643-4be6805c02cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherProductiveAssets_7283e008-20ca-4bf4-a649-afd3307fc928" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements_1cff5e12-15f9-4222-b0d2-fa1f95fce684" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract_ecd08a2f-5ae9-464e-b643-4be6805c02cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForCapitalImprovements_1cff5e12-15f9-4222-b0d2-fa1f95fce684" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities_a158426c-5432-41c7-8043-7d78c75aa509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsAbstract_ecd08a2f-5ae9-464e-b643-4be6805c02cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromInsuranceSettlementInvestingActivities_a158426c-5432-41c7-8043-7d78c75aa509" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_2ea38edd-2509-4eaa-8a20-fdab072f7753" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_ef5ee173-778d-4f61-bd54-b5cd1dee5d5e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_2ea38edd-2509-4eaa-8a20-fdab072f7753" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts_271f418a-d60b-45be-91cf-d8e569e78b49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfFinancingCosts_271f418a-d60b-45be-91cf-d8e569e78b49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_52fce1ad-256d-4c8b-980f-8c683109dbf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_52fce1ad-256d-4c8b-980f-8c683109dbf4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_4257b4a8-a016-4d1f-8ae2-32930f97295b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_4257b4a8-a016-4d1f-8ae2-32930f97295b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_81316677-dbc7-4758-b0ba-81bf70123768" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_81316677-dbc7-4758-b0ba-81bf70123768" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_13f24113-4890-4342-bb8d-59124b0bd06d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_13f24113-4890-4342-bb8d-59124b0bd06d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_569850e4-c9fd-4b2d-a144-771a7420e0f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_569850e4-c9fd-4b2d-a144-771a7420e0f9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_65b27cf8-158a-4c0c-bae6-310c517ca716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_65b27cf8-158a-4c0c-bae6-310c517ca716" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_PaymentForRepurchaseOfPartnersCapitalUnit_0e3b327c-fba8-4e13-9940-8cdd6df7a2f5" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_PaymentForRepurchaseOfPartnersCapitalUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_hst_PaymentForRepurchaseOfPartnersCapitalUnit_0e3b327c-fba8-4e13-9940-8cdd6df7a2f5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerCashDistributionsPaid_f81ec394-6943-4ea9-8e76-b89b50491e90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerCashDistributionsPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionMadeToLimitedPartnerCashDistributionsPaid_f81ec394-6943-4ea9-8e76-b89b50491e90" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DistributionsAndPaymentsToNonControllingInterests_97bcf5d2-89f2-4403-8ea6-24ddc90115be" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DistributionsAndPaymentsToNonControllingInterests"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_hst_DistributionsAndPaymentsToNonControllingInterests_97bcf5d2-89f2-4403-8ea6-24ddc90115be" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities_5ccbe1e6-92b4-4dd6-8f99-cb76b7f313db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromPaymentsForOtherFinancingActivities_5ccbe1e6-92b4-4dd6-8f99-cb76b7f313db" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_bb9fe477-2aa7-4483-8695-cb56665013a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_281d7a8b-3ff8-4b9c-9ca8-c5bb3abdd172" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_bb9fe477-2aa7-4483-8695-cb56665013a4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_330a0283-ba7b-4ac4-928c-2a614a71febd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectOfExchangeRateOnCashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_330a0283-ba7b-4ac4-928c-2a614a71febd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_25ff8145-9ff9-4869-8ae9-6b0dbfed3fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseIncludingExchangeRateEffect_25ff8145-9ff9-4869-8ae9-6b0dbfed3fc4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations_074ebf76-f902-42dc-96d8-4602b04b6f8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations_074ebf76-f902-42dc-96d8-4602b04b6f8e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations_05e2109e-267a-42b4-82d0-04b92c107257" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsIncludingDisposalGroupAndDiscontinuedOperations"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_c8c76c7e-0cee-4d35-8461-e0614ff50aae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_2ca85410-dd31-4d12-a95b-0f23f8cb7f1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_2ca85410-dd31-4d12-a95b-0f23f8cb7f1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_4a550bc5-fbae-49c7-bb0b-4f3c28154b7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_4a550bc5-fbae-49c7-bb0b-4f3c28154b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow_0a711ca4-5d7e-4f0e-9eca-654553fb7e0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReplacementReserveEscrow_0a711ca4-5d7e-4f0e-9eca-654553fb7e0c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_0d8e1156-f1b0-4e86-84ee-dd27bdf96dfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_0d8e1156-f1b0-4e86-84ee-dd27bdf96dfd" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_be0e49c4-96c8-4867-a096-5fc3ed010a54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_be0e49c4-96c8-4867-a096-5fc3ed010a54" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_ca036ff7-6b80-49eb-84e4-66fef9a80fc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_45f07e8b-c95c-4e70-b807-e10b89c3dfa7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_ca036ff7-6b80-49eb-84e4-66fef9a80fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCASHFLOWSHostHotelsResortsLPandSubsidiariesParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7c29b904-9b64-44bc-a44f-59329802092e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9cdc500a-8c1c-49fe-b969-087ec974195e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7c29b904-9b64-44bc-a44f-59329802092e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9cdc500a-8c1c-49fe-b969-087ec974195e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9cdc500a-8c1c-49fe-b969-087ec974195e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_94083cc4-c0fc-4d4d-aec8-27faa3643b2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_8b114ee5-5b77-4e82-b823-00a1ed377314" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_94083cc4-c0fc-4d4d-aec8-27faa3643b2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e1351432-3a11-484d-89a8-2175eb826a75" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_94083cc4-c0fc-4d4d-aec8-27faa3643b2a" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e1351432-3a11-484d-89a8-2175eb826a75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_9cdc500a-8c1c-49fe-b969-087ec974195e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_98609d3d-f85d-4b55-a494-8cccd33522ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_a6f4cb53-ae8e-4d76-a2d9-e571a5f60cf7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_98609d3d-f85d-4b55-a494-8cccd33522ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember_23090a11-dec0-4279-86f7-7ef02069ad73" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_98609d3d-f85d-4b55-a494-8cccd33522ae" xlink:to="loc_hst_TheCambyAutographCollectionMember_23090a11-dec0-4279-86f7-7ef02069ad73" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_a21718bf-fe0f-4030-b659-057e7d8b2120" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_7c29b904-9b64-44bc-a44f-59329802092e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1_a21718bf-fe0f-4030-b659-057e7d8b2120" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/OrganizationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#OrganizationAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/OrganizationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureLineItems_f26307d6-d337-4525-95fb-043f7c8af5d1" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTable_d6826a88-b00f-4f4a-a4f2-58e3b8e95b83" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureLineItems_f26307d6-d337-4525-95fb-043f7c8af5d1" xlink:to="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTable_d6826a88-b00f-4f4a-a4f2-58e3b8e95b83" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTable_d6826a88-b00f-4f4a-a4f2-58e3b8e95b83" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_bce02681-ffbb-4e49-8086-9b91d411c801" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_86fdc2c3-2394-4d31-a53a-0e6af380d158" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_bce02681-ffbb-4e49-8086-9b91d411c801" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_d4f53c26-400b-491d-8487-6b8f100a2d66" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_bce02681-ffbb-4e49-8086-9b91d411c801" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_d4f53c26-400b-491d-8487-6b8f100a2d66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_f02a0517-a270-4ed0-abd0-13001a58160b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureLineItems_f26307d6-d337-4525-95fb-043f7c8af5d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_f02a0517-a270-4ed0-abd0-13001a58160b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/OrganizationConsolidatedPortfolioofHotelsbyLocationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#OrganizationConsolidatedPortfolioofHotelsbyLocationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/OrganizationConsolidatedPortfolioofHotelsbyLocationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_d02c7f44-4e41-4561-a25a-f223ab5b1ac8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_0c6f775a-2458-4d98-a53d-dfaae1608f5f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_d02c7f44-4e41-4561-a25a-f223ab5b1ac8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_0c6f775a-2458-4d98-a53d-dfaae1608f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRealEstatePropertiesTable_0c6f775a-2458-4d98-a53d-dfaae1608f5f" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_dccbffd7-a0c2-49ed-97fe-a7c4c5bda83d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_394b70ff-59ed-4c09-bbe2-18f0190e744c" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_dccbffd7-a0c2-49ed-97fe-a7c4c5bda83d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_505f3465-c69e-4022-ad73-96ce870b04f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_dccbffd7-a0c2-49ed-97fe-a7c4c5bda83d" xlink:to="loc_country_US_505f3465-c69e-4022-ad73-96ce870b04f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_BR_825b3467-305b-41d7-86ee-f83983c1f052" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_BR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_dccbffd7-a0c2-49ed-97fe-a7c4c5bda83d" xlink:to="loc_country_BR_825b3467-305b-41d7-86ee-f83983c1f052" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CA_c095dd46-5c0e-4d23-84ce-95ac77ba27ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_CA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_dccbffd7-a0c2-49ed-97fe-a7c4c5bda83d" xlink:to="loc_country_CA_c095dd46-5c0e-4d23-84ce-95ac77ba27ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_0b504f06-b60f-4044-956d-02da8c6be113" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RealEstatePropertiesLineItems_d02c7f44-4e41-4561-a25a-f223ab5b1ac8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfRealEstateProperties_0b504f06-b60f-4044-956d-02da8c6be113" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_256cc0df-7cfe-4737-b870-ecd1ba3dd514" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_41e02d30-5d42-49c4-8f82-af6f7581ff1c" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_256cc0df-7cfe-4737-b870-ecd1ba3dd514" xlink:to="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_41e02d30-5d42-49c4-8f82-af6f7581ff1c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_41e02d30-5d42-49c4-8f82-af6f7581ff1c" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_129ced24-74ec-45dd-a5a7-a6274f11776c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_347ff27c-4378-4bd3-8af2-2c4fa0d0b3e6" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_129ced24-74ec-45dd-a5a7-a6274f11776c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_cffa291f-1eb8-47ee-a771-239f7a1d2bca" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_129ced24-74ec-45dd-a5a7-a6274f11776c" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_cffa291f-1eb8-47ee-a771-239f7a1d2bca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_41e02d30-5d42-49c4-8f82-af6f7581ff1c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9aabb64a-3a90-4520-b428-7efab209549a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_928733ee-68dc-4a76-b34b-8c1273b464bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9aabb64a-3a90-4520-b428-7efab209549a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_f75625b9-2bd0-48be-91f5-405b6a09d0d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9aabb64a-3a90-4520-b428-7efab209549a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_f75625b9-2bd0-48be-91f5-405b6a09d0d6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTable_41e02d30-5d42-49c4-8f82-af6f7581ff1c" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a2bec99-6bc3-4c27-8aff-a5cbafa2cd3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_e98f5aea-0040-4210-b55a-fc1f0fc6fdaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a2bec99-6bc3-4c27-8aff-a5cbafa2cd3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_cd774155-6ddc-409b-9b52-308c27a79c90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a2bec99-6bc3-4c27-8aff-a5cbafa2cd3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_cd774155-6ddc-409b-9b52-308c27a79c90" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_60a8fd1f-edee-4ba6-9b66-2b71c710a4e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_4a2bec99-6bc3-4c27-8aff-a5cbafa2cd3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_60a8fd1f-edee-4ba6-9b66-2b71c710a4e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfPartnerships_91ad790f-9580-4d75-a217-f7b2b5038116" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfPartnerships"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_256cc0df-7cfe-4737-b870-ecd1ba3dd514" xlink:to="loc_hst_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfPartnerships_91ad790f-9580-4d75-a217-f7b2b5038116" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_7ad721d5-147f-43a0-8229-2b7c2a719b06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_256cc0df-7cfe-4737-b870-ecd1ba3dd514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_7ad721d5-147f-43a0-8229-2b7c2a719b06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage_fb06f409-542d-4b28-a579-d52ec45db86a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_SignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems_256cc0df-7cfe-4737-b870-ecd1ba3dd514" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityOwnershipPercentage_fb06f409-542d-4b28-a579-d52ec45db86a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareUnitAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#EarningsPerCommonShareUnitAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareUnitAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_a2a91d2c-55ef-449e-8b1c-9f2134423885" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_abd71413-dd85-4892-9813-daefa7f27aaf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_a2a91d2c-55ef-449e-8b1c-9f2134423885" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_abd71413-dd85-4892-9813-daefa7f27aaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_abd71413-dd85-4892-9813-daefa7f27aaf" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_869332bb-a2bc-4ae3-afd7-f3c5c1461cd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_0ee07f46-155a-4831-8f26-11ff426b2464" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_869332bb-a2bc-4ae3-afd7-f3c5c1461cd9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e24c152f-3f2e-43e8-9162-d87694179224" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_869332bb-a2bc-4ae3-afd7-f3c5c1461cd9" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_e24c152f-3f2e-43e8-9162-d87694179224" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_abd71413-dd85-4892-9813-daefa7f27aaf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_a7be69ec-298e-41fe-80fc-cb53a76150fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_6f54f851-94bb-4363-950a-636e69aff530" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_a7be69ec-298e-41fe-80fc-cb53a76150fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_a44c9395-ea82-498a-954d-768a432b7750" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_a7be69ec-298e-41fe-80fc-cb53a76150fe" xlink:to="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_a44c9395-ea82-498a-954d-768a432b7750" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_bdcbb3e0-1271-4e1a-9f06-6ed99a89ed17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_a2a91d2c-55ef-449e-8b1c-9f2134423885" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_bdcbb3e0-1271-4e1a-9f06-6ed99a89ed17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SharesIfUnitsOfPartnershipConvertedAmount_c64f91fc-bd38-4160-8861-3f05b88cb1db" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SharesIfUnitsOfPartnershipConvertedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_a2a91d2c-55ef-449e-8b1c-9f2134423885" xlink:to="loc_hst_SharesIfUnitsOfPartnershipConvertedAmount_c64f91fc-bd38-4160-8861-3f05b88cb1db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareUnitHostLPDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#EarningsPerCommonShareUnitHostLPDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EarningsPerCommonShareUnitHostLPDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_eddb3caa-654f-49e0-a4d6-7e4593deb993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_eddb3caa-654f-49e0-a4d6-7e4593deb993" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_eddb3caa-654f-49e0-a4d6-7e4593deb993" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b51aa1d8-28a9-46ea-8a4b-f1e6c4c0f762" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ec623a8c-f660-4379-a0d5-ee3ccc8314a2" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b51aa1d8-28a9-46ea-8a4b-f1e6c4c0f762" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_153b1fa2-08cd-4561-b458-21a986643399" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_b51aa1d8-28a9-46ea-8a4b-f1e6c4c0f762" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_153b1fa2-08cd-4561-b458-21a986643399" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_52f9121c-1a69-43b6-afcc-0395a5b252b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_52f9121c-1a69-43b6-afcc-0395a5b252b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_5b480b0a-9823-4de8-a2a9-5a5dbaea94bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_5b480b0a-9823-4de8-a2a9-5a5dbaea94bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c7a9d59a-67f1-4943-a446-b7331baccc6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_c7a9d59a-67f1-4943-a446-b7331baccc6f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_54759813-992d-478b-b4d5-a43b735ae2eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_54759813-992d-478b-b4d5-a43b735ae2eb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_c0c9f6a8-e410-4fe8-84b0-c8b3ab6b171b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements_c0c9f6a8-e410-4fe8-84b0-c8b3ab6b171b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_5effd2c6-84b8-434a-8213-8e92d131079d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_5effd2c6-84b8-434a-8213-8e92d131079d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_3535d97c-7fc2-441e-8515-91df37f5ef7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_3535d97c-7fc2-441e-8515-91df37f5ef7d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_5adc99af-8adf-48ec-83ed-346df8d4ea3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDilutedLineItems_1548426d-6c54-4396-8c70-72aa30ee70ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_5adc99af-8adf-48ec-83ed-346df8d4ea3b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/RevenueSummaryofDisaggregatedHotelRevenuesbyMarketLocationsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#RevenueSummaryofDisaggregatedHotelRevenuesbyMarketLocationsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/RevenueSummaryofDisaggregatedHotelRevenuesbyMarketLocationsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24887d89-c9e1-4b14-b2b2-e068d1743b40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_040fc693-50f6-406d-896c-55f6b0369de2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24887d89-c9e1-4b14-b2b2-e068d1743b40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_040fc693-50f6-406d-896c-55f6b0369de2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_040fc693-50f6-406d-896c-55f6b0369de2" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8c8f1d25-2987-4f0b-814e-86df47ef8a2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_65993437-3002-4340-ac63-494fa2ecede4" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8c8f1d25-2987-4f0b-814e-86df47ef8a2a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8c8f1d25-2987-4f0b-814e-86df47ef8a2a" xlink:to="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_FloridaGulfCoastMember_de6e5422-2216-4341-9926-68c9c8700ce6" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_FloridaGulfCoastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_FloridaGulfCoastMember_de6e5422-2216-4341-9926-68c9c8700ce6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SanDiegoMember_3a13e532-b3a1-4ce9-9e21-82aa062c29b0" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SanDiegoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SanDiegoMember_3a13e532-b3a1-4ce9-9e21-82aa062c29b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OrlandoMember_46a1af30-bcc4-4a6d-9652-8791fb3b2061" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OrlandoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_OrlandoMember_46a1af30-bcc4-4a6d-9652-8791fb3b2061" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_PhoenixMember_029f85ce-90c9-47ed-be66-8566a01b8ca4" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_PhoenixMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_PhoenixMember_029f85ce-90c9-47ed-be66-8566a01b8ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_MauiOahuMember_0c107d4b-786f-498d-b288-50953b3cd406" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_MauiOahuMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_MauiOahuMember_0c107d4b-786f-498d-b288-50953b3cd406" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SanFranciscoSanJoseMember_8e13cf4f-c92b-4f03-81ed-acdd0a31ac80" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SanFranciscoSanJoseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SanFranciscoSanJoseMember_8e13cf4f-c92b-4f03-81ed-acdd0a31ac80" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_stpr_DC_295249c2-8530-4789-9f9c-3dcd9889f487" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2023/stpr-2023.xsd#stpr_DC"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_stpr_DC_295249c2-8530-4789-9f9c-3dcd9889f487" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_NewYorkCityMember_e49702d5-f1d1-4421-bf86-0f239ec843f3" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_NewYorkCityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_NewYorkCityMember_e49702d5-f1d1-4421-bf86-0f239ec843f3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_MiamiMember_731ee526-d75f-493f-8682-194f7e9e8056" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_MiamiMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_MiamiMember_731ee526-d75f-493f-8682-194f7e9e8056" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HoustonMember_9cb8b2a6-09eb-4428-a620-94b23a234f52" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HoustonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_HoustonMember_9cb8b2a6-09eb-4428-a620-94b23a234f52" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_BostonMember_2eb6e1d9-2b4a-4da8-9654-51f3839e277d" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_BostonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_BostonMember_2eb6e1d9-2b4a-4da8-9654-51f3839e277d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_JacksonvilleMember_ff71f2be-4c92-4671-a01e-031da385427e" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_JacksonvilleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_JacksonvilleMember_ff71f2be-4c92-4671-a01e-031da385427e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_LosAngelesOrangeCountyMember_f31cbd0a-59fc-4acb-9323-adb9888d2974" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_LosAngelesOrangeCountyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_LosAngelesOrangeCountyMember_f31cbd0a-59fc-4acb-9323-adb9888d2974" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SanAntonioMember_50440c48-7cea-4893-8619-2bb0639b71a3" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SanAntonioMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SanAntonioMember_50440c48-7cea-4893-8619-2bb0639b71a3" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_ChicagoMember_67fd606f-b610-482f-b4b1-e3e77c4c6b59" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_ChicagoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_ChicagoMember_67fd606f-b610-482f-b4b1-e3e77c4c6b59" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_NewOrleansMember_17974033-4f8c-4f1a-9f7a-4243be955e21" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_NewOrleansMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_NewOrleansMember_17974033-4f8c-4f1a-9f7a-4243be955e21" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SeattleMember_587b725a-20d5-47a3-b2f2-b05a1b9417f8" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SeattleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SeattleMember_587b725a-20d5-47a3-b2f2-b05a1b9417f8" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_NorthernVirginiaMember_1feb7a74-69c9-4cae-9820-c6eae2c07f06" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_NorthernVirginiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_NorthernVirginiaMember_1feb7a74-69c9-4cae-9820-c6eae2c07f06" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DenverMember_ae552ff7-2742-4d5b-8f5d-709d4700928d" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DenverMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_DenverMember_ae552ff7-2742-4d5b-8f5d-709d4700928d" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_AustinMember_8996b537-3a19-48c1-bce0-deb2bbe27bfe" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_AustinMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_AustinMember_8996b537-3a19-48c1-bce0-deb2bbe27bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_PhiladelphiaMember_5eb7ac21-a000-40cf-ac67-b83d8c2ad234" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_PhiladelphiaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_PhiladelphiaMember_5eb7ac21-a000-40cf-ac67-b83d8c2ad234" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_AtlantaMember_5328486b-1d5e-4a94-81e1-740577e13c11" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_AtlantaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_AtlantaMember_5328486b-1d5e-4a94-81e1-740577e13c11" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_NashvilleMember_85731fe5-9168-418d-b491-40285ac325ea" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_NashvilleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_NashvilleMember_85731fe5-9168-418d-b491-40285ac325ea" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OtherUSLocationsMember_72e7761e-36a5-4358-b032-a479b2b83922" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OtherUSLocationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_country_US_ec9ed6a6-f2d8-4f79-9593-bf646806e30c" xlink:to="loc_hst_OtherUSLocationsMember_72e7761e-36a5-4358-b032-a479b2b83922" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_744cb52b-f019-4c01-ac5d-367117a4655c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8c8f1d25-2987-4f0b-814e-86df47ef8a2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_744cb52b-f019-4c01-ac5d-367117a4655c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_824a9903-76a3-453f-8b4c-f9ca0f5a8a01" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_24887d89-c9e1-4b14-b2b2-e068d1743b40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_824a9903-76a3-453f-8b4c-f9ca0f5a8a01" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_462e2a6b-0414-40f4-a268-04d8df5a771b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_462e2a6b-0414-40f4-a268-04d8df5a771b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_462e2a6b-0414-40f4-a268-04d8df5a771b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0792878c-fecc-44dc-8c24-d0e1c9711631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_19e07c63-1491-454a-bb7b-9b18baf72dbe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0792878c-fecc-44dc-8c24-d0e1c9711631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1f2a517e-414f-40ce-af14-39554cf75241" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_0792878c-fecc-44dc-8c24-d0e1c9711631" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1f2a517e-414f-40ce-af14-39554cf75241" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_462e2a6b-0414-40f4-a268-04d8df5a771b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cb72a7a4-54ab-447a-a628-bf40f268737b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_457524f4-ef29-433d-b894-5948f1a5ecb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cb72a7a4-54ab-447a-a628-bf40f268737b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_dc0341ad-6aa2-4824-b82d-ae4b6beb9c3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_cb72a7a4-54ab-447a-a628-bf40f268737b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_dc0341ad-6aa2-4824-b82d-ae4b6beb9c3b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_462e2a6b-0414-40f4-a268-04d8df5a771b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e60f2670-41b1-448a-9a89-c7f174044d8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3efb2828-10af-4f9e-b626-b5cdb773a94a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e60f2670-41b1-448a-9a89-c7f174044d8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SeriesKSeniorNotesFivePointSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyThirtyFourMember_9946cb8a-f609-491c-a40f-57625b7c50df" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SeriesKSeniorNotesFivePointSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyThirtyFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e60f2670-41b1-448a-9a89-c7f174044d8c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SeriesKSeniorNotesFivePointSevenPercentDueJulyTwentyThirtyFourMember_9946cb8a-f609-491c-a40f-57625b7c50df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_SeriesGSeniorNotesThreePointEightSevenFivePercentDueAprilTwentyTwentyFourMember_963f7ed6-df2b-4a66-9340-bcb8b863fbc5" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_SeriesGSeniorNotesThreePointEightSevenFivePercentDueAprilTwentyTwentyFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e60f2670-41b1-448a-9a89-c7f174044d8c" xlink:to="loc_hst_SeriesGSeniorNotesThreePointEightSevenFivePercentDueAprilTwentyTwentyFourMember_963f7ed6-df2b-4a66-9340-bcb8b863fbc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_e3a22377-0b62-4bc6-8d95-3105659d4dff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromRepaymentsOfLinesOfCredit_e3a22377-0b62-4bc6-8d95-3105659d4dff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_8d15e236-8e9f-468c-86eb-61e811cba8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_8d15e236-8e9f-468c-86eb-61e811cba8a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_9725734c-4453-4023-92dc-0968f512aa3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_9725734c-4453-4023-92dc-0968f512aa3e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_11c4d9f5-e92d-4955-b4d7-a0d82f49923d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSeniorDebt_11c4d9f5-e92d-4955-b4d7-a0d82f49923d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_77ab9186-cd1c-4722-885e-a54f0ce0b3eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_77ab9186-cd1c-4722-885e-a54f0ce0b3eb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_f4c7dcae-394f-4513-86e8-6cff366eca69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_f4c7dcae-394f-4513-86e8-6cff366eca69" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_31d381fa-486d-4bd5-814d-114df94e0fbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSeniorLongTermDebt_31d381fa-486d-4bd5-814d-114df94e0fbe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DebtInstrumentMinimumNumberOfProjectsToFinanceAndOrRefinance_9e0a77ef-b386-44cb-8396-fcc4e13e8a4c" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DebtInstrumentMinimumNumberOfProjectsToFinanceAndOrRefinance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_hst_DebtInstrumentMinimumNumberOfProjectsToFinanceAndOrRefinance_9e0a77ef-b386-44cb-8396-fcc4e13e8a4c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDaysPriorToMaturityDateBeforeEligibleForRedemption_b3762d79-d380-47c4-8b0d-0bdc93f62a0f" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDaysPriorToMaturityDateBeforeEligibleForRedemption"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_hst_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDaysPriorToMaturityDateBeforeEligibleForRedemption_b3762d79-d380-47c4-8b0d-0bdc93f62a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_f178d10d-a84f-45b9-a6fe-0bc8ebfb13a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_d918024a-afb0-4497-99e0-1c4915d695a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_f178d10d-a84f-45b9-a6fe-0bc8ebfb13a1" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofEquityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofEquityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofEquityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_27393919-a0cc-47b7-91d7-845e981e1a43" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_a8a4c314-37f8-4641-b961-bdf240fdbfa3" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_27393919-a0cc-47b7-91d7-845e981e1a43" xlink:to="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_a8a4c314-37f8-4641-b961-bdf240fdbfa3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_a8a4c314-37f8-4641-b961-bdf240fdbfa3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_32a74cf5-d1d3-47d4-8325-51a369fa5c88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_70fc98ab-9aae-471b-a89e-2c605bc676bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_70fc98ab-9aae-471b-a89e-2c605bc676bd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_a9de2554-e3a5-4dbb-a724-fce6809b40c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_a9de2554-e3a5-4dbb-a724-fce6809b40c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_65dbdd50-6fc2-445a-9caa-b720b7e9cb8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_65dbdd50-6fc2-445a-9caa-b720b7e9cb8e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_05a67e19-cbd4-4b59-89da-81f253977864" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_05a67e19-cbd4-4b59-89da-81f253977864" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_5a8c8ea4-bf74-4425-9bee-ee8f8b450cb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_5a8c8ea4-bf74-4425-9bee-ee8f8b450cb9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TemporaryEquityRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsMember_cc48aac0-7099-4c96-9cb2-3b0772e85fa9" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TemporaryEquityRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_db7b319c-605d-43d9-954f-411d53a713a7" xlink:to="loc_hst_TemporaryEquityRedeemableNoncontrollingInterestsMember_cc48aac0-7099-4c96-9cb2-3b0772e85fa9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_27393919-a0cc-47b7-91d7-845e981e1a43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_25aad030-782f-4e6c-8d85-8ae34739b7c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_25aad030-782f-4e6c-8d85-8ae34739b7c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_50bbe304-bd33-4517-9502-1d8fab5d6537" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_50bbe304-bd33-4517-9502-1d8fab5d6537" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_7097c73b-c7c7-4b74-9fd9-4d3335912139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_7097c73b-c7c7-4b74-9fd9-4d3335912139" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_6e87149f-228b-4da3-adb8-598e7118bf3b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityOther_6e87149f-228b-4da3-adb8-598e7118bf3b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_1c12fc9f-afad-488c-9931-52bedb2a35e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_1c12fc9f-afad-488c-9931-52bedb2a35e9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_023be191-c022-4f22-961c-8c32d982f220" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_023be191-c022-4f22-961c-8c32d982f220" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_5fb2c40e-9788-4287-9bfa-53bbbb832125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock_5fb2c40e-9788-4287-9bfa-53bbbb832125" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_b5a2e804-1baf-4ad8-b275-4fe8af90d686" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_b5a2e804-1baf-4ad8-b275-4fe8af90d686" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_24bff925-eb6e-4525-9d95-04bf5dd2c698" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_edd7f3cb-377c-47cf-baca-841b270554e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_24bff925-eb6e-4525-9d95-04bf5dd2c698" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_c7f90b09-5c79-432b-96e1-e508ab4218ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_03942ade-5d3d-4e6d-bf74-b08bf0765f7f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e7cd35ee-4d4d-4e03-9256-2ff746ab9f89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_03942ade-5d3d-4e6d-bf74-b08bf0765f7f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_63deef3a-963c-4d1d-a5f7-bc74e01f7b37" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_03942ade-5d3d-4e6d-bf74-b08bf0765f7f" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_63deef3a-963c-4d1d-a5f7-bc74e01f7b37" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b5126804-e04b-4ea2-84db-fb1e883ac2ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_f7f4c1ec-b3c8-4541-83f5-66fd785c09a4" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b5126804-e04b-4ea2-84db-fb1e883ac2ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_27672a19-f3ae-40f6-a681-f9cb79bf55dd" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_b5126804-e04b-4ea2-84db-fb1e883ac2ca" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostLimitedPartnershipInterestMember_27672a19-f3ae-40f6-a681-f9cb79bf55dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_1adddaf3-9e1c-4f7f-9bf6-6b33ce53a770" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_25c4147d-0a05-45c9-95d3-f8425abdd1d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_1adddaf3-9e1c-4f7f-9bf6-6b33ce53a770" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_b11f97f4-13b9-440e-8b32-9844279bf3b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_1adddaf3-9e1c-4f7f-9bf6-6b33ce53a770" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_b11f97f4-13b9-440e-8b32-9844279bf3b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_cafec88e-d39f-4d1e-8d45-7f06774ca0f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsidiarySaleOfStockAxis_6b39f418-53a0-429f-aee1-85420a17ed99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_cafec88e-d39f-4d1e-8d45-7f06774ca0f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_EquityDistributionProgramMember_5bb7f2a8-f23d-45b9-b0de-68f873eaaf2c" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_EquityDistributionProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SaleOfStockNameOfTransactionDomain_cafec88e-d39f-4d1e-8d45-7f06774ca0f6" xlink:to="loc_hst_EquityDistributionProgramMember_5bb7f2a8-f23d-45b9-b0de-68f873eaaf2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_9ade0d9a-b45c-46a3-8106-5ea09b7344e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_e498d92b-f561-4766-a758-d39a8376b064" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_9ade0d9a-b45c-46a3-8106-5ea09b7344e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_c0cc1dfa-58d4-4170-b153-4b858d36f47e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_9ade0d9a-b45c-46a3-8106-5ea09b7344e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_c0cc1dfa-58d4-4170-b153-4b858d36f47e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteTable_af489574-02cc-487b-9fec-d789bfe708af" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_4dc193c8-54a1-4f16-91b8-71332bdaa45a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_b5b15bb8-5842-4570-b5f4-603fe5996cb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_4dc193c8-54a1-4f16-91b8-71332bdaa45a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_5fddbd75-37f8-459b-a68f-858417a71310" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_4dc193c8-54a1-4f16-91b8-71332bdaa45a" xlink:to="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_5fddbd75-37f8-459b-a68f-858417a71310" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_acb3cc57-c6b2-474e-86e3-63f660d2e9b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByParent_acb3cc57-c6b2-474e-86e3-63f660d2e9b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_81836941-71c2-44a8-9059-a7d279fdfca3" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_81836941-71c2-44a8-9059-a7d279fdfca3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_4bc0dfe4-2ab5-4271-98b1-c9e90f3eb4e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_4bc0dfe4-2ab5-4271-98b1-c9e90f3eb4e8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_c6e225c3-2046-417a-89c4-bdb053d6e1ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_c6e225c3-2046-417a-89c4-bdb053d6e1ee" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_be29b7ba-505f-499c-9369-20eff7e4c177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_be29b7ba-505f-499c-9369-20eff7e4c177" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_StockIssuanceRemainingCapacity_160b7217-b24a-46dc-b4f9-67b9475d4be6" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_StockIssuanceRemainingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_hst_StockIssuanceRemainingCapacity_160b7217-b24a-46dc-b4f9-67b9475d4be6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a66c2955-b9bc-4255-b557-244c53e71739" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_a66c2955-b9bc-4255-b557-244c53e71739" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_f280f6f3-00d2-4f17-9397-9a878e8a3621" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_f280f6f3-00d2-4f17-9397-9a878e8a3621" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_6426b312-5299-40a2-83a0-7daf97d3f0d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareCashPaid_6426b312-5299-40a2-83a0-7daf97d3f0d7" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalDistributionAmountPerShare_8a6ede41-689a-432a-b47f-2c32c13bae4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalDistributionAmountPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalDistributionAmountPerShare_8a6ede41-689a-432a-b47f-2c32c13bae4f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_724ba4c8-c05d-4d55-b6b3-e9cdce33b404" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_724ba4c8-c05d-4d55-b6b3-e9cdce33b404" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_cfea08e6-fcde-4737-9945-73490499f20b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_StockholdersEquityNoteLineItems_df6e0511-bcdf-4257-9daa-bbaa894ab2d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_cfea08e6-fcde-4737-9945-73490499f20b" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofCapitalDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofCapitalDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/EquityofHostIncandCapitalofHostLPComponentsofCapitalDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_98381817-3514-4b4a-9493-91672423b505" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_98381817-3514-4b4a-9493-91672423b505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d6403ca5-930f-419f-b788-baacbe37083a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_9092dd45-d048-459b-9a1f-06341caa7b8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d6403ca5-930f-419f-b788-baacbe37083a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_39356eef-705b-4943-b25d-08c053f73f5f" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_d6403ca5-930f-419f-b788-baacbe37083a" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_39356eef-705b-4943-b25d-08c053f73f5f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_49b3cbdf-7735-4092-98e8-cb540e42a199" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountAxis_6a3cefd1-f78b-4b04-af0b-f7af401b1655" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_49b3cbdf-7735-4092-98e8-cb540e42a199" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_be0a50de-f8d2-4601-8b34-6f920adc0696" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_49b3cbdf-7735-4092-98e8-cb540e42a199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralPartnerMember_be0a50de-f8d2-4601-8b34-6f920adc0696" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_5845e607-bfe1-4abe-800c-cbd5c856244c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerTypeOfPartnersCapitalAccountNameDomain_49b3cbdf-7735-4092-98e8-cb540e42a199" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember_5845e607-bfe1-4abe-800c-cbd5c856244c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_c25df59c-f805-4184-bb70-bb2c5e1ba43d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_8194c786-5bce-4005-a677-848b495dcb92" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_c25df59c-f805-4184-bb70-bb2c5e1ba43d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_6f852a80-63e6-4ec4-a729-d5a131e3555f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_c25df59c-f805-4184-bb70-bb2c5e1ba43d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_6f852a80-63e6-4ec4-a729-d5a131e3555f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_ecc608f8-801a-49c6-95e7-95dc908bdfe0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_c25df59c-f805-4184-bb70-bb2c5e1ba43d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_ecc608f8-801a-49c6-95e7-95dc908bdfe0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_LimitedPartnershipInterestsOfThirdPartiesMember_13e0b7d7-7e8b-43e3-b4ac-5a6f64ac9891" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_LimitedPartnershipInterestsOfThirdPartiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_c25df59c-f805-4184-bb70-bb2c5e1ba43d" xlink:to="loc_hst_LimitedPartnershipInterestsOfThirdPartiesMember_13e0b7d7-7e8b-43e3-b4ac-5a6f64ac9891" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfLimitedPartnersCapitalAccountByClassTable_0509f080-c4a0-4603-b6cb-29d6bdba1544" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_64944fa4-acf0-4efb-baa4-e8fce77e4691" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_e6895427-c01b-4996-a945-bb97daa3570b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_64944fa4-acf0-4efb-baa4-e8fce77e4691" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_e96e3f9d-b43f-409b-8be0-cf359d476e74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_64944fa4-acf0-4efb-baa4-e8fce77e4691" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_e96e3f9d-b43f-409b-8be0-cf359d476e74" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LimitedPartnersCapitalAccountLineItems_98381817-3514-4b4a-9493-91672423b505" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_5298ccbd-a172-4d72-94ed-0963720aa606" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_5298ccbd-a172-4d72-94ed-0963720aa606" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_82000f3e-88e3-47f2-8f20-1aec95bfe7b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_82000f3e-88e3-47f2-8f20-1aec95bfe7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_31cfa744-fb98-43ff-9bbe-ed8b6d0ce9f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossIncludingPortionAttributableToNonredeemableNoncontrollingInterest_31cfa744-fb98-43ff-9bbe-ed8b6d0ce9f6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalOther_90107a79-c0ae-4581-ae89-591b8147f7d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalOther_90107a79-c0ae-4581-ae89-591b8147f7d3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_34a4ecc7-8af1-4bfa-8517-74f25aa38e9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_34a4ecc7-8af1-4bfa-8517-74f25aa38e9b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_43e7cd24-944f-4ae6-832a-a9d26a59a866" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitBasedCompensation_43e7cd24-944f-4ae6-832a-a9d26a59a866" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions_1981c74c-c708-4c09-a116-3d73352486dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalAccountDistributions_1981c74c-c708-4c09-a116-3d73352486dd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_80d2c21e-09f8-4156-a770-a82388a318c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_80d2c21e-09f8-4156-a770-a82388a318c2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7ae46cbc-bd7b-49a0-abd1-2727d5b405b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPartnersCapitalRollForward_ae8a656a-52d3-4407-b0cb-15697cf7bce9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_7ae46cbc-bd7b-49a0-abd1-2727d5b405b5" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_067ffc2b-600f-42af-ad94-132d5eedd1eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnersCapitalIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/AcquisitionsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#AcquisitionsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/AcquisitionsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_de450928-a7a7-4f71-87dd-f6740cdd3559" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_f2781251-3b9c-4dcb-8dd1-d999a75afeb4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_de450928-a7a7-4f71-87dd-f6740cdd3559" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_f2781251-3b9c-4dcb-8dd1-d999a75afeb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_f2781251-3b9c-4dcb-8dd1-d999a75afeb4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a77a2596-7d72-4285-a1ee-ed53f4bc56d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_3d041c19-785b-4352-b177-2ff8d81ef16f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a77a2596-7d72-4285-a1ee-ed53f4bc56d8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleAndEmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_9e992690-1242-4cc1-b77d-3052f6f6e16b" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OneHotelNashvilleAndEmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a77a2596-7d72-4285-a1ee-ed53f4bc56d8" xlink:to="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleAndEmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_9e992690-1242-4cc1-b77d-3052f6f6e16b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleMember_c5e37656-e52e-4f1f-999f-c3e990c0db61" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OneHotelNashvilleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleAndEmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_9e992690-1242-4cc1-b77d-3052f6f6e16b" xlink:to="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleMember_c5e37656-e52e-4f1f-999f-c3e990c0db61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_EmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_5c3e4870-962a-49b2-b731-f66a54062ea5" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_EmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hst_OneHotelNashvilleAndEmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_9e992690-1242-4cc1-b77d-3052f6f6e16b" xlink:to="loc_hst_EmbassySuitesByHiltonNashvilleDowntownMember_5c3e4870-962a-49b2-b731-f66a54062ea5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OneHotelCentralParkMember_de007386-3c68-4d7e-98c0-109c44685147" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OneHotelCentralParkMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a77a2596-7d72-4285-a1ee-ed53f4bc56d8" xlink:to="loc_hst_OneHotelCentralParkMember_de007386-3c68-4d7e-98c0-109c44685147" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_TurtleBayResortMember_f2974b3c-079f-44c0-abb5-271b6801d6c2" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_TurtleBayResortMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_a77a2596-7d72-4285-a1ee-ed53f4bc56d8" xlink:to="loc_hst_TurtleBayResortMember_f2974b3c-079f-44c0-abb5-271b6801d6c2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_f2781251-3b9c-4dcb-8dd1-d999a75afeb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2c1a1595-126e-461c-8f05-a9d24e65510d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_401687f0-e581-40b4-9fd5-8eb9b9053958" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2c1a1595-126e-461c-8f05-a9d24e65510d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_1325a64f-187a-4d7b-b73c-f79921019e2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2c1a1595-126e-461c-8f05-a9d24e65510d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_1325a64f-187a-4d7b-b73c-f79921019e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionTable_f2781251-3b9c-4dcb-8dd1-d999a75afeb4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_30972a33-7da4-465c-80e3-723b7925e902" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis_5f7ca53f-cfc1-434c-9d45-92664b863c60" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_30972a33-7da4-465c-80e3-723b7925e902" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_DevelopmentLandParcelMember_154090b0-fb89-40dd-8e0a-4abf5b800d09" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_DevelopmentLandParcelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_30972a33-7da4-465c-80e3-723b7925e902" xlink:to="loc_hst_DevelopmentLandParcelMember_154090b0-fb89-40dd-8e0a-4abf5b800d09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty_38e66bb0-c163-4648-b4a4-d2cf6defa72e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_de450928-a7a7-4f71-87dd-f6740cdd3559" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty_38e66bb0-c163-4648-b4a4-d2cf6defa72e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_f5c9560b-2700-457a-8a12-2456c286f22a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_de450928-a7a7-4f71-87dd-f6740cdd3559" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionConsiderationTransferred_f5c9560b-2700-457a-8a12-2456c286f22a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_AssetAcquisitionAreaOfLandAcquired_feeda98c-0ef5-4d2e-b25d-30f18536b75d" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_AssetAcquisitionAreaOfLandAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetAcquisitionLineItems_de450928-a7a7-4f71-87dd-f6740cdd3559" xlink:to="loc_hst_AssetAcquisitionAreaOfLandAcquired_feeda98c-0ef5-4d2e-b25d-30f18536b75d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValuesofCertainFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFairValuesofCertainFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValuesofCertainFinancialAssetsandFinancialLiabilitiesDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralLineItems_f4302f8a-d25b-4c4d-8314-4d80cf259611" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralTable_6c643736-6405-4c00-88ab-b5d728df195b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralLineItems_f4302f8a-d25b-4c4d-8314-4d80cf259611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralTable_6c643736-6405-4c00-88ab-b5d728df195b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralTable_6c643736-6405-4c00-88ab-b5d728df195b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b2613f06-e43e-4ecc-bdce-ce9022c1d1b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fef441eb-f65b-41da-9f88-e3bee8f09632" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b2613f06-e43e-4ecc-bdce-ce9022c1d1b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_63830ced-9abd-4905-a21f-963b2a640f5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b2613f06-e43e-4ecc-bdce-ce9022c1d1b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_63830ced-9abd-4905-a21f-963b2a640f5a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ed2b7e85-8042-43d6-98cd-7a1c377d44dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_b2613f06-e43e-4ecc-bdce-ce9022c1d1b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ed2b7e85-8042-43d6-98cd-7a1c377d44dc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralTable_6c643736-6405-4c00-88ab-b5d728df195b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_cabeb553-af75-469c-af34-048b93fd5f2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9209801e-350c-4fef-993b-682befc44fbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_cabeb553-af75-469c-af34-048b93fd5f2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_b17c69c0-9c3c-4eb7-bb8e-155713b211c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_cabeb553-af75-469c-af34-048b93fd5f2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_b17c69c0-9c3c-4eb7-bb8e-155713b211c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_0aaa0ae3-ec91-4ae4-9516-58b2af77a776" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralLineItems_f4302f8a-d25b-4c4d-8314-4d80cf259611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_0aaa0ae3-ec91-4ae4-9516-58b2af77a776" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet_fe4d67d0-c806-4c20-9204-9512f3244b94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_0aaa0ae3-ec91-4ae4-9516-58b2af77a776" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsAndNotesReceivableNet_fe4d67d0-c806-4c20-9204-9512f3244b94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableFairValueDisclosure_86937f66-e2c9-4cea-a683-68b86ea32509" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NotesReceivableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_0aaa0ae3-ec91-4ae4-9516-58b2af77a776" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesReceivableFairValueDisclosure_86937f66-e2c9-4cea-a683-68b86ea32509" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsOwnedAndPledgedAsCollateralLineItems_f4302f8a-d25b-4c4d-8314-4d80cf259611" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_fe42d7b2-36ba-4c0a-b944-076ec609e66d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotes"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotes_fe42d7b2-36ba-4c0a-b944-076ec609e66d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_b3a0a616-8742-4d30-9b94-40372a09964f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_b3a0a616-8742-4d30-9b94-40372a09964f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_3edc594d-803c-4fd8-a264-6d9c738e13ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_3edc594d-803c-4fd8-a264-6d9c738e13ca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_fd992519-e7cd-40e2-a497-1dba9875cfce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityFairValueOfAmountOutstanding_fd992519-e7cd-40e2-a497-1dba9875cfce" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_e7ade7a7-0b64-499b-bf99-3e75c66bc971" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_31f00686-07e5-4154-a62f-236f7ba1578f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebt_e7ade7a7-0b64-499b-bf99-3e75c66bc971" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/GeographicInformationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#GeographicInformationAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/GeographicInformationAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b86e1b83-c9ef-41e7-9968-63eee5728cb1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d248148c-8ce9-4d1b-822b-740846cf056a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b86e1b83-c9ef-41e7-9968-63eee5728cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d248148c-8ce9-4d1b-822b-740846cf056a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_d248148c-8ce9-4d1b-822b-740846cf056a" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_5e6f2061-f481-4708-973d-d30fb8a6de8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_9de215db-a11d-49d7-bab7-15dd748e155b" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_5e6f2061-f481-4708-973d-d30fb8a6de8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_367fb075-05b9-48ae-9fef-364aeadf97c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_5e6f2061-f481-4708-973d-d30fb8a6de8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_367fb075-05b9-48ae-9fef-364aeadf97c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_9183d7f5-9fa7-4c17-b8f4-4ee667df6c22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b86e1b83-c9ef-41e7-9968-63eee5728cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_9183d7f5-9fa7-4c17-b8f4-4ee667df6c22" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfCountriesInWhichEntityOperates_963b4e46-06ce-4608-a442-21071200e794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfCountriesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_b86e1b83-c9ef-41e7-9968-63eee5728cb1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfCountriesInWhichEntityOperates_963b4e46-06ce-4608-a442-21071200e794" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/GeographicInformationRevenuesandLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreaDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#GeographicInformationRevenuesandLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreaDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/GeographicInformationRevenuesandLonglivedAssetsbyGeographicalAreaDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9ae94175-0ebb-444e-9557-7e8f4727c11e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_16854c93-18ae-4473-8ec7-3828b3cb14d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9ae94175-0ebb-444e-9557-7e8f4727c11e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_16854c93-18ae-4473-8ec7-3828b3cb14d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_16854c93-18ae-4473-8ec7-3828b3cb14d3" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_3d5acef9-82b4-46ca-8b86-e2a33d1f571c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_2b676e08-e973-4167-9ce1-1e01ee4f73b2" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_3d5acef9-82b4-46ca-8b86-e2a33d1f571c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_US_b4acb2a5-a755-4d60-bc85-b78f2c32cafb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_US"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_3d5acef9-82b4-46ca-8b86-e2a33d1f571c" xlink:to="loc_country_US_b4acb2a5-a755-4d60-bc85-b78f2c32cafb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_BR_fcede6cc-8013-437d-9e88-2d7c5bafde26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_BR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_3d5acef9-82b4-46ca-8b86-e2a33d1f571c" xlink:to="loc_country_BR_fcede6cc-8013-437d-9e88-2d7c5bafde26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_CA_bbdab140-d617-4300-a7f6-9444c5f4fc3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2023/country-2023.xsd#country_CA"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_3d5acef9-82b4-46ca-8b86-e2a33d1f571c" xlink:to="loc_country_CA_bbdab140-d617-4300-a7f6-9444c5f4fc3a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_bfae830e-d36f-4723-a012-7f4a6196ea21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9ae94175-0ebb-444e-9557-7e8f4727c11e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_bfae830e-d36f-4723-a012-7f4a6196ea21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_52a9072f-7e90-4136-bdd9-4f045133c71d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9ae94175-0ebb-444e-9557-7e8f4727c11e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_52a9072f-7e90-4136-bdd9-4f045133c71d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#NoncontrollingInterestsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_08f4b88d-7a7f-4fb3-afec-03a7ab2e9494" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_7c425c82-332c-4b94-a5f2-9f689a8b5452" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_08f4b88d-7a7f-4fb3-afec-03a7ab2e9494" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_7c425c82-332c-4b94-a5f2-9f689a8b5452" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestTable_7c425c82-332c-4b94-a5f2-9f689a8b5452" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_20d75579-e19d-4c98-beeb-3d611786df94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_e671e489-59d5-491b-b079-634be9d2ad06" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_20d75579-e19d-4c98-beeb-3d611786df94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_be102e39-7626-4032-b121-b814cbf71d13" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_20d75579-e19d-4c98-beeb-3d611786df94" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_be102e39-7626-4032-b121-b814cbf71d13" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_fa0c129f-a801-4fab-9002-fedc9e78a35f" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_08f4b88d-7a7f-4fb3-afec-03a7ab2e9494" xlink:to="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_fa0c129f-a801-4fab-9002-fedc9e78a35f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_NumberOfPartnershipsConsolidated_14e12d92-5328-48ab-9db8-646b67e3cd19" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_NumberOfPartnershipsConsolidated"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestLineItems_08f4b88d-7a7f-4fb3-afec-03a7ab2e9494" xlink:to="loc_hst_NumberOfPartnershipsConsolidated_14e12d92-5328-48ab-9db8-646b67e3cd19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsHistoricalCostandRedemptionValuesforNonControllingInterestsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#NoncontrollingInterestsHistoricalCostandRedemptionValuesforNonControllingInterestsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/NoncontrollingInterestsHistoricalCostandRedemptionValuesforNonControllingInterestsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_aafb078e-ca5c-4f1f-9cdf-ca9fdfaeed0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_aafb078e-ca5c-4f1f-9cdf-ca9fdfaeed0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_aafb078e-ca5c-4f1f-9cdf-ca9fdfaeed0f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_4b9d90c6-6794-4be8-98d6-70491519f6a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_ede47e9e-a20e-4b85-8b2a-41e8f4c8cc33" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_4b9d90c6-6794-4be8-98d6-70491519f6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_713ff124-05d9-42fd-9e5e-384e3ad8a425" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_4b9d90c6-6794-4be8-98d6-70491519f6a2" xlink:to="loc_hst_HostHotelsResortsLimitedPartnershipSubsidiariesMember_713ff124-05d9-42fd-9e5e-384e3ad8a425" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionTable_aafb078e-ca5c-4f1f-9cdf-ca9fdfaeed0f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_e6b6386d-a718-4e24-ab45-a09e472bc332" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsAxis_7d47b6b3-debf-49bf-9123-ba2272267cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_e6b6386d-a718-4e24-ab45-a09e472bc332" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_e7d37c46-5a04-4e8f-aeb3-64f07b0fbd12" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PartnerCapitalComponentsDomain_e6b6386d-a718-4e24-ab45-a09e472bc332" xlink:to="loc_hst_RedeemableNonControllingInterestsMember_e7d37c46-5a04-4e8f-aeb3-64f07b0fbd12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_89a2764f-f6cf-4bc9-a626-4d958dc57de7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnitsOfPartnershipInterestAmount_89a2764f-f6cf-4bc9-a626-4d958dc57de7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_443b8af2-b7d0-47aa-a4d3-25d24c3b7fb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharePrice_443b8af2-b7d0-47aa-a4d3-25d24c3b7fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_eeb9446c-8679-4159-8b51-8e227e29664e" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_hst_CommonStockIssuableUponConversionOfOneOperatingUnit_eeb9446c-8679-4159-8b51-8e227e29664e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityRedemptionValue_4a274dbf-36ba-45cd-aa74-7db61d3711be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityRedemptionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityRedemptionValue_4a274dbf-36ba-45cd-aa74-7db61d3711be" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HistoricalCost_a4fd9cec-402d-4d60-801f-c620633a6653" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HistoricalCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_hst_HistoricalCost_a4fd9cec-402d-4d60-801f-c620633a6653" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_4abda783-a6e3-4019-93f4-5c0cd1ef4569" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharesSubjectToMandatoryRedemptionBySettlementTermsLineItems_7fea0623-343c-4984-9a7a-2ec8f3933b80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RedeemableNoncontrollingInterestEquityCarryingAmount_4abda783-a6e3-4019-93f4-5c0cd1ef4569" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/ContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#ContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/ContingenciesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_be96c664-eb00-4d3d-a28b-7598268ca55f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_be96c664-eb00-4d3d-a28b-7598268ca55f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_be96c664-eb00-4d3d-a28b-7598268ca55f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3201f0e5-e9ef-40db-8938-c1e2560558e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_4efb5b30-9e1a-4983-87ae-958d8a72438c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3201f0e5-e9ef-40db-8938-c1e2560558e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_HurricaneIanMember_99dbe701-8e87-45a1-9679-f32c2891242b" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_HurricaneIanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3201f0e5-e9ef-40db-8938-c1e2560558e6" xlink:to="loc_hst_HurricaneIanMember_99dbe701-8e87-45a1-9679-f32c2891242b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_August2023MauiWildfiresMember_bb3924e0-52bc-441d-b446-02a4206bab5b" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_August2023MauiWildfiresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_3201f0e5-e9ef-40db-8938-c1e2560558e6" xlink:to="loc_hst_August2023MauiWildfiresMember_bb3924e0-52bc-441d-b446-02a4206bab5b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_be96c664-eb00-4d3d-a28b-7598268ca55f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_a31fa24e-ba1d-4454-b261-e43ee60848f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9b7354e2-9d7c-4237-950e-8608fad6295a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_a31fa24e-ba1d-4454-b261-e43ee60848f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_4ccce280-f857-4495-aeeb-70ac806739d3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_a31fa24e-ba1d-4454-b261-e43ee60848f9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_4ccce280-f857-4495-aeeb-70ac806739d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_be96c664-eb00-4d3d-a28b-7598268ca55f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_3aa82a0a-ad5d-4840-85c1-13e7fd9d2469" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingenciesByNatureAxis_d1df2d0a-6abb-4cb3-a61e-870e72f36578" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_3aa82a0a-ad5d-4840-85c1-13e7fd9d2469" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_BusinessInterruptionInsuranceMember_23a8cc27-a56e-4e2d-b09c-49005b17d93c" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_BusinessInterruptionInsuranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_3aa82a0a-ad5d-4840-85c1-13e7fd9d2469" xlink:to="loc_hst_BusinessInterruptionInsuranceMember_23a8cc27-a56e-4e2d-b09c-49005b17d93c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_8a9591bc-1b22-46de-ae65-9849bb92eccc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainContingencyNatureDomain_3aa82a0a-ad5d-4840-85c1-13e7fd9d2469" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyInsuranceProductLineMember_8a9591bc-1b22-46de-ae65-9849bb92eccc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_43659cc1-536e-45eb-b8e5-011297bf994f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_43659cc1-536e-45eb-b8e5-011297bf994f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_LossContingencyTotalInsuranceProceedsReceived_6c4ec2ec-8a3c-4e42-b4ff-9333d335d77e" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_LossContingencyTotalInsuranceProceedsReceived"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_hst_LossContingencyTotalInsuranceProceedsReceived_6c4ec2ec-8a3c-4e42-b4ff-9333d335d77e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableProceeds_634b6e75-79b9-4547-b4eb-ee5e02251647" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableProceeds"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivableProceeds_634b6e75-79b9-4547-b4eb-ee5e02251647" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_eb9ef676-905f-4ab2-9f93-788e9f38a4e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable_eb9ef676-905f-4ab2-9f93-788e9f38a4e2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_63073ee6-c4c6-42a7-af92-f33e8d40b9a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainOnBusinessInterruptionInsuranceRecovery_63073ee6-c4c6-42a7-af92-f33e8d40b9a2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss_e737504e-26b0-49c4-a975-f66a5e530a78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_3e2c3344-55ee-4cc1-afef-d8d6052bc087" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InsuredEventGainLoss_e737504e-26b0-49c4-a975-f66a5e530a78" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/LegalProceedingsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#LegalProceedingsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.hosthotels.com/role/LegalProceedingsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_f99abdc6-dd67-407b-a760-9ffe971025df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_ce0c9a4d-ed8a-4e95-ad62-ee3ab981fa5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_f99abdc6-dd67-407b-a760-9ffe971025df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_ce0c9a4d-ed8a-4e95-ad62-ee3ab981fa5d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_ce0c9a4d-ed8a-4e95-ad62-ee3ab981fa5d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_dfc77f92-dff4-4e58-bad6-2e80a0603fca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_779933a7-e31b-4be4-81e4-7526f09d48bc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_dfc77f92-dff4-4e58-bad6-2e80a0603fca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hst_OtherLitigationCasesMember_d1c07c2b-99cf-4fe4-bbd6-9660b36dc817" xlink:href="hst-20240630.xsd#hst_OtherLitigationCasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_dfc77f92-dff4-4e58-bad6-2e80a0603fca" xlink:to="loc_hst_OtherLitigationCasesMember_d1c07c2b-99cf-4fe4-bbd6-9660b36dc817" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_ce0c9a4d-ed8a-4e95-ad62-ee3ab981fa5d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_29bdc0bf-484b-4f84-bdc3-66bd415b58b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_5dfc0083-82ab-48f0-9aec-b9100ac6dfdc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_29bdc0bf-484b-4f84-bdc3-66bd415b58b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3f800c61-c0e8-461c-91c9-dcc863268ef8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_29bdc0bf-484b-4f84-bdc3-66bd415b58b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_3f800c61-c0e8-461c-91c9-dcc863268ef8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_b2c4cd21-5a87-4b1d-88ad-d5bf67ecd179" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_f99abdc6-dd67-407b-a760-9ffe971025df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_b2c4cd21-5a87-4b1d-88ad-d5bf67ecd179" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
