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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2024 Workiva-->
<!--r:b3119c15-35a6-44f2-834c-8d213dfbd5e0,g:4c636c51-ab71-47c5-8e29-48139e5cae66-->
<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.lumen.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_e88777e2-9a30-4bb8-9e1f-33066ed3833e" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_e88777e2-9a30-4bb8-9e1f-33066ed3833e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1" 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_dei_DocumentInformationTable_e88777e2-9a30-4bb8-9e1f-33066ed3833e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1_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_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ffb929bb-23fb-4aeb-8b82-cac469151fb7" 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_f6959212-7e08-4ec5-9626-cd40b74f68a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ffb929bb-23fb-4aeb-8b82-cac469151fb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f2d8cf46-65de-4d0b-9553-4d9240222a36" 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_ffb929bb-23fb-4aeb-8b82-cac469151fb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_f2d8cf46-65de-4d0b-9553-4d9240222a36" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_2d682d0f-3704-4f90-9504-77f783782ad6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_ffb929bb-23fb-4aeb-8b82-cac469151fb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_2d682d0f-3704-4f90-9504-77f783782ad6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_ee2bd37d-14ca-4fd2-8cce-2431a6403d09" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_ee2bd37d-14ca-4fd2-8cce-2431a6403d09" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_1f1eae97-10b4-4605-86de-acef22d42a36" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_1f1eae97-10b4-4605-86de-acef22d42a36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_0a991c01-ee29-4e3b-9c88-b7f0a6d754be" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_0a991c01-ee29-4e3b-9c88-b7f0a6d754be" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_a1bb0648-2253-4000-b28e-ee10ecd47848" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_a1bb0648-2253-4000-b28e-ee10ecd47848" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_0247ccdd-2915-4dab-b548-4815013c9dd0" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_0247ccdd-2915-4dab-b548-4815013c9dd0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_46785657-1737-444c-a325-38c886c06bbf" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_46785657-1737-444c-a325-38c886c06bbf" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_c8c3eacf-49ed-42f9-a493-05896804ff52" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_c8c3eacf-49ed-42f9-a493-05896804ff52" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_462fbe90-007b-4ada-b690-d12a0d298215" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_462fbe90-007b-4ada-b690-d12a0d298215" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_8b588aa3-6983-4718-88fd-b0df949648f6" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_8b588aa3-6983-4718-88fd-b0df949648f6" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_eea36abd-3edc-42ee-ab1b-7bcef0a1a047" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_eea36abd-3edc-42ee-ab1b-7bcef0a1a047" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_bccc1720-f540-4c51-869d-cd9e81603529" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_bccc1720-f540-4c51-869d-cd9e81603529" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_803a18c5-8e63-44fb-818a-10b138d33075" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_803a18c5-8e63-44fb-818a-10b138d33075" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5dd2849f-dbeb-4793-81f2-a5e52abf9327" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_5dd2849f-dbeb-4793-81f2-a5e52abf9327" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_73bbfe41-c898-4253-ab82-3cf8becda512" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_73bbfe41-c898-4253-ab82-3cf8becda512" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_3fef26aa-7a79-4a20-a6a8-da04b1621d3a" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_3fef26aa-7a79-4a20-a6a8-da04b1621d3a" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_816a7897-94b7-45f4-b3e2-1a6f4915d7fc" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_816a7897-94b7-45f4-b3e2-1a6f4915d7fc" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_fac01ed1-5f3e-49c7-84ed-811408e46ee8" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_fac01ed1-5f3e-49c7-84ed-811408e46ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_c9254fff-af02-41f1-a805-fb3cb4277a73" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_c9254fff-af02-41f1-a805-fb3cb4277a73" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_5a07d90a-daf2-4ebb-9ed7-939262f99db3" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_5a07d90a-daf2-4ebb-9ed7-939262f99db3" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_d0981de2-ab83-4c3d-84b1-8359d98e1d28" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_d0981de2-ab83-4c3d-84b1-8359d98e1d28" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_f783d2f8-be8e-4077-9444-f923a0bb876c" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_f783d2f8-be8e-4077-9444-f923a0bb876c" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_9cb69090-e9d4-4cd0-971a-19f81468700c" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_9cb69090-e9d4-4cd0-971a-19f81468700c" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_573dd272-61b8-4b17-b4f3-ec2e4afa23b2" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_573dd272-61b8-4b17-b4f3-ec2e4afa23b2" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_15bb776f-38c9-4eeb-9f3b-8adf203539eb" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_15bb776f-38c9-4eeb-9f3b-8adf203539eb" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag_f6078958-b6f6-431e-98c1-dc5db3527d6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2023/dei-2023.xsd#dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag_f6078958-b6f6-431e-98c1-dc5db3527d6b" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_e256d5cb-9e64-46f8-8232-8a7592097095" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_e256d5cb-9e64-46f8-8232-8a7592097095" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_305602bc-dde9-489a-8465-09afde076d14" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_305602bc-dde9-489a-8465-09afde076d14" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_7900e82f-d859-4df1-a959-0e80b9dd721c" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_7900e82f-d859-4df1-a959-0e80b9dd721c" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_715ec06a-fa21-4705-bec4-79bfcc9ce5db" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_715ec06a-fa21-4705-bec4-79bfcc9ce5db" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_b7f35fcf-db71-46e5-8239-a539aa6efcaa" 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_7fcb7eaa-e8aa-4994-aca5-7aaa136cf330" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_b7f35fcf-db71-46e5-8239-a539aa6efcaa" xlink:type="arc" order="29"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/CONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITYUNAUDITED" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_525f8e43-3cee-4fe7-ad05-b7c4a980b854" 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_c98ab93a-7555-44c1-aeb0-d94c3b568fa6" 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_525f8e43-3cee-4fe7-ad05-b7c4a980b854" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_c98ab93a-7555-44c1-aeb0-d94c3b568fa6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e" 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_StatementTable_c98ab93a-7555-44c1-aeb0-d94c3b568fa6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e_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_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" 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_b21f6ffb-e627-4c37-ae57-3ecbe664a95e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4344854d-1370-45e4-9099-f371cbf2cb8a" 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_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_4344854d-1370-45e4-9099-f371cbf2cb8a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_863170c9-28a0-4f14-8f3f-fe837e5badb9" 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_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_863170c9-28a0-4f14-8f3f-fe837e5badb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c77a4ad5-2d57-442f-b218-95b56de687a5" 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_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_c77a4ad5-2d57-442f-b218-95b56de687a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_101ce33d-17d2-4fed-8866-e19b55381b8e" 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_28c937f5-910d-4cfa-bd0a-3b391b41a860" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_101ce33d-17d2-4fed-8866-e19b55381b8e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" 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_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_525f8e43-3cee-4fe7-ad05-b7c4a980b854" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01e09845-1ce8-445f-aa9d-2230b7040663" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_01e09845-1ce8-445f-aa9d-2230b7040663" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncentiveAndBenefitPlans_aa503612-715a-4742-ab10-ccc7ba949937" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncentiveAndBenefitPlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_lumn_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIncentiveAndBenefitPlans_aa503612-715a-4742-ab10-ccc7ba949937" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_8bfc93e9-7267-4b4c-9dd5-e7cf1bced353" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_8bfc93e9-7267-4b4c-9dd5-e7cf1bced353" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_a3ba3e9a-0241-4287-81a2-80cb8e04f765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_a3ba3e9a-0241-4287-81a2-80cb8e04f765" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_fca5261f-626e-4d69-b407-fca306385ab9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_fca5261f-626e-4d69-b407-fca306385ab9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_0a521e51-9d6c-47e1-bd3e-ba3258fbcc37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_0a521e51-9d6c-47e1-bd3e-ba3258fbcc37" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_dbfd7411-2473-4fdc-ba1b-27f1acaa76b5" 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_27026ea1-d675-4578-bd9f-736a075d4405" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_dbfd7411-2473-4fdc-ba1b-27f1acaa76b5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_e8ae7b55-6977-4849-a97a-6a1d9e6299f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/BackgroundDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#BackgroundDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/BackgroundDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain_36f2925e-db26-4ad2-b6e8-34c13eeafd37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ErrorCorrectionsAndPriorPeriodAdjustmentsRestatementByRestatementPeriodAndAmountAxis_e9922a24-c0bc-4f47-84f6-f76ebebea986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain_36f2925e-db26-4ad2-b6e8-34c13eeafd37" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_CorrectionOfErrorFromUnderstatementOfRevenuesAndNetworkExpensesPriorTo2021Member_0de4e0b3-cc8f-45ca-9bea-e66090fc5db5" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_CorrectionOfErrorFromUnderstatementOfRevenuesAndNetworkExpensesPriorTo2021Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsForErrorCorrectionDomain_36f2925e-db26-4ad2-b6e8-34c13eeafd37" xlink:to="loc_lumn_CorrectionOfErrorFromUnderstatementOfRevenuesAndNetworkExpensesPriorTo2021Member_0de4e0b3-cc8f-45ca-9bea-e66090fc5db5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_a8292ef7-6e19-4443-82d4-53bc36023dd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_f228aa6b-7d7e-47d4-9a2e-d486af853b44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_a8292ef7-6e19-4443-82d4-53bc36023dd9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FiberNetworkAssetsMember_9a2ac35e-f346-4068-81a6-3e51b09296f4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FiberNetworkAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_a8292ef7-6e19-4443-82d4-53bc36023dd9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FiberNetworkAssetsMember_9a2ac35e-f346-4068-81a6-3e51b09296f4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_9dfdb0c6-47f3-4618-8086-5081e768594b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis_e3e1b3a3-90e4-4579-9b0a-a506036676a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_9dfdb0c6-47f3-4618-8086-5081e768594b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingMethodAccountedForAsChangeInEstimateMember_00302e20-09c2-4584-b239-f7dbfa908580" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingMethodAccountedForAsChangeInEstimateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateTypeDomain_9dfdb0c6-47f3-4618-8086-5081e768594b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingMethodAccountedForAsChangeInEstimateMember_00302e20-09c2-4584-b239-f7dbfa908580" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_3628e6d8-f2a3-4cf7-b7ff-ce8ed7975c9b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_326eb88c-9864-4098-9132-70fd5dede8cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_3628e6d8-f2a3-4cf7-b7ff-ce8ed7975c9b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_15afd584-1238-4623-a12f-741f84eb5c92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_3628e6d8-f2a3-4cf7-b7ff-ce8ed7975c9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_15afd584-1238-4623-a12f-741f84eb5c92" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975" 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_ScheduleOfChangeInAccountingEstimateTable_885b2b0e-0591-4f69-9581-e6a0a168d765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975_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_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6b5f0a56-7da4-456a-bbac-5a067218f448" 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_c86db91a-3257-450d-bf0f-1e9656797975" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6b5f0a56-7da4-456a-bbac-5a067218f448" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ILECBusinessMember_ad41df9b-f993-405d-af76-ae4674f7f63e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ILECBusinessMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6b5f0a56-7da4-456a-bbac-5a067218f448" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ILECBusinessMember_ad41df9b-f993-405d-af76-ae4674f7f63e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_8affb9a5-3004-4704-b8bf-cfccec3e438e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStatesInWhichEntityOperates_8affb9a5-3004-4704-b8bf-cfccec3e438e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_NumberOfBusinessDivestitures_0639a5f7-db96-43d9-b08f-de4e11002514" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_NumberOfBusinessDivestitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_lumn_NumberOfBusinessDivestitures_0639a5f7-db96-43d9-b08f-de4e11002514" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_98c56bd4-9d92-4689-bd0e-23d0f7f1e42b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_98c56bd4-9d92-4689-bd0e-23d0f7f1e42b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BankOverdrafts_a7fe6179-f32f-4c18-ad62-ec399ae6046e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BankOverdrafts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BankOverdrafts_a7fe6179-f32f-4c18-ad62-ec399ae6046e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_ef657b6f-2061-4ae8-bf3d-2414e5b0ea63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_ef657b6f-2061-4ae8-bf3d-2414e5b0ea63" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_03faa6a5-8a2e-4a62-b071-558531e79ba9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_03faa6a5-8a2e-4a62-b071-558531e79ba9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DepreciationNetOfTax_f128c6d8-19c5-490b-90d1-e844f0747dff" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DepreciationNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DepreciationNetOfTax_f128c6d8-19c5-490b-90d1-e844f0747dff" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_4aa689ec-b544-4c7e-b8db-0bc03544a6b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateLineItems_479c8e4d-b783-4a50-864a-bf25ff1f2edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerDilutedShare_4aa689ec-b544-4c7e-b8db-0bc03544a6b3" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsGoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_c2aaf438-154e-43d3-98b3-f5fe5ba7ca09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_c2aaf438-154e-43d3-98b3-f5fe5ba7ca09" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_c2aaf438-154e-43d3-98b3-f5fe5ba7ca09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_1c99ddd7-3250-4ac6-a91a-c62393d8c8a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_ee931b7d-dd6f-456a-84b9-d0000dd0bdd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_ee931b7d-dd6f-456a-84b9-d0000dd0bdd9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember_f2aba3e5-a6ea-4b24-85e7-469793bff8c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember_f2aba3e5-a6ea-4b24-85e7-469793bff8c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TradeNamesPatentsAndOtherMember_018cfe65-b3a1-4d78-95bf-4845b4b6ed0f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TradeNamesPatentsAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TradeNamesPatentsAndOtherMember_018cfe65-b3a1-4d78-95bf-4845b4b6ed0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCustomerRelationshipMember_27b363f5-1678-4214-b899-52689c96241f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCustomerRelationshipMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCustomerRelationshipMember_27b363f5-1678-4214-b899-52689c96241f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCapitalizedSoftwareMember_b56ee423-28cf-48ed-986a-627c8fb7b4de" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCapitalizedSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_d2e572de-1004-46a1-92c0-572ce158e201" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FullyAmortizedAndRetiredCapitalizedSoftwareMember_b56ee423-28cf-48ed-986a-627c8fb7b4de" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_f9a7061b-2e01-4e9e-adea-60cef57f75a2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_f9a7061b-2e01-4e9e-adea-60cef57f75a2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_918dc8e8-5cd9-4d09-bb6b-2ccc6a1693ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_918dc8e8-5cd9-4d09-bb6b-2ccc6a1693ba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_b080f5d1-d577-468e-a846-ddf2ccb75868" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_b080f5d1-d577-468e-a846-ddf2ccb75868" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_da4ca945-da73-4b20-b070-8a9f317ce45e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill_da4ca945-da73-4b20-b070-8a9f317ce45e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_e50c7c84-199a-494e-8e53-b1647356a1d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_e50c7c84-199a-494e-8e53-b1647356a1d9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_c2c8bc96-6cb6-46a0-a41c-c70750d46ac5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_d0756fda-cfec-48f2-a00a-aa73641f1d0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_c2c8bc96-6cb6-46a0-a41c-c70750d46ac5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/GoodwillCustomerRelationshipsandOtherIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3915915e-f298-4558-9eb0-605eac073287" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_2ffbf94b-a287-4097-9cb2-8a0b6d8d3bbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3915915e-f298-4558-9eb0-605eac073287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_2ffbf94b-a287-4097-9cb2-8a0b6d8d3bbc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_2ffbf94b-a287-4097-9cb2-8a0b6d8d3bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ad017a2-1e3a-475d-acfc-1175added79d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_80775294-9134-452f-b396-742c718993e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ad017a2-1e3a-475d-acfc-1175added79d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_41aea7ce-2f60-4a7b-9d5f-af1c1aa695fd" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ad017a2-1e3a-475d-acfc-1175added79d" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_41aea7ce-2f60-4a7b-9d5f-af1c1aa695fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_8cc950e0-539d-4252-9a98-20d2a935cac4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7ad017a2-1e3a-475d-acfc-1175added79d" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_8cc950e0-539d-4252-9a98-20d2a935cac4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_3915915e-f298-4558-9eb0-605eac073287" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_IntangibleAssetsGrossIncludingGoodwill_949a6a99-e578-4bda-90de-a003d6888a79" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_IntangibleAssetsGrossIncludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_lumn_IntangibleAssetsGrossIncludingGoodwill_949a6a99-e578-4bda-90de-a003d6888a79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_3da1362f-4af5-4511-95d0-de9acab62e87" 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_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_3da1362f-4af5-4511-95d0-de9acab62e87" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_081e3f8e-8261-4b87-997c-d3b0e516df7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_081e3f8e-8261-4b87-997c-d3b0e516df7b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_295d1940-dd82-4918-bab0-16e0fc104e3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_295d1940-dd82-4918-bab0-16e0fc104e3e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_d6932b93-1138-477b-8f91-e1264ea59e4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_d6932b93-1138-477b-8f91-e1264ea59e4f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_abc7f52b-a32e-4b85-9378-59e96eebb39e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_badb0071-1970-4143-95df-dd2a01bf8d30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_abc7f52b-a32e-4b85-9378-59e96eebb39e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRevenuebySegmentSalesChannelandProductCategoryDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#RevenueRecognitionRevenuebySegmentSalesChannelandProductCategoryDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRevenuebySegmentSalesChannelandProductCategoryDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_899c112b-2246-42a0-b666-4be5f95beccd" 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_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" 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_899c112b-2246-42a0-b666-4be5f95beccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_629a7df2-b34f-4a2c-a048-628884dd280b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_9d869d2d-649f-49f7-ab2b-dac98b3be725" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_629a7df2-b34f-4a2c-a048-628884dd280b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_d0b5868a-d6d9-4c3e-98d8-9b47b481b2ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_629a7df2-b34f-4a2c-a048-628884dd280b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_d0b5868a-d6d9-4c3e-98d8-9b47b481b2ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a" 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_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a_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_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" 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_497bd3d7-3be2-455b-a4db-09769cc9a07a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_GrowMember_1f4b2bcd-6bce-4fdd-9f10-dd469b9b636b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_GrowMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_GrowMember_1f4b2bcd-6bce-4fdd-9f10-dd469b9b636b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_NurtureMember_179635dc-886b-47c6-9473-afd93cf5b2c4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_NurtureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_NurtureMember_179635dc-886b-47c6-9473-afd93cf5b2c4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_HarvestMember_deee7de5-9beb-4be8-b6e9-0085e267ae76" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_HarvestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_HarvestMember_deee7de5-9beb-4be8-b6e9-0085e267ae76" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherMember_5235cedd-6f36-45ba-b726-4045d4891bad" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherMember_5235cedd-6f36-45ba-b726-4045d4891bad" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FiberBroadbandMember_b247fbff-0d7d-461a-be0b-5dfa2d95cee3" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FiberBroadbandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FiberBroadbandMember_b247fbff-0d7d-461a-be0b-5dfa2d95cee3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherBroadbandMember_b88999f0-717c-499b-9e7e-4f8fe748ec06" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherBroadbandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherBroadbandMember_b88999f0-717c-499b-9e7e-4f8fe748ec06" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_VoiceAndOtherMember_e141a4cb-3d42-4384-8a98-4a11b1ad1d35" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_VoiceAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_ac7a530f-552a-4b61-95a8-9443f55b06e6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_VoiceAndOtherMember_e141a4cb-3d42-4384-8a98-4a11b1ad1d35" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_2c6039b1-c128-49c5-bdea-87ce9f835574" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_LargeEnterpriseMember_7105bdac-ca7c-4f0f-aab7-82fb89dd1241" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_LargeEnterpriseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_LargeEnterpriseMember_7105bdac-ca7c-4f0f-aab7-82fb89dd1241" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MidMarketEnterpriseMember_b41e4ae1-5eca-4902-aaff-efdd8613487a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MidMarketEnterpriseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MidMarketEnterpriseMember_b41e4ae1-5eca-4902-aaff-efdd8613487a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PublicSectorMember_48fb39d8-f1d3-4773-9ce1-aec7a95a026a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PublicSectorMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PublicSectorMember_48fb39d8-f1d3-4773-9ce1-aec7a95a026a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_WholesaleMember_30cba8eb-21de-4360-9dc5-1c94aaa5c4f7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_WholesaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_WholesaleMember_30cba8eb-21de-4360-9dc5-1c94aaa5c4f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_InternationalAndOtherMember_47db8e58-1874-493e-88f9-afdd1c7ed159" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_InternationalAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_a3192e46-8307-41e5-8878-68a5dc7fe5c9" xlink:to="loc_lumn_InternationalAndOtherMember_47db8e58-1874-493e-88f9-afdd1c7ed159" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_7376b501-b601-439a-a9d4-9213507d3ff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a6646687-73cd-45b6-9b58-e74a21e04107" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_3db7fc8c-107e-4f17-a20a-d44df6407f79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a6646687-73cd-45b6-9b58-e74a21e04107" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_e16b4f9f-79a6-458d-845d-12d3906fe262" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a6646687-73cd-45b6-9b58-e74a21e04107" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_e16b4f9f-79a6-458d-845d-12d3906fe262" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_3181608c-9a79-47a7-946f-f91c1689f9ae" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a6646687-73cd-45b6-9b58-e74a21e04107" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_3181608c-9a79-47a7-946f-f91c1689f9ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_65d0434f-055b-4202-958f-5bbd96af21fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_899c112b-2246-42a0-b666-4be5f95beccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_65d0434f-055b-4202-958f-5bbd96af21fa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer_7a76c3bd-3e20-407d-9ef9-04b6dc172365" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_899c112b-2246-42a0-b666-4be5f95beccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueNotFromContractWithCustomer_7a76c3bd-3e20-407d-9ef9-04b6dc172365" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_3f6fa5ef-0172-4a75-9d41-c49a7170b314" 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_899c112b-2246-42a0-b666-4be5f95beccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_3f6fa5ef-0172-4a75-9d41-c49a7170b314" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_c83e130e-50b7-419c-98bc-b97a1dc46836" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_c83e130e-50b7-419c-98bc-b97a1dc46836" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212" 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_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_c83e130e-50b7-419c-98bc-b97a1dc46836" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212_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_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_e4877aaa-8ca0-4ea8-bb52-6d1aa74c7af5" 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_21567aca-40a0-4a1c-bc6a-14ebbfac4212" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_e4877aaa-8ca0-4ea8-bb52-6d1aa74c7af5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d0531912-bc47-4943-a439-dde7c6d5b1eb" 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_e4877aaa-8ca0-4ea8-bb52-6d1aa74c7af5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d0531912-bc47-4943-a439-dde7c6d5b1eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_1d4cb685-940f-4525-b494-aadf1bb9d48d" 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_e4877aaa-8ca0-4ea8-bb52-6d1aa74c7af5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_1d4cb685-940f-4525-b494-aadf1bb9d48d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_c1ad8a77-6512-4360-a987-0e319a871f8f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_WeightedAverageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_e4877aaa-8ca0-4ea8-bb52-6d1aa74c7af5" xlink:to="loc_srt_WeightedAverageMember_c1ad8a77-6512-4360-a987-0e319a871f8f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_c83e130e-50b7-419c-98bc-b97a1dc46836" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_e39d5767-9ab1-4c86-a635-e5c87971088b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_2121dee4-efa6-483a-b244-9aba081808d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_e39d5767-9ab1-4c86-a635-e5c87971088b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MassMarketCustomersMember_e221ea4d-7015-4c25-8d1c-748f1952f552" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MassMarketCustomersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_e39d5767-9ab1-4c86-a635-e5c87971088b" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MassMarketCustomersMember_e221ea4d-7015-4c25-8d1c-748f1952f552" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessCustomerMember_917b7801-e435-431f-940e-8a2bba3aac51" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_e39d5767-9ab1-4c86-a635-e5c87971088b" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessCustomerMember_917b7801-e435-431f-940e-8a2bba3aac51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseIncomeComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList_d36b8509-55e4-4d8f-a3bd-cf4485f19bf0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseIncomeComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseIncomeComprehensiveIncomeExtensibleList_d36b8509-55e4-4d8f-a3bd-cf4485f19bf0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_364e4639-33f2-4ac2-aa35-20e40eea56bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncome_364e4639-33f2-4ac2-aa35-20e40eea56bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomePercentOfOperatingRevenue_efc2ef9a-fe53-446f-b5b6-bb7043358988" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomePercentOfOperatingRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OperatingLeaseLeaseIncomePercentOfOperatingRevenue_efc2ef9a-fe53-446f-b5b6-bb7043358988" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerContractTerm_dc857b89-1350-486d-bee2-8313406ba2c7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerContractTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerContractTerm_dc857b89-1350-486d-bee2-8313406ba2c7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_cd863ddc-9107-4bc0-818c-ef8a5df10318" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_cd863ddc-9107-4bc0-818c-ef8a5df10318" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_d76074e1-91f5-44d1-888c-64ab55ae247c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_d76074e1-91f5-44d1-888c-64ab55ae247c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLengthOfCustomerLife_947d1ef6-a167-49a0-9aeb-bc895deb363d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLengthOfCustomerLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_69645dd9-6754-4e59-b9c7-382ad375c813" xlink:to="loc_lumn_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerLengthOfCustomerLife_947d1ef6-a167-49a0-9aeb-bc895deb363d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8e576b7d-36e9-4dfd-9f05-bfcdcc03ae51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8e576b7d-36e9-4dfd-9f05-bfcdcc03ae51" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_fe8f8a15-ef15-495f-9988-2cc56c2cc6c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8e576b7d-36e9-4dfd-9f05-bfcdcc03ae51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_fe8f8a15-ef15-495f-9988-2cc56c2cc6c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_ac057a99-070e-420c-8da9-6301e502163f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_ac057a99-070e-420c-8da9-6301e502163f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_569febee-2803-4f2b-a0be-02460923f8ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_569febee-2803-4f2b-a0be-02460923f8ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRemainingPerformanceObligationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8e576b7d-36e9-4dfd-9f05-bfcdcc03ae51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8e576b7d-36e9-4dfd-9f05-bfcdcc03ae51" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_ac057a99-070e-420c-8da9-6301e502163f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_ac057a99-070e-420c-8da9-6301e502163f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_569febee-2803-4f2b-a0be-02460923f8ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_865d1046-b911-432c-9acf-acca7d1db924" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_569febee-2803-4f2b-a0be-02460923f8ce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionCapitalizedContractCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#RevenueRecognitionCapitalizedContractCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/RevenueRecognitionCapitalizedContractCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostLineItems_283613c7-0d82-4e88-a270-aa1898123c4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostTable_121669fc-2aab-4857-977f-d4659710d957" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostLineItems_283613c7-0d82-4e88-a270-aa1898123c4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostTable_121669fc-2aab-4857-977f-d4659710d957" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostTable_121669fc-2aab-4857-977f-d4659710d957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_bdcbc93d-c4b4-4395-ae20-3ac09c54219e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_f6c104e2-f354-4953-a98c-e5fe0a015e2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_bdcbc93d-c4b4-4395-ae20-3ac09c54219e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember_179425eb-21d6-4377-8ece-b1a610ce70df" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_bdcbc93d-c4b4-4395-ae20-3ac09c54219e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember_179425eb-21d6-4377-8ece-b1a610ce70df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember_bc5caf16-00d6-4f07-97c9-dd2bf76b2eda" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_bdcbc93d-c4b4-4395-ae20-3ac09c54219e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember_bc5caf16-00d6-4f07-97c9-dd2bf76b2eda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostTable_121669fc-2aab-4857-977f-d4659710d957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_5b365f3c-6562-4238-99cb-c9b03816cedf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_2ccc9e96-ba56-420a-af78-1f1e7e54e222" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_5b365f3c-6562-4238-99cb-c9b03816cedf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_d014c726-43b1-448b-bb5a-192db274c13f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_5b365f3c-6562-4238-99cb-c9b03816cedf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDiscontinuedOperationsMember_d014c726-43b1-448b-bb5a-192db274c13f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3" 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_CapitalizedContractCostTable_121669fc-2aab-4857-977f-d4659710d957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3_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_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c50fc82-7fd2-4e59-abed-86743d9cc3ff" 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_ae1354e7-860a-42bc-8bfb-b9c8d8be7ea3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c50fc82-7fd2-4e59-abed-86743d9cc3ff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_EMEABusinessMember_a6319e5a-95e5-4469-bc4d-cfe2e79c3302" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_EMEABusinessMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_6c50fc82-7fd2-4e59-abed-86743d9cc3ff" xlink:to="loc_lumn_EMEABusinessMember_a6319e5a-95e5-4469-bc4d-cfe2e79c3302" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostLineItems_283613c7-0d82-4e88-a270-aa1898123c4c" xlink:to="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet_f930f0ad-ce3b-478d-a008-58ca6391481c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet_f930f0ad-ce3b-478d-a008-58ca6391481c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostIncurred_de68ecb2-dce0-4c9a-9866-307830d7a28e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_CapitalizedContractCostIncurred"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostIncurred_de68ecb2-dce0-4c9a-9866-307830d7a28e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_7229f846-f5ed-460c-9e39-d526d94684c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_7229f846-f5ed-460c-9e39-d526d94684c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostChangeInContractCostsHeldForSale_963beecd-e6b5-463b-92ec-f43a8f256ea7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_CapitalizedContractCostChangeInContractCostsHeldForSale"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostRollForward_976d133a-5721-4147-8e2e-3f475758d21e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostChangeInContractCostsHeldForSale_963beecd-e6b5-463b-92ec-f43a8f256ea7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet_e77af712-9b3f-45a4-b2c7-a486c72aa834" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostReclassification_0c225d81-3032-4d1a-9b0f-1d648bb9088d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_CapitalizedContractCostReclassification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostLineItems_283613c7-0d82-4e88-a270-aa1898123c4c" xlink:to="loc_lumn_CapitalizedContractCostReclassification_0c225d81-3032-4d1a-9b0f-1d648bb9088d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/CreditLossesonFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#CreditLossesonFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/CreditLossesonFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_ec188c02-c4d9-4d7d-9477-b2cfa4368567" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_0c2392a5-5169-44ce-8008-515b55cec3a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_ec188c02-c4d9-4d7d-9477-b2cfa4368567" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_0c2392a5-5169-44ce-8008-515b55cec3a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_0c2392a5-5169-44ce-8008-515b55cec3a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ace85164-f3f0-45d4-a57c-3e7eaf6727e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7403de7f-c6c4-42ec-b994-28508712640f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ace85164-f3f0-45d4-a57c-3e7eaf6727e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_8272b822-0464-4718-9ef1-23978d168cbd" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ace85164-f3f0-45d4-a57c-3e7eaf6727e2" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_8272b822-0464-4718-9ef1-23978d168cbd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_972cdd71-2ca5-4dd1-8949-2fb1018a62bd" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ace85164-f3f0-45d4-a57c-3e7eaf6727e2" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_972cdd71-2ca5-4dd1-8949-2fb1018a62bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_ec188c02-c4d9-4d7d-9477-b2cfa4368567" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_378902ed-bbdd-4e9f-90a7-d3a2f83a9f8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_378902ed-bbdd-4e9f-90a7-d3a2f83a9f8d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_7b2f9651-a31b-46bb-9f60-d7af7c35e958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed_7b2f9651-a31b-46bb-9f60-d7af7c35e958" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs_e0ce832c-1310-4c21-af30-cb0300ab63d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs_e0ce832c-1310-4c21-af30-cb0300ab63d1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_846a7f56-d1fa-488a-b5e7-fb6e9f6bbfc1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRollForward_52f825a7-f213-49f0-bbc8-f02ea129398e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_846a7f56-d1fa-488a-b5e7-fb6e9f6bbfc1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_34f86888-27c4-4dcb-9b36-c62086025849" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c_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_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" 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_9c17e597-fe6f-41f6-b1d6-54795563908c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_bea1edb2-047c-43aa-957a-779bd95151b6" 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_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_bea1edb2-047c-43aa-957a-779bd95151b6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_38752506-8854-4f45-877c-f2667d178831" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_38752506-8854-4f45-877c-f2667d178831" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_610da66f-a3a8-4b12-9824-3369730952a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_610da66f-a3a8-4b12-9824-3369730952a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember_2e42a274-64b9-4fa3-9161-90f84f2f446b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_68aa2418-d5f7-4b12-bc8f-a77961042afe" xlink:to="loc_lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember_2e42a274-64b9-4fa3-9161-90f84f2f446b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83_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_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" 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_cce8a37c-3acd-422d-9162-fa2eb6a7ca83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FirstLienNotesMember_fe59fdf9-5e22-44a5-8d58-d6bd605f7d48" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FirstLienNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FirstLienNotesMember_fe59fdf9-5e22-44a5-8d58-d6bd605f7d48" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member_788097df-175d-458c-b112-7212ecde635d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member_788097df-175d-458c-b112-7212ecde635d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1aba9adf-31ce-4c7e-b6a1-c96aa9f78faa" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember_1aba9adf-31ce-4c7e-b6a1-c96aa9f78faa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_84fcb763-d0e4-4fed-b1c0-1f78444eec9a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_84fcb763-d0e4-4fed-b1c0-1f78444eec9a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_8b4685e2-f80a-4424-875f-ce52b7755a9f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_8b4685e2-f80a-4424-875f-ce52b7755a9f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_5a72bdac-6cfd-45d7-819a-9cb463759e77" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_5a72bdac-6cfd-45d7-819a-9cb463759e77" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_5c4d082e-71d2-4547-aa8e-c93181e9ea4d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_5c4d082e-71d2-4547-aa8e-c93181e9ea4d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_30035c4f-e05f-40a7-8925-8d5ef8fc2457" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_30035c4f-e05f-40a7-8925-8d5ef8fc2457" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_910bad50-7621-4930-b905-6dfe99f98cae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_910bad50-7621-4930-b905-6dfe99f98cae" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_UncommittedRevolvingLetterofCreditFacilityMember_570c1d84-7281-45db-abe8-d13c6ace7418" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_UncommittedRevolvingLetterofCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_UncommittedRevolvingLetterofCreditFacilityMember_570c1d84-7281-45db-abe8-d13c6ace7418" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember_7a428276-eba2-49a4-bb9b-7906f3735ad9" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember_7a428276-eba2-49a4-bb9b-7906f3735ad9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SuperprioritySecuredTermLoanFacilityMember_b73e607d-036b-40f5-a028-0c9754ed967e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SuperprioritySecuredTermLoanFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SuperprioritySecuredTermLoanFacilityMember_b73e607d-036b-40f5-a028-0c9754ed967e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember_473fe1e5-af46-4522-ab95-805e0c9942d0" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember_473fe1e5-af46-4522-ab95-805e0c9942d0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SuperpriorityTermLoanBMember_1a4e5767-a1f3-4ea0-a35b-f1cd0bbac25c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SuperpriorityTermLoanBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_d1e7cc50-7d8e-4c18-b94c-6d1bf59ac596" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SuperpriorityTermLoanBMember_1a4e5767-a1f3-4ea0-a35b-f1cd0bbac25c" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f_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_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_43cb7387-2ae7-4a37-bfae-cf6df9b489c0" 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_c6baaeea-7586-43bd-afa9-1868d4e6b46f" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_43cb7387-2ae7-4a37-bfae-cf6df9b489c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_62a029a9-0a03-470e-a370-80ae30a5c53b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_43cb7387-2ae7-4a37-bfae-cf6df9b489c0" xlink:to="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_62a029a9-0a03-470e-a370-80ae30a5c53b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126_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_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d86110e3-b1da-4940-ac60-e839a8426dd5" 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_a5b806c6-89b5-4d4f-9f99-72d64ac3b126" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d86110e3-b1da-4940-ac60-e839a8426dd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_f022c2e3-d508-4a67-82b4-edd5d2ba2942" 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_d86110e3-b1da-4940-ac60-e839a8426dd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_f022c2e3-d508-4a67-82b4-edd5d2ba2942" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_0a5e8ad1-0964-4631-9c35-e9f841d8cdac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d86110e3-b1da-4940-ac60-e839a8426dd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_0a5e8ad1-0964-4631-9c35-e9f841d8cdac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4_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_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_530d99b9-2725-4c6f-b727-e7a483e93abe" 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_d346f81d-2f6e-429d-9f85-99f5a126abe4" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_530d99b9-2725-4c6f-b727-e7a483e93abe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_dcb37599-a3fb-489d-9b4b-7e69ae72070f" 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_530d99b9-2725-4c6f-b727-e7a483e93abe" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_dcb37599-a3fb-489d-9b4b-7e69ae72070f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_610480a0-e70f-4c80-a836-25a7e0e9f6d4" 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_530d99b9-2725-4c6f-b727-e7a483e93abe" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_610480a0-e70f-4c80-a836-25a7e0e9f6d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_41d4d400-2f37-46f9-a942-f230131244c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_57fec845-04c6-499e-b7da-69e73a830444" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_41d4d400-2f37-46f9-a942-f230131244c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_c3d19db9-6ff4-457c-b98e-1b2d1cb23ec4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_41d4d400-2f37-46f9-a942-f230131244c1" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_c3d19db9-6ff4-457c-b98e-1b2d1cb23ec4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_2c8fef98-67e0-4603-a0f3-fef36802137a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_41d4d400-2f37-46f9-a942-f230131244c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_2c8fef98-67e0-4603-a0f3-fef36802137a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_1d94adef-905b-4d4e-b2a0-2fccdccdd843" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_48b6e457-a92e-4de7-9599-03a9163bd4d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_1d94adef-905b-4d4e-b2a0-2fccdccdd843" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtMember_3ecc9ffd-dbf2-4f9e-92c9-b11410e6a0ea" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_1d94adef-905b-4d4e-b2a0-2fccdccdd843" xlink:to="loc_lumn_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtMember_3ecc9ffd-dbf2-4f9e-92c9-b11410e6a0ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_ce356bd2-5f9e-44df-94fc-1c0e25de6ee4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_1d94adef-905b-4d4e-b2a0-2fccdccdd843" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpenseMember_ce356bd2-5f9e-44df-94fc-1c0e25de6ee4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodAxis_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodAxis_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd_default" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodAxis_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_9b6f9017-b486-4285-8d74-46267b246e56" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodAxis_8f33870f-8e32-4a1c-b80d-042e2acde5bd" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_9b6f9017-b486-4285-8d74-46267b246e56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PrepaidOnOrPriorToThe12MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember_42291001-4759-4fd3-a7ed-98555cca5dd0" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PrepaidOnOrPriorToThe12MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_9b6f9017-b486-4285-8d74-46267b246e56" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PrepaidOnOrPriorToThe12MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember_42291001-4759-4fd3-a7ed-98555cca5dd0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PrepaidAfterThe12MonthAnniversaryAndOnOrPriorToThe24MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember_d240f024-0097-4623-80e5-5bf40b51b326" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PrepaidAfterThe12MonthAnniversaryAndOnOrPriorToThe24MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPeriodDomain_9b6f9017-b486-4285-8d74-46267b246e56" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PrepaidAfterThe12MonthAnniversaryAndOnOrPriorToThe24MonthAnniversaryOfTheEffectiveDateMember_d240f024-0097-4623-80e5-5bf40b51b326" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_286a2a4c-89f8-45eb-b02b-623c08338681" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsByNatureAxis_0e7e3cca-e5e3-4cca-a857-b0e4b4ad6916" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_286a2a4c-89f8-45eb-b02b-623c08338681" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeMember_37bca44a-e5a4-4f55-b17f-ffd1903e24b1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsNatureDomain_286a2a4c-89f8-45eb-b02b-623c08338681" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeMember_37bca44a-e5a4-4f55-b17f-ffd1903e24b1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodAxis_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c62f7bbd-68f6-4db5-917a-ac9bb152842f" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodAxis_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288_default" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodAxis_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_8c25b5f1-ac24-424b-b169-c80ea75db451" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodAxis_ac92b5eb-38f4-4ff1-83aa-df59d031e288" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_8c25b5f1-ac24-424b-b169-c80ea75db451" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_LastDayOfEachFiscalQuarterMember_f629c05b-409b-4b3e-92b1-0672ca1282a4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_LastDayOfEachFiscalQuarterMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_8c25b5f1-ac24-424b-b169-c80ea75db451" xlink:to="loc_lumn_LastDayOfEachFiscalQuarterMember_f629c05b-409b-4b3e-92b1-0672ca1282a4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312024Member_30cb562a-c5bc-4c48-9244-ed3b085fb351" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312024Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_8c25b5f1-ac24-424b-b169-c80ea75db451" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312024Member_30cb562a-c5bc-4c48-9244-ed3b085fb351" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312025Member_c1542e06-a555-4d32-a35b-e21bb3d4827a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312025Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantCompliancePeriodDomain_8c25b5f1-ac24-424b-b169-c80ea75db451" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FiscalQuarterEndingAfterDecember312025Member_c1542e06-a555-4d32-a35b-e21bb3d4827a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfAgreements_b11e3b64-278f-413d-992d-c3de5f9f12d1" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfAgreements_b11e3b64-278f-413d-992d-c3de5f9f12d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_85e0d068-89ca-42d1-ab2f-bc2bce3d729a" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_85e0d068-89ca-42d1-ab2f-bc2bce3d729a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_32c735d3-d45e-49bd-b571-e586317b1108" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt_32c735d3-d45e-49bd-b571-e586317b1108" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_22c0a1da-01ae-40eb-af2c-da4b71da8833" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_22c0a1da-01ae-40eb-af2c-da4b71da8833" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNoncashFees_948d12bb-b978-4630-b215-952d0e1ee62e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentNoncashFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNoncashFees_948d12bb-b978-4630-b215-952d0e1ee62e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet_42acc190-ba3b-4d97-b82e-bf3d3aa272b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIncreaseDecreaseForPeriodNet_42acc190-ba3b-4d97-b82e-bf3d3aa272b4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_c5051299-382b-4fb3-be7f-f2228475a454" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_c5051299-382b-4fb3-be7f-f2228475a454" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_5b2597b0-8652-47cd-9168-176654060af7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_5b2597b0-8652-47cd-9168-176654060af7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_d400555e-ef8e-4aa2-8f67-fb1de6249dbf" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit_d400555e-ef8e-4aa2-8f67-fb1de6249dbf" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_ae737a61-8655-4b15-9904-210b9dd666f8" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_ae737a61-8655-4b15-9904-210b9dd666f8" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtExtinguishmentReductionInDebtAmount_d2c9da37-3873-4a59-b170-a728d3195caf" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtExtinguishmentReductionInDebtAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtExtinguishmentReductionInDebtAmount_d2c9da37-3873-4a59-b170-a728d3195caf" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_f2a51210-14be-4058-8b83-4d82c6a2633a" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_f2a51210-14be-4058-8b83-4d82c6a2633a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PaymentForLenderFees_bffacf49-73e3-4da4-a037-3c46dd1d2fc7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PaymentForLenderFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PaymentForLenderFees_bffacf49-73e3-4da4-a037-3c46dd1d2fc7" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PaymentForThirdPartyCosts_130262f4-eb3c-47d9-80f1-b904f2c9bdec" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PaymentForThirdPartyCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PaymentForThirdPartyCosts_130262f4-eb3c-47d9-80f1-b904f2c9bdec" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentLenderFees_78c97098-5f1b-4d72-8e59-d50acd66ddb9" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentLenderFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentLenderFees_78c97098-5f1b-4d72-8e59-d50acd66ddb9" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentThirdPartyCosts_bee55b31-0857-4c2c-a146-3f5cc29536f9" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentThirdPartyCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentThirdPartyCosts_bee55b31-0857-4c2c-a146-3f5cc29536f9" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedLenderFees_f4cfd9b1-c0c1-403d-b4d5-9311a519133b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedLenderFees"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedLenderFees_f4cfd9b1-c0c1-403d-b4d5-9311a519133b" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedThirdPartyCosts_af32610d-d924-44cd-960c-704e58e8b116" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedThirdPartyCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCapitalizedThirdPartyCosts_af32610d-d924-44cd-960c-704e58e8b116" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor_bc591e58-27c6-4498-bfb3-f2de80aa5293" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentInterestRateFloor_bc591e58-27c6-4498-bfb3-f2de80aa5293" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_ef6949ad-f3d8-492a-8dbb-575af57669ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_ef6949ad-f3d8-492a-8dbb-575af57669ae" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercent_58007a7e-cb84-450d-9f2b-827431942cd6" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPercent_58007a7e-cb84-450d-9f2b-827431942cd6" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c587ce9e-dfa0-49ff-b307-87e98913a81d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_c587ce9e-dfa0-49ff-b307-87e98913a81d" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremiumRate_34dead22-9549-4e1f-8abb-b3984fd6dc77" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremiumRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentPrepaymentPremiumRate_34dead22-9549-4e1f-8abb-b3984fd6dc77" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_d9742e41-9aa6-4cf8-8c95-2c6b8f779e8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure_d9742e41-9aa6-4cf8-8c95-2c6b8f779e8d" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum_0de6856d-9fc9-430e-b1be-8cc182ae9893" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatioMaximum_0de6856d-9fc9-430e-b1be-8cc182ae9893" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatio_bc050baf-492b-4a01-83eb-32ef55cfdaf8" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatio_bc050baf-492b-4a01-83eb-32ef55cfdaf8" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfIndentures_838868eb-8728-4428-9001-d06ac0ce7fd4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfIndentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DebtInstrumentNumberOfIndentures_838868eb-8728-4428-9001-d06ac0ce7fd4" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_76ec0663-cdd6-44ba-8993-a22ba514fcd6" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_65f3c1ce-91b1-43cb-a8d8-24bca1f6a6b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage_76ec0663-cdd6-44ba-8993-a22ba514fcd6" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29_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_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" 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_e6e0951c-3971-43d8-b91f-a13379e36a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember_042acc33-ab1f-4cff-816f-f2584ad0bad2" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeriesARevolvingCreditFacilityMember_042acc33-ab1f-4cff-816f-f2584ad0bad2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_e836b81d-1ea3-41a6-a357-f9552952c56c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeriesBRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_e836b81d-1ea3-41a6-a357-f9552952c56c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_2a3e34bb-7fc3-4e2f-b744-85d3a5091e23" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_2a3e34bb-7fc3-4e2f-b744-85d3a5091e23" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_d6cbb32c-4259-47a2-8328-e150d99b4564" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_d6cbb32c-4259-47a2-8328-e150d99b4564" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_494d4105-7bc9-4004-b441-13ed4bc3dc39" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_494d4105-7bc9-4004-b441-13ed4bc3dc39" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_b7c54d8b-d025-41f2-ba0a-27d596027555" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_b7c54d8b-d025-41f2-ba0a-27d596027555" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember_eeaa169b-24a4-42b8-9efb-9ae9d1a0a71b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherFacilitiesMember_eeaa169b-24a4-42b8-9efb-9ae9d1a0a71b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member_29469ddf-196d-4e7f-bded-ceeb9a462f3e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member_29469ddf-196d-4e7f-bded-ceeb9a462f3e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member_24fb6575-1b3f-4677-a522-07a54cf23e14" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorSecuredNotesDue2027Member_24fb6575-1b3f-4677-a522-07a54cf23e14" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember_dc5d9206-d214-47fa-9660-043242a66440" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TrancheB2027TermLoanMember_dc5d9206-d214-47fa-9660-043242a66440" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FirstLienNotesMember_9fe864ab-c1bc-463b-b53c-a31f928c97ec" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FirstLienNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FirstLienNotesMember_9fe864ab-c1bc-463b-b53c-a31f928c97ec" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SecondLienNotesMember_006014fd-516f-470b-b56c-9cd69b949f40" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SecondLienNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SecondLienNotesMember_006014fd-516f-470b-b56c-9cd69b949f40" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.400To3.875SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member_adeb03bf-065d-46a4-8787-c702c3d0c991" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.400To3.875SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.400To3.875SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member_adeb03bf-065d-46a4-8787-c702c3d0c991" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252042Member_b1794a4c-71b0-40de-b7ff-608520aa5991" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252042Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252042Member_b1794a4c-71b0-40de-b7ff-608520aa5991" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member_45f983d0-b47d-4474-b42f-36a23d0c22e4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20272029Member_45f983d0-b47d-4474-b42f-36a23d0c22e4" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252057Member_ee3e9458-4090-4874-be6f-631b63a64232" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252057Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20252057Member_ee3e9458-4090-4874-be6f-631b63a64232" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20282031Member_fbdbbaf8-481b-4c37-8284-0efb8997d27a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20282031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SeniorNotesMaturing20282031Member_fbdbbaf8-481b-4c37-8284-0efb8997d27a" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanA1Member_cd7df15c-35f3-49b2-a1d9-90e5f4cc4a33" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanA1Member_cd7df15c-35f3-49b2-a1d9-90e5f4cc4a33" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6a252d3-6661-41c3-ab81-c971c6a35d97" 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_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_a6a252d3-6661-41c3-ab81-c971c6a35d97" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A10500SeniorSecuredNotesDue2030Member_5cac9c51-aeca-4978-ad18-ea3b3ad6a59c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A10500SeniorSecuredNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a0ec2349-b14d-495e-bd12-7a294bdd97b5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A10500SeniorSecuredNotesDue2030Member_5cac9c51-aeca-4978-ad18-ea3b3ad6a59c" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5_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_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" 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_cd8dc32e-13e4-460f-8140-21d0c00edaa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_e386fa75-9c19-4788-a1b9-4dbc8ab7b629" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_e386fa75-9c19-4788-a1b9-4dbc8ab7b629" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_28cceb88-96d4-4450-a6ba-5af3b54c32f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_28cceb88-96d4-4450-a6ba-5af3b54c32f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember_f4854ff8-95d5-4b9f-8696-e368950a4216" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" xlink:to="loc_lumn_LineOfCreditAndMediumTermNotesMember_f4854ff8-95d5-4b9f-8696-e368950a4216" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_ca3a1b1d-4aa5-412c-b3c7-163be35707b5" 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_04563205-45ba-47f6-9f00-3ff7a1738928" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_ca3a1b1d-4aa5-412c-b3c7-163be35707b5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_31016e61-54be-4d50-b734-986d0de70bde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_acbeb460-04ae-4119-88be-921c364c9c59" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_31016e61-54be-4d50-b734-986d0de70bde" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_b2ad4853-4b4b-46fe-9732-598d4d4581e1" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_31016e61-54be-4d50-b734-986d0de70bde" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_b2ad4853-4b4b-46fe-9732-598d4d4581e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009_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_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3a9300b4-fcc6-467c-95e6-94b2c425ad12" 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_a50aa9ef-6a29-4517-a34c-e0e4f1aeb009" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3a9300b4-fcc6-467c-95e6-94b2c425ad12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_f147e2d1-f24e-4cae-b624-4bf352281007" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3a9300b4-fcc6-467c-95e6-94b2c425ad12" xlink:to="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_f147e2d1-f24e-4cae-b624-4bf352281007" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_QwestCorporationMember_8863b506-f330-4551-8df6-a1de4c6c0c0e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_QwestCorporationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3a9300b4-fcc6-467c-95e6-94b2c425ad12" xlink:to="loc_lumn_QwestCorporationMember_8863b506-f330-4551-8df6-a1de4c6c0c0e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_QwestCapitalFundingIncMember_d0eb5745-c4cf-44e1-96f2-6292dbc8fd4c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_QwestCapitalFundingIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_3a9300b4-fcc6-467c-95e6-94b2c425ad12" xlink:to="loc_lumn_QwestCapitalFundingIncMember_d0eb5745-c4cf-44e1-96f2-6292dbc8fd4c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_deb31d9a-79e8-4512-9086-1ad1c0783957" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2_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_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_f57e74c7-b237-44fc-8f9c-303ca143443f" 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_3e83b26f-fa36-4e69-aa22-68b498910fd2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_f57e74c7-b237-44fc-8f9c-303ca143443f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_0040694e-1e26-4f1a-aa76-ea1dbc42c589" 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_f57e74c7-b237-44fc-8f9c-303ca143443f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_0040694e-1e26-4f1a-aa76-ea1dbc42c589" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d8e3db5c-99e4-4185-ab56-4b7daebb5632" 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_f57e74c7-b237-44fc-8f9c-303ca143443f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_d8e3db5c-99e4-4185-ab56-4b7daebb5632" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_6d3525c4-234e-4838-b128-9986e93b7c12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_6d3525c4-234e-4838-b128-9986e93b7c12" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_946d3cac-a5e9-4ec2-904b-952080d720d5" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_946d3cac-a5e9-4ec2-904b-952080d720d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_5d3ba890-fa34-4ef3-89f7-cc08a10c5f49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_5d3ba890-fa34-4ef3-89f7-cc08a10c5f49" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_FinanceLeaseAndOtherObligations_137d276e-c12c-4429-a19a-25765b8ceb85" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_FinanceLeaseAndOtherObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_lumn_FinanceLeaseAndOtherObligations_137d276e-c12c-4429-a19a-25765b8ceb85" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_e3c1859e-28c4-4bd7-bf8e-e51ee95e60b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumNet_e3c1859e-28c4-4bd7-bf8e-e51ee95e60b5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_fa2e2bb3-f746-46a1-9af1-0b1d284be441" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_fa2e2bb3-f746-46a1-9af1-0b1d284be441" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_860f2e7d-25bb-41a9-9f41-dee0e018bb06" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_860f2e7d-25bb-41a9-9f41-dee0e018bb06" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_f4834f88-9ada-4474-b2ab-c8c0827d2ac0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_f4834f88-9ada-4474-b2ab-c8c0827d2ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_1bdfebb2-80f3-4c3d-8ece-a797f880c708" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_1bdfebb2-80f3-4c3d-8ece-a797f880c708" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_1b07425f-6cbf-4556-8a9f-5bc7969fb0dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d1a5af6f-7270-423b-ae24-056039aaf2c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_1b07425f-6cbf-4556-8a9f-5bc7969fb0dc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesRepaymentsandExchangesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesRepaymentsandExchangesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesRepaymentsandExchangesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_59c08a3a-1361-4800-b256-92a1d9b46408" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_87426a6e-1c3f-4220-9d67-3cc023f99372" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_59c08a3a-1361-4800-b256-92a1d9b46408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_87426a6e-1c3f-4220-9d67-3cc023f99372" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_87426a6e-1c3f-4220-9d67-3cc023f99372" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07_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_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4b303067-c5f9-45b7-94c5-428ae23ac421" 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_80c90cbc-4a14-4224-a1ae-caca2b8a7f07" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4b303067-c5f9-45b7-94c5-428ae23ac421" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_c942d72d-113a-47c1-b477-63738430b5ff" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4b303067-c5f9-45b7-94c5-428ae23ac421" xlink:to="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_c942d72d-113a-47c1-b477-63738430b5ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_QwestCorporationMember_553bc36c-0b01-485b-8f27-b31bc6616f8c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_QwestCorporationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_4b303067-c5f9-45b7-94c5-428ae23ac421" xlink:to="loc_lumn_QwestCorporationMember_553bc36c-0b01-485b-8f27-b31bc6616f8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_87426a6e-1c3f-4220-9d67-3cc023f99372" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_81a4ec4c-917f-4670-97e5-6c77ff0b9476" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAxis_bb71cd18-33b9-4238-a83c-ddf9652f0198" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_81a4ec4c-917f-4670-97e5-6c77ff0b9476" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_78410910-5e60-405c-b8c4-b8f96abccb47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_81a4ec4c-917f-4670-97e5-6c77ff0b9476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_78410910-5e60-405c-b8c4-b8f96abccb47" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72b97039-ec86-41c7-b82b-b4c79e57f426" 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_ExtinguishmentOfDebtTypeDomain_81a4ec4c-917f-4670-97e5-6c77ff0b9476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_72b97039-ec86-41c7-b82b-b4c79e57f426" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_87426a6e-1c3f-4220-9d67-3cc023f99372" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477_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_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" 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_34fdabbe-e823-4ce7-ae5e-c4bd0f049477" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_e2b93209-68fe-4ec0-9d1b-77727a9ec982" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_e2b93209-68fe-4ec0-9d1b-77727a9ec982" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanA1Member_68c71257-69a4-47a2-9268-21e99686959c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanA1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanA1Member_68c71257-69a4-47a2-9268-21e99686959c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_e42b88bd-dda5-4003-a0d3-a3433e14baaf" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_e42b88bd-dda5-4003-a0d3-a3433e14baaf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A5.125SeniorNotesDue2026Member_6d7749b8-755c-44e1-a390-01940f5ec778" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A5.125SeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A5.125SeniorNotesDue2026Member_6d7749b8-755c-44e1-a390-01940f5ec778" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorNotesDue2027Member_ae3eb66b-dbe2-481a-ab31-4aea2082ceea" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.000SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.000SeniorNotesDue2027Member_ae3eb66b-dbe2-481a-ab31-4aea2082ceea" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.400SeniorNotesDue2027Member_4059f6bb-9207-4338-8442-f49255fc1607" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.400SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.400SeniorNotesDue2027Member_4059f6bb-9207-4338-8442-f49255fc1607" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_e3ae5ada-7e50-4e0f-8c23-0262146fbea3" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.875SeniorNotesDue2029Member_e3ae5ada-7e50-4e0f-8c23-0262146fbea3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_61f0d1ae-476c-40c9-a1b8-7a39cb725fee" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.625SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_61f0d1ae-476c-40c9-a1b8-7a39cb725fee" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.250SeniorNotesDue2028Member_8a0da52d-eeab-48c9-afa3-e901e26de0db" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.250SeniorNotesDue2028Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.250SeniorNotesDue2028Member_8a0da52d-eeab-48c9-afa3-e901e26de0db" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.625SeniorNotesDue2029Member_daa8a685-c8c8-40e1-9477-2ee42caa0dac" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.625SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.625SeniorNotesDue2029Member_daa8a685-c8c8-40e1-9477-2ee42caa0dac" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.750SeniorNotesDue2029Member_08c251e3-2c0f-4c83-8b2e-232d19db2269" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.750SeniorNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7f233ab3-852f-4aa5-9b68-1b44245293cf" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.750SeniorNotesDue2029Member_08c251e3-2c0f-4c83-8b2e-232d19db2269" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5e5d1e67-0fcd-447c-87ec-ba087dd0256e" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_59c08a3a-1361-4800-b256-92a1d9b46408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5e5d1e67-0fcd-447c-87ec-ba087dd0256e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_eca16bb7-f40c-4c10-9183-d5b0e28e2b59" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_59c08a3a-1361-4800-b256-92a1d9b46408" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt_eca16bb7-f40c-4c10-9183-d5b0e28e2b59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ExchangesOfDebt_2267ac2c-970f-45d3-9d2c-43dc8e6a547f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ExchangesOfDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_59c08a3a-1361-4800-b256-92a1d9b46408" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ExchangesOfDebt_2267ac2c-970f-45d3-9d2c-43dc8e6a547f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesDebtNewIssuancesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesDebtNewIssuancesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/LongTermDebtandCreditFacilitiesDebtNewIssuancesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8ea26bae-5ffb-4945-9c7e-840465a3244d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c9538a90-75fe-444b-971d-a8f2675a5c6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8ea26bae-5ffb-4945-9c7e-840465a3244d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c9538a90-75fe-444b-971d-a8f2675a5c6b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85" 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_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_c9538a90-75fe-444b-971d-a8f2675a5c6b" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85_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_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_02a7abe8-882e-47cf-a2b6-643e92ba01a0" 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_6aebf29b-3302-4f42-8591-c83eb86fbb85" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_02a7abe8-882e-47cf-a2b6-643e92ba01a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_ce557db8-20ec-45f0-a6dc-58312697460f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_02a7abe8-882e-47cf-a2b6-643e92ba01a0" xlink:to="loc_lumn_Level3FinancingInc.Member_ce557db8-20ec-45f0-a6dc-58312697460f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c9538a90-75fe-444b-971d-a8f2675a5c6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe_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_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" 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_47e03db7-74c6-4f43-8ac3-9611317591fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_9131a9a1-6704-4e5b-8090-c1bec4280db4" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanAMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanAMember_9131a9a1-6704-4e5b-8090-c1bec4280db4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_f0194b74-a25f-4d49-bc5f-f4a28705c771" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB1Member_f0194b74-a25f-4d49-bc5f-f4a28705c771" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_68012072-e94a-4b11-a200-3812d444348b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanB2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanB2Member_68012072-e94a-4b11-a200-3812d444348b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member_385ad603-9c39-4ccb-aebc-f6cfbb17496e" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.125SuperpriorityNotesDue20292030Member_385ad603-9c39-4ccb-aebc-f6cfbb17496e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A10.500FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_219b8443-d88a-4a84-a023-9ef7aa13aef3" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A10.500FirstLienNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A10.500FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_219b8443-d88a-4a84-a023-9ef7aa13aef3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A10.750FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_8ba63911-d3d9-48b4-bd67-438fc4e0a7b0" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A10.750FirstLienNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A10.750FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_8ba63911-d3d9-48b4-bd67-438fc4e0a7b0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_d150d561-94c1-4ca4-9020-708dcbba4485" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029Member_d150d561-94c1-4ca4-9020-708dcbba4485" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029OneMember_a0d95996-bfe6-4ffb-a57d-877c951c1f6c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029OneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A11.000FirstLienNotesDue2029OneMember_a0d95996-bfe6-4ffb-a57d-877c951c1f6c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.875SecondLienNotesDue2029Member_2ad77b22-8e6d-4593-8018-b393bac8a471" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.875SecondLienNotesDue2029Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.875SecondLienNotesDue2029Member_2ad77b22-8e6d-4593-8018-b393bac8a471" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.500SecondLienNotesDue2030Member_abeb8813-8560-40cf-8397-599d698d2642" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.500SecondLienNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.500SecondLienNotesDue2030Member_abeb8813-8560-40cf-8397-599d698d2642" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A3.875SecondLienNotesDue2030Member_eb959866-da87-4009-9c18-403fac3ca74d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A3.875SecondLienNotesDue2030Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A3.875SecondLienNotesDue2030Member_eb959866-da87-4009-9c18-403fac3ca74d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_A4.000SecondLienNotesDue2031Member_0b2ec3e4-c475-4ffe-b1f8-4e1e55a0b7d0" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_A4.000SecondLienNotesDue2031Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_A4.000SecondLienNotesDue2031Member_0b2ec3e4-c475-4ffe-b1f8-4e1e55a0b7d0" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_c9ace8ce-f27e-4060-9ef3-ccb31e672f1d" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_TermLoanBMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_af2e0308-e102-496e-8a11-6a7ca5fd960e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_TermLoanBMember_c9ace8ce-f27e-4060-9ef3-ccb31e672f1d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734" 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_DebtInstrumentTable_c9538a90-75fe-444b-971d-a8f2675a5c6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734_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_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fb8258dd-be8f-4986-bc60-3e67556c9bae" 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_37090bd5-3138-4a59-94b2-b125ba846734" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fb8258dd-be8f-4986-bc60-3e67556c9bae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_1f614735-063e-4071-9d60-0864a94977b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fb8258dd-be8f-4986-bc60-3e67556c9bae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_1f614735-063e-4071-9d60-0864a94977b9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_d056d76c-953f-4d55-a9e0-d48c8570564e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fb8258dd-be8f-4986-bc60-3e67556c9bae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember_d056d76c-953f-4d55-a9e0-d48c8570564e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_c8cc54b6-da47-477d-8a89-72a5d4d8ea45" 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_fb8258dd-be8f-4986-bc60-3e67556c9bae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_c8cc54b6-da47-477d-8a89-72a5d4d8ea45" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_25ab4bbe-6c18-4414-98fb-d31e67d3c64f" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8ea26bae-5ffb-4945-9c7e-840465a3244d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_25ab4bbe-6c18-4414-98fb-d31e67d3c64f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_2fc88367-fbaf-42e9-a8b5-76e585f50d67" 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8ea26bae-5ffb-4945-9c7e-840465a3244d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_2fc88367-fbaf-42e9-a8b5-76e585f50d67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_9f793c70-c444-43fa-af20-4e34fb65b009" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_8ea26bae-5ffb-4945-9c7e-840465a3244d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPayment_9f793c70-c444-43fa-af20-4e34fb65b009" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/SeveranceAccruedLiabilitiesforSeveranceExpensesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#SeveranceAccruedLiabilitiesforSeveranceExpensesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/SeveranceAccruedLiabilitiesforSeveranceExpensesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_706edaef-3d48-4781-a69c-5756052ffa3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_49803500-a1d6-4d1b-b91b-b0426bdadac1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_706edaef-3d48-4781-a69c-5756052ffa3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_49803500-a1d6-4d1b-b91b-b0426bdadac1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_49803500-a1d6-4d1b-b91b-b0426bdadac1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_52b63b8a-8085-49c1-9643-bd01ba0852ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_67fa19f0-6e49-4aa7-a633-2c3d6587a390" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_52b63b8a-8085-49c1-9643-bd01ba0852ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_0d66553d-f38d-4add-a31b-7d99f4f45c8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_52b63b8a-8085-49c1-9643-bd01ba0852ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_0d66553d-f38d-4add-a31b-7d99f4f45c8b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3d08784a-e182-4fe5-af4d-e945aa72cfd3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_706edaef-3d48-4781-a69c-5756052ffa3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3d08784a-e182-4fe5-af4d-e945aa72cfd3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_f2fad702-392f-44f0-b5fa-530c3d70ded9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3d08784a-e182-4fe5-af4d-e945aa72cfd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_f2fad702-392f-44f0-b5fa-530c3d70ded9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_f1e64431-32f4-4e58-9c05-bff6459e4b1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3d08784a-e182-4fe5-af4d-e945aa72cfd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_f1e64431-32f4-4e58-9c05-bff6459e4b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_316639ea-dc9c-4e34-86a8-ae240be59cd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3d08784a-e182-4fe5-af4d-e945aa72cfd3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_316639ea-dc9c-4e34-86a8-ae240be59cd1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_ea3e59ee-bbf5-47c3-9d64-9e73acfcc1a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/SeveranceAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#SeveranceAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/SeveranceAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_629357c0-9757-4963-b245-ea2f9f8fcca5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_629357c0-9757-4963-b245-ea2f9f8fcca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c38dab7-bf86-4e9a-b745-79a448e2b122" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_71772177-da6c-47da-bd62-5423660ed04c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c38dab7-bf86-4e9a-b745-79a448e2b122" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_7bdd808c-a9ea-47e9-b4cf-08dc411ae6dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c38dab7-bf86-4e9a-b745-79a448e2b122" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_7bdd808c-a9ea-47e9-b4cf-08dc411ae6dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_d6d9bf95-4b91-4358-8ebf-4150cf46c354" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_09f63e8a-7520-45ca-ac32-1375f5ac8e94" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_d6d9bf95-4b91-4358-8ebf-4150cf46c354" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_WorkforceReductionMember_3b60a1ed-fad9-41cc-b4cb-ec5a7bf914c5" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_WorkforceReductionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_d6d9bf95-4b91-4358-8ebf-4150cf46c354" xlink:to="loc_lumn_WorkforceReductionMember_3b60a1ed-fad9-41cc-b4cb-ec5a7bf914c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28" 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_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28_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_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0bda958d-c5c0-4542-a6c5-b4ce857bf2d6" 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_1b4096da-d778-4d46-ac0e-45fb24fcdf28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_0bda958d-c5c0-4542-a6c5-b4ce857bf2d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_dca91ae5-7262-40e2-8517-c45420e740db" 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_0bda958d-c5c0-4542-a6c5-b4ce857bf2d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_dca91ae5-7262-40e2-8517-c45420e740db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2" 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_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_dab3f166-2f0b-4aa5-b331-2b7e6a8a4648" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2_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_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_864af632-bc5d-4c2d-978a-a18a8ff78c1a" 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_be8c64db-c554-4a77-9235-0d21ae58d1d2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_864af632-bc5d-4c2d-978a-a18a8ff78c1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3dfd7955-80dc-43a7-b9b1-b55fdb4d736d" 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_864af632-bc5d-4c2d-978a-a18a8ff78c1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3dfd7955-80dc-43a7-b9b1-b55fdb4d736d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b6204ca3-7e43-45e6-9c9b-5e754412afed" 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_864af632-bc5d-4c2d-978a-a18a8ff78c1a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_b6204ca3-7e43-45e6-9c9b-5e754412afed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_RestructuringAndRelatedCostPercentageOfPositionsToBeEliminated_2bcfe42f-4dc6-41d6-a1bc-2a09f0ba817c" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_RestructuringAndRelatedCostPercentageOfPositionsToBeEliminated"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_629357c0-9757-4963-b245-ea2f9f8fcca5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_RestructuringAndRelatedCostPercentageOfPositionsToBeEliminated_2bcfe42f-4dc6-41d6-a1bc-2a09f0ba817c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1_4e616fa5-27d9-4df1-b8c8-3c966fd761ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_629357c0-9757-4963-b245-ea2f9f8fcca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1_4e616fa5-27d9-4df1-b8c8-3c966fd761ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_ddea4171-19cd-482f-b9d9-f3e7ae2ffb32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_629357c0-9757-4963-b245-ea2f9f8fcca5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_ddea4171-19cd-482f-b9d9-f3e7ae2ffb32" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitIncomeExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#EmployeeBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitIncomeExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/EmployeeBenefitsNetPeriodicBenefitIncomeExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_3b0a4936-6331-4793-be66-4b664a7ccfe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_f12bdde9-0a3f-4313-b239-78aeb9d35eb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_3b0a4936-6331-4793-be66-4b664a7ccfe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_f12bdde9-0a3f-4313-b239-78aeb9d35eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresTable_f12bdde9-0a3f-4313-b239-78aeb9d35eb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3238fc71-5919-4da3-be0b-1c15b96d0d00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_3ca638cf-8951-4dfb-84e3-d9de52c06ccd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3238fc71-5919-4da3-be0b-1c15b96d0d00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_6f2c89d0-a95c-4fdb-9569-627bb7721855" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3238fc71-5919-4da3-be0b-1c15b96d0d00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_6f2c89d0-a95c-4fdb-9569-627bb7721855" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_e272b9a8-4760-4523-8afb-8921f2ee3f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_3238fc71-5919-4da3-be0b-1c15b96d0d00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_e272b9a8-4760-4523-8afb-8921f2ee3f30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems_3b0a4936-6331-4793-be66-4b664a7ccfe4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_2a01060d-238d-4f49-ab8c-d950ee2d8692" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost_2a01060d-238d-4f49-ab8c-d950ee2d8692" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_c54c2d5c-d114-4470-a2a8-9ac2caf52f6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost_c54c2d5c-d114-4470-a2a8-9ac2caf52f6b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_b4b27ae4-2060-4be7-97bb-70158807adc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets_b4b27ae4-2060-4be7-97bb-70158807adc5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_d6d28fd7-ce87-434b-b39d-b7498b025c17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfPriorServiceCostCredit_d6d28fd7-ce87-434b-b39d-b7498b025c17" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_1aa17d8f-749e-4e78-bc1f-4d20446bc346" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses_1aa17d8f-749e-4e78-bc1f-4d20446bc346" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_25f83f17-69e6-4a38-8ffb-23eac737f958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCostAbstract_8e1d6dec-d6e4-4d92-9f15-4fda50f5264e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost_25f83f17-69e6-4a38-8ffb-23eac737f958" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_4940654a-a077-41ea-a510-21d2d5c0acd0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_21effd7f-fb55-4d18-910e-65ecd55005ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_4940654a-a077-41ea-a510-21d2d5c0acd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_21effd7f-fb55-4d18-910e-65ecd55005ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc" 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_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_21effd7f-fb55-4d18-910e-65ecd55005ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc_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_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c5fbbcf1-5d9e-45d2-a767-3fe8cb80467f" 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_16d4887f-75a5-4127-8c31-159602a5ccfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c5fbbcf1-5d9e-45d2-a767-3fe8cb80467f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_baf58e92-ce2e-4f03-bacb-fd97b12407d5" 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_c5fbbcf1-5d9e-45d2-a767-3fe8cb80467f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_baf58e92-ce2e-4f03-bacb-fd97b12407d5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_39ef1f6b-d166-4579-9f0b-98ef7a747c09" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c5fbbcf1-5d9e-45d2-a767-3fe8cb80467f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_39ef1f6b-d166-4579-9f0b-98ef7a747c09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_21effd7f-fb55-4d18-910e-65ecd55005ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_c8a80d61-1a9a-44e1-a461-c41e8914e165" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_c8ad2d21-cac1-414d-aee5-47ee0a117dff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_c8a80d61-1a9a-44e1-a461-c41e8914e165" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02618c7c-b1c8-4cee-a917-9db09ba61d55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_c8a80d61-1a9a-44e1-a461-c41e8914e165" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02618c7c-b1c8-4cee-a917-9db09ba61d55" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_f8d226f9-1e10-4fa0-9d8a-d7d886325ed8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02618c7c-b1c8-4cee-a917-9db09ba61d55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_f8d226f9-1e10-4fa0-9d8a-d7d886325ed8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_52d8e83e-433a-4e2d-86ed-cf8536538a72" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_02618c7c-b1c8-4cee-a917-9db09ba61d55" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_52d8e83e-433a-4e2d-86ed-cf8536538a72" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_d2a38bb0-5bfd-4e5e-93ab-4698ab0d644d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_4940654a-a077-41ea-a510-21d2d5c0acd0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue_d2a38bb0-5bfd-4e5e-93ab-4698ab0d644d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFairValueOfIndemnification_45ec8ce6-c62b-45e8-9f3c-b3674d4812f7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFairValueOfIndemnification"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_4940654a-a077-41ea-a510-21d2d5c0acd0" xlink:to="loc_lumn_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFairValueOfIndemnification_45ec8ce6-c62b-45e8-9f3c-b3674d4812f7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsHeldatNetAssetValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsHeldatNetAssetValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsInvestmentsHeldatNetAssetValueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_69dd2830-c183-42c0-8506-44bbb15057ee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_8912c1b2-aeba-423a-b9c9-e68c9b2a89ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_69dd2830-c183-42c0-8506-44bbb15057ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_8912c1b2-aeba-423a-b9c9-e68c9b2a89ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8" 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_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_8912c1b2-aeba-423a-b9c9-e68c9b2a89ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8_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_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_296cad5d-d12d-4933-9556-e1f9c688e2b7" 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_7a264f39-1335-4e11-8dd0-a5585d93aae8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_296cad5d-d12d-4933-9556-e1f9c688e2b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_6e854e10-306c-4e9b-a849-086abec4b46f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_296cad5d-d12d-4933-9556-e1f9c688e2b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasuredAtNetAssetValuePerShareMember_6e854e10-306c-4e9b-a849-086abec4b46f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_8912c1b2-aeba-423a-b9c9-e68c9b2a89ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_7cf8e03c-2264-4172-a88f-83a2e17fd9b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_3a211629-05fa-4088-af70-fbc3f7b56ed4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_7cf8e03c-2264-4172-a88f-83a2e17fd9b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_25c2711a-5f28-46c6-a08e-103c50d263b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_7cf8e03c-2264-4172-a88f-83a2e17fd9b9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_25c2711a-5f28-46c6-a08e-103c50d263b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_787a2c14-615f-4600-be39-cc2a3baa4547" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_25c2711a-5f28-46c6-a08e-103c50d263b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_787a2c14-615f-4600-be39-cc2a3baa4547" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue_88cef465-7b2d-4fe0-b0c2-8c042dd8a9a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_69dd2830-c183-42c0-8506-44bbb15057ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentOwnedAtFairValue_88cef465-7b2d-4fe0-b0c2-8c042dd8a9a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_12140009-1967-42e9-b02b-cfbbc1c20e42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_69dd2830-c183-42c0-8506-44bbb15057ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_12140009-1967-42e9-b02b-cfbbc1c20e42" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ce447b94-c30a-40c6-924d-bfb35d6e735b" 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_f9772097-0c08-4955-a41b-4c7fc6278c56" 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_ce447b94-c30a-40c6-924d-bfb35d6e735b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f9772097-0c08-4955-a41b-4c7fc6278c56" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f9772097-0c08-4955-a41b-4c7fc6278c56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3fe33177-f03f-46ce-9df4-d2d37cfba575" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_092508dc-969f-421f-b67a-45b878325c1f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3fe33177-f03f-46ce-9df4-d2d37cfba575" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_f192bf0f-ce84-4f18-84a5-0061c7f6f5d1" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_3fe33177-f03f-46ce-9df4-d2d37cfba575" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_f192bf0f-ce84-4f18-84a5-0061c7f6f5d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_f8ea34d7-63e2-493b-8b56-9c6f602c12b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ce447b94-c30a-40c6-924d-bfb35d6e735b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_f8ea34d7-63e2-493b-8b56-9c6f602c12b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_edbf0410-5eae-4201-96ac-d880a96240ad" 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_ce447b94-c30a-40c6-924d-bfb35d6e735b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_edbf0410-5eae-4201-96ac-d880a96240ad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_NumberOfSalesChannel_5e7d5681-c008-422a-9e85-01a3f2a43b2f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_NumberOfSalesChannel"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_ce447b94-c30a-40c6-924d-bfb35d6e735b" xlink:to="loc_lumn_NumberOfSalesChannel_5e7d5681-c008-422a-9e85-01a3f2a43b2f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentResultsandOperatingRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#SegmentInformationSegmentResultsandOperatingRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentResultsandOperatingRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_59e197d8-53b2-4001-9d8b-314971243107" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_59e197d8-53b2-4001-9d8b-314971243107" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomersByProductsAndServicesTable_59e197d8-53b2-4001-9d8b-314971243107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_467644cd-17de-401d-9d66-e98460ac1877" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_fc762aaf-48e1-4f3b-b35b-359f918d004d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_467644cd-17de-401d-9d66-e98460ac1877" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_a16cf0f4-c2c2-48d8-b9ec-ac8e9422c517" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_BusinessSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_467644cd-17de-401d-9d66-e98460ac1877" xlink:to="loc_lumn_BusinessSegmentMember_a16cf0f4-c2c2-48d8-b9ec-ac8e9422c517" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_fd99da2f-b806-4dee-b706-63147872fc89" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_467644cd-17de-401d-9d66-e98460ac1877" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MassMarketSegmentMember_fd99da2f-b806-4dee-b706-63147872fc89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0bc47887-c171-427f-ab55-5d2ddf6109a8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0bc47887-c171-427f-ab55-5d2ddf6109a8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_f0edf065-f5d9-4a7f-a23c-b32e74498396" 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_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_f0edf065-f5d9-4a7f-a23c-b32e74498396" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_678f8bf3-d206-4298-8394-5694244a4304" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_678f8bf3-d206-4298-8394-5694244a4304" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_SegmentReportingMeasurementForTransactionsBetweenReportableSegmentsSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_be823feb-79c3-48d8-8994-5eb640be8b00" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_SegmentReportingMeasurementForTransactionsBetweenReportableSegmentsSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_lumn_SegmentReportingMeasurementForTransactionsBetweenReportableSegmentsSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_be823feb-79c3-48d8-8994-5eb640be8b00" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OperatingExpensesExcludingDepreciationAmortizationAndImpairment_cb519719-afe2-4cfb-87f5-8328b0064322" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OperatingExpensesExcludingDepreciationAmortizationAndImpairment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OperatingExpensesExcludingDepreciationAmortizationAndImpairment_cb519719-afe2-4cfb-87f5-8328b0064322" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_a09aa83c-aff1-4ea4-acfb-ebf726f290b8" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EntityWideInformationRevenueFromExternalCustomerLineItems_e0b7fd32-b2f9-4bb4-99e7-24dfeffdac19" xlink:to="loc_lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_a09aa83c-aff1-4ea4-acfb-ebf726f290b8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#SegmentInformationReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/SegmentInformationReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" 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_87ad5e97-40b5-4515-839f-cded8594193d" 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_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_87ad5e97-40b5-4515-839f-cded8594193d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_87ad5e97-40b5-4515-839f-cded8594193d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84ebb7bb-3355-45bf-9538-e1b6654bbbab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4cc48c2d-b765-4599-a49e-f7cf52fa65fd" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84ebb7bb-3355-45bf-9538-e1b6654bbbab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_0a432515-4d82-42f5-b4d7-7d88bc12e7c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84ebb7bb-3355-45bf-9538-e1b6654bbbab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_0a432515-4d82-42f5-b4d7-7d88bc12e7c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_1e370d49-8adc-4f47-803d-ffcca2844dbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_84ebb7bb-3355-45bf-9538-e1b6654bbbab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_1e370d49-8adc-4f47-803d-ffcca2844dbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestIncomeTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_76eb0bf1-b388-4b3c-83c0-ba20b308b7f7" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestIncomeTaxDepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_lumn_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeInterestIncomeTaxDepreciationAndAmortization_76eb0bf1-b388-4b3c-83c0-ba20b308b7f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_1881a7e9-d25a-4ca6-ba92-8e7bf93a8dee" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_1881a7e9-d25a-4ca6-ba92-8e7bf93a8dee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherUnallocatedExpense_f26a7c7a-851d-42be-9ca7-5a0e21c9980f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherUnallocatedExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherUnallocatedExpense_f26a7c7a-851d-42be-9ca7-5a0e21c9980f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_12841e21-cbbb-4d33-9f96-88fe33a2bdb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_12841e21-cbbb-4d33-9f96-88fe33a2bdb3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_baf432cd-c00a-48be-bf1e-b9935e2b8fdc" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_baf432cd-c00a-48be-bf1e-b9935e2b8fdc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_d2f69008-9d65-4dc9-8064-eacc103a83ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_d2f69008-9d65-4dc9-8064-eacc103a83ad" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_20a6ea3d-3f8f-4524-9a4c-daf561595ead" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_20a6ea3d-3f8f-4524-9a4c-daf561595ead" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_283ee884-ba60-48de-a8c9-ffd2a056d277" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_283ee884-ba60-48de-a8c9-ffd2a056d277" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_472c4684-b7f7-4886-9a84-2a1a6bc4c4e2" 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_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_46681a4e-b90e-48cc-ba16-554c832c0406" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_472c4684-b7f7-4886-9a84-2a1a6bc4c4e2" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesandOtherItemsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#CommitmentsContingenciesandOtherItemsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesandOtherItemsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" 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_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" 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_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseAxis_efb0ca95-0d70-4abe-87d0-0c6b99c96d44" xlink:to="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MissouriMunicipalitiesMember_91f5fc9e-3e82-4531-adc9-721907cd1fed" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MissouriMunicipalitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MissouriMunicipalitiesMember_91f5fc9e-3e82-4531-adc9-721907cd1fed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PeruvianTaxLitigationMember_4a413f8a-5bee-4c53-957e-5ca6f55b6327" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PeruvianTaxLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PeruvianTaxLitigationMember_4a413f8a-5bee-4c53-957e-5ca6f55b6327" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ColumbiaAndJoplinMunicipalitiesMember_8a31396f-fb55-41cd-8368-ddee37788069" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ColumbiaAndJoplinMunicipalitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ColumbiaAndJoplinMunicipalitiesMember_8a31396f-fb55-41cd-8368-ddee37788069" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_MarshallFireLitigationMember_427d160d-a117-4e45-9b05-c85e43858626" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_MarshallFireLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_LitigationCaseTypeDomain_9e1cc479-c58c-4e3e-9811-30d008a82e8e" xlink:to="loc_lumn_MarshallFireLitigationMember_427d160d-a117-4e45-9b05-c85e43858626" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesTable_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_a677c2e5-ef01-44f3-bd24-08700be40064" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusAxis_c06ec32a-eed8-4bb5-abb5-767c82db0b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_a677c2e5-ef01-44f3-bd24-08700be40064" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember_362f6a25-20e1-4b2c-952f-9ae8a18b7cc6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_a677c2e5-ef01-44f3-bd24-08700be40064" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_JudicialRulingMember_362f6a25-20e1-4b2c-952f-9ae8a18b7cc6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember_c618eb98-cfb5-40eb-a5df-c3789107bc18" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LitigationStatusDomain_a677c2e5-ef01-44f3-bd24-08700be40064" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PendingLitigationMember_c618eb98-cfb5-40eb-a5df-c3789107bc18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42" 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_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42_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_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" 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_071ef9a1-906d-4b00-9983-3dc27d009c42" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PenaltiesForViolationOfWashingtonRegulationsAndLawsFiledByStaffOfWUTCMember_82cc79d4-0d82-4ad4-b1fa-30cd8a3a0dbd" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PenaltiesForViolationOfWashingtonRegulationsAndLawsFiledByStaffOfWUTCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PenaltiesForViolationOfWashingtonRegulationsAndLawsFiledByStaffOfWUTCMember_82cc79d4-0d82-4ad4-b1fa-30cd8a3a0dbd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PenaltiesSoughtByWashingtonAttorneysGeneralOfficeMember_d3b3d581-8da1-422d-84f8-7df96c40c81f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PenaltiesSoughtByWashingtonAttorneysGeneralOfficeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PenaltiesSoughtByWashingtonAttorneysGeneralOfficeMember_d3b3d581-8da1-422d-84f8-7df96c40c81f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_PenaltiesSoughtForViolationOfRegulationsAndLawsOfWUTCMember_082173c4-8995-4c91-84c7-5d11bc49c49f" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_PenaltiesSoughtForViolationOfRegulationsAndLawsOfWUTCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" xlink:to="loc_lumn_PenaltiesSoughtForViolationOfRegulationsAndLawsOfWUTCMember_082173c4-8995-4c91-84c7-5d11bc49c49f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnfavorableRegulatoryActionMember_e90bbfdd-f851-47bb-9677-65b117c057b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnfavorableRegulatoryActionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNatureDomain_f1c828be-97bf-4286-848c-308a04fe04fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnfavorableRegulatoryActionMember_e90bbfdd-f851-47bb-9677-65b117c057b7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31" 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_9ce39218-8727-4cc8-a8ba-b77e76f1b1e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31_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_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_45f326fe-49e0-4564-b19d-cfd090e4026a" 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_41bbb7f1-4ac5-4f49-b4ef-d029df23fe31" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_45f326fe-49e0-4564-b19d-cfd090e4026a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_10856ade-48b8-47bb-a381-85c4c6a14dd4" 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_45f326fe-49e0-4564-b19d-cfd090e4026a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_10856ade-48b8-47bb-a381-85c4c6a14dd4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_ab35fb5d-c161-4990-80d1-f59b2be7c658" 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_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss_ab35fb5d-c161-4990-80d1-f59b2be7c658" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber_ced5afde-92f0-4c1f-a6e5-aacf8fdb5892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyPendingClaimsNumber_ced5afde-92f0-4c1f-a6e5-aacf8fdb5892" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_a520f2c1-cba3-49c6-97c0-6a33e82d23e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmountAwardedToOtherParty_a520f2c1-cba3-49c6-97c0-6a33e82d23e2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_bfdc509b-5c5c-4a62-9203-d5a035e4f88a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue_bfdc509b-5c5c-4a62-9203-d5a035e4f88a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_44a88942-efd5-4bc3-9d1f-87e038fbecec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue_44a88942-efd5-4bc3-9d1f-87e038fbecec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_LossContingencyNumberOfPeopleKilled_298b1133-542f-440f-bfba-a7f0cdc0e663" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_LossContingencyNumberOfPeopleKilled"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_lumn_LossContingencyNumberOfPeopleKilled_298b1133-542f-440f-bfba-a7f0cdc0e663" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber_2f615781-acb3-4e3c-a9d6-e3748fa7fe32" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber_2f615781-acb3-4e3c-a9d6-e3748fa7fe32" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber_ad77b1ef-a4be-471f-ae89-0638eb9b10fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems_8252e0d2-6c32-473f-9726-eb7eecd46ac5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LossContingencyPatentsAllegedlyInfringedNumber_ad77b1ef-a4be-471f-ae89-0638eb9b10fc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/OtherFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#OtherFinancialInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/OtherFinancialInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsLineItems_7d19efff-5b79-4b38-8beb-7eaf1675391b" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsTable_a468eee0-5005-4b78-8528-e6e515aa48ee" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsLineItems_7d19efff-5b79-4b38-8beb-7eaf1675391b" xlink:to="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsTable_a468eee0-5005-4b78-8528-e6e515aa48ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsTable_a468eee0-5005-4b78-8528-e6e515aa48ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_6ed1a513-06ac-405e-a7f4-28121bce5ed3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAxis_dd27d355-b5da-46fd-9244-1de3a57ffeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_6ed1a513-06ac-405e-a7f4-28121bce5ed3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember_b4c2de87-f26c-40dc-a694-de53d6bca326" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_6ed1a513-06ac-405e-a7f4-28121bce5ed3" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ContractAcquisitionCostsMember_b4c2de87-f26c-40dc-a694-de53d6bca326" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember_20938f8a-d50e-43ff-982c-d9014c8b061a" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostDomain_6ed1a513-06ac-405e-a7f4-28121bce5ed3" xlink:to="loc_lumn_ContractFulfillmentCostsMember_20938f8a-d50e-43ff-982c-d9014c8b061a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_lumn_OtherCurrentAssetsLineItems_7d19efff-5b79-4b38-8beb-7eaf1675391b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrent_5180ffab-2e60-40ed-aa80-11a3a07cf557" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseCurrent_5180ffab-2e60-40ed-aa80-11a3a07cf557" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivable_6a3d6836-ffc2-4027-b1e8-ef16c0bff654" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesReceivable_6a3d6836-ffc2-4027-b1e8-ef16c0bff654" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialsSuppliesAndOther_022c39e8-0117-4b40-a8ba-e84e72e4e719" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialsSuppliesAndOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialsSuppliesAndOther_022c39e8-0117-4b40-a8ba-e84e72e4e719" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet_8f60d89f-55d2-4229-8bbd-18226ced2589" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherDeferredCostsNet_8f60d89f-55d2-4229-8bbd-18226ced2589" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNetCurrent_af22391d-3d24-4be8-b209-4ce38773a393" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNetCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNetCurrent_af22391d-3d24-4be8-b209-4ce38773a393" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroupCurrent_593b648f-6522-4ffd-ab21-6778922aeb6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroupCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleNotPartOfDisposalGroupCurrent_593b648f-6522-4ffd-ab21-6778922aeb6e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneousCurrent_b519bde9-ea0e-404b-9193-ea9188dd844b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneousCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsMiscellaneousCurrent_b519bde9-ea0e-404b-9193-ea9188dd844b" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_c7d7ef51-fa3c-4b38-a602-676700546af8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpenseAndOtherAssetsCurrentAbstract_684d76f0-231b-4142-8a20-5d0686f663ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_c7d7ef51-fa3c-4b38-a602-676700546af8" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossAOCIActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossAOCIActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossAOCIActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_ae403cbc-3e6a-4c98-899d-f954cf90c1e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_46908de7-37fc-4094-abd2-0144187d870c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_ae403cbc-3e6a-4c98-899d-f954cf90c1e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_46908de7-37fc-4094-abd2-0144187d870c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51" 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_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_46908de7-37fc-4094-abd2-0144187d870c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51_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_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5a34601d-d319-4591-9db0-d294b0f2bca0" 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_5428efd1-1c93-4462-a4c1-45c23a79bd51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5a34601d-d319-4591-9db0-d294b0f2bca0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_72449288-fef1-4ef9-bbba-0ec796d38048" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5a34601d-d319-4591-9db0-d294b0f2bca0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_72449288-fef1-4ef9-bbba-0ec796d38048" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_5ad7552c-32d8-4030-9bfc-4801b4ab9a28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5a34601d-d319-4591-9db0-d294b0f2bca0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_5ad7552c-32d8-4030-9bfc-4801b4ab9a28" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_a45251c1-bb1d-42d1-b30f-51ed6254ee18" 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_5a34601d-d319-4591-9db0-d294b0f2bca0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_a45251c1-bb1d-42d1-b30f-51ed6254ee18" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_46908de7-37fc-4094-abd2-0144187d870c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b2834122-2616-4a30-aed2-33db095db9b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis_ae8c38d6-3c9f-48be-af9e-80b856074e4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b2834122-2616-4a30-aed2-33db095db9b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_4e3b936d-aa18-4125-ae56-540a1199e7f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b2834122-2616-4a30-aed2-33db095db9b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember_4e3b936d-aa18-4125-ae56-540a1199e7f3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_e6249aed-3de6-4170-a164-748268ca8968" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeDomain_b2834122-2616-4a30-aed2-33db095db9b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherPostretirementBenefitPlansDefinedBenefitMember_e6249aed-3de6-4170-a164-748268ca8968" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_ae403cbc-3e6a-4c98-899d-f954cf90c1e7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_9b25e64a-c14b-4423-a222-5d22ad539536" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_9b25e64a-c14b-4423-a222-5d22ad539536" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_3955f170-7004-4cd5-838e-1288eb263f53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_3955f170-7004-4cd5-838e-1288eb263f53" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_1d79de36-9ebf-4a07-b399-d627303e4b89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_1d79de36-9ebf-4a07-b399-d627303e4b89" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_13af07b0-b686-4983-b10d-ea14c6e9d1df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AOCIAttributableToParentNetOfTaxRollForward_50e655d0-7b96-4383-bafb-b28691231886" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_13af07b0-b686-4983-b10d-ea14c6e9d1df" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_620e1cc5-a523-4c18-9de2-ca2f8998c24c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossReclassificationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossReclassificationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossReclassificationsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_7b3f5e81-e094-4867-978f-4a2aa3a62884" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_7b3f5e81-e094-4867-978f-4a2aa3a62884" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_7b3f5e81-e094-4867-978f-4a2aa3a62884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_c6772a1a-8d5e-437f-a2d2-ebcc1ba23c36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeAxis_2f744ec9-6b23-452f-af88-8a55b9a06b61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_c6772a1a-8d5e-437f-a2d2-ebcc1ba23c36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_704c0901-2c39-4725-939a-e1d23a246ce4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDomain_c6772a1a-8d5e-437f-a2d2-ebcc1ba23c36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_704c0901-2c39-4725-939a-e1d23a246ce4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54" 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_ReclassificationOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTable_7b3f5e81-e094-4867-978f-4a2aa3a62884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54_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_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_81e2e53c-25b6-4a77-ac49-4438a66c9240" 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_b3fd6b47-c12f-4d2c-841c-37d55d00dd54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_81e2e53c-25b6-4a77-ac49-4438a66c9240" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember_6022d693-b59d-4746-87c8-f78511ee954c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_81e2e53c-25b6-4a77-ac49-4438a66c9240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetUnamortizedGainLossMember_6022d693-b59d-4746-87c8-f78511ee954c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember_0be6cfb7-d37b-43dc-a038-7c00efb36a95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_81e2e53c-25b6-4a77-ac49-4438a66c9240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetPriorServiceCostCreditMember_0be6cfb7-d37b-43dc-a038-7c00efb36a95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_be92e219-4dfe-4099-8f32-ab69d3e71d42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_81e2e53c-25b6-4a77-ac49-4438a66c9240" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_be92e219-4dfe-4099-8f32-ab69d3e71d42" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_c462ca0d-ead7-44a6-8a8f-e21b8aee971f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_c462ca0d-ead7-44a6-8a8f-e21b8aee971f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_c425f83a-145f-47d9-b0f8-927e87494d3b" 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_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_c425f83a-145f-47d9-b0f8-927e87494d3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_36a68bff-1202-4b91-9e47-27491697a996" 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_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_36a68bff-1202-4b91-9e47-27491697a996" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7cdb27a5-20d7-4c11-bbca-895abee6860d" 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_ReclassificationAdjustmentOutOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems_167c20e8-e85c-457d-9084-b4e6980f47ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7cdb27a5-20d7-4c11-bbca-895abee6860d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.lumen.com/role/LaborUnionContractsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="lumn-20240331.xsd#LaborUnionContractsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.lumen.com/role/LaborUnionContractsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_4439a5cd-48ca-4d63-99ac-31c936d37584" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ad0a09b0-2532-471a-abeb-7c1b5e50f6c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_4439a5cd-48ca-4d63-99ac-31c936d37584" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ad0a09b0-2532-471a-abeb-7c1b5e50f6c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ad0a09b0-2532-471a-abeb-7c1b5e50f6c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_2667b992-5bc4-45f2-b7ed-b4d0a68aeb34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis_b3bfcead-5f37-4eec-81ed-97470123faa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_2667b992-5bc4-45f2-b7ed-b4d0a68aeb34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnionizedEmployeesConcentrationRiskMember_9ddbf09b-84f6-4c60-89f7-1e57cc8f36e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnionizedEmployeesConcentrationRiskMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTypeDomain_2667b992-5bc4-45f2-b7ed-b4d0a68aeb34" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnionizedEmployeesConcentrationRiskMember_9ddbf09b-84f6-4c60-89f7-1e57cc8f36e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskTable_ad0a09b0-2532-471a-abeb-7c1b5e50f6c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_83dcfce2-91d3-4512-889a-eb33c43913b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis_a01c42b4-0a77-421a-a787-462ee4b4efd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_83dcfce2-91d3-4512-889a-eb33c43913b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfEmployeesTotalMember_4c4e6148-7ab3-4909-817a-c975636d55b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfEmployeesTotalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_83dcfce2-91d3-4512-889a-eb33c43913b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfEmployeesTotalMember_4c4e6148-7ab3-4909-817a-c975636d55b8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WorkforceSubjectToCollectiveBargainingArrangementsExpiringWithinOneYearMember_1fda7577-15e7-4a88-b7d1-827cf8235a69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WorkforceSubjectToCollectiveBargainingArrangementsExpiringWithinOneYearMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskBenchmarkDomain_83dcfce2-91d3-4512-889a-eb33c43913b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WorkforceSubjectToCollectiveBargainingArrangementsExpiringWithinOneYearMember_1fda7577-15e7-4a88-b7d1-827cf8235a69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_a0fc110d-9cef-4e6e-8378-d4ee9f27edfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskLineItems_4439a5cd-48ca-4d63-99ac-31c936d37584" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1_a0fc110d-9cef-4e6e-8378-d4ee9f27edfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
