<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactions" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactions" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsFormationOfVentureWithBlackstonedetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsFormationOfVentureWithBlackstonedetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementOfEquity" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementOfEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsParenthetical" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/Debt2017FinancingsConvertibleDebtDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#Debt2017FinancingsConvertibleDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtLineOfCreditDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#DebtLineOfCreditDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#DebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeases" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#FacilityOperatingLeases" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#FacilityOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeasesTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#FacilityOperatingLeasesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNet" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNet" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/Litigation" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#Litigation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SegmentInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformation" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntities" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#VariableInterestEntities" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables" xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#VariableInterestEntitiesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactions" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_93F4F9D3EC0EC7E46FCA98C73416DB57" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_93F4F9D3EC0EC7E46FCA98C73416DB57" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_A24EC9EBF462CED2301498C73416EF2C_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_93F4F9D3EC0EC7E46FCA98C73416DB57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_A24EC9EBF462CED2301498C73416EF2C_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_A24EC9EBF462CED2301498C73416EF2C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_93F4F9D3EC0EC7E46FCA98C73416DB57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_A24EC9EBF462CED2301498C73416EF2C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_JointVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_JointVentureMember_544922D91BFBF58E90D598C73416353B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_A24EC9EBF462CED2301498C73416EF2C" xlink:to="loc_bkd_JointVentureMember_544922D91BFBF58E90D598C73416353B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DBDC0D88E84143C5AA2E98C73416A799" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DBDC0D88E84143C5AA2E98C73416A799" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DBDC0D88E84143C5AA2E98C73416A799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_DBDC0D88E84143C5AA2E98C73416A799" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_80CA044CA44214C0F6BF98C7341615BF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_80CA044CA44214C0F6BF98C7341615BF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_HCPInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_4205113E420718C6743598C73416778B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_6507C1BC7E7A8FE2015E98C7341664A7" xlink:to="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_4205113E420718C6743598C73416778B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6EF155675A517BE55B8498C73416FE30" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6EF155675A517BE55B8498C73416FE30" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6EF155675A517BE55B8498C73416FE30" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_6EF155675A517BE55B8498C73416FE30" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_579AECAA0C0413B12F1C98C7341743F6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_579AECAA0C0413B12F1C98C7341743F6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_HCPInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_C964C53937C0E24C994098C734171823" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_099DDC38D8F05E4E319698C73416563E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_C964C53937C0E24C994098C734171823" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_B6583ABCC0BCAA82AFDC98C73417D892" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_B6583ABCC0BCAA82AFDC98C73417D892" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_B6583ABCC0BCAA82AFDC98C73417D892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_B6583ABCC0BCAA82AFDC98C73417D892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_A130CommunitiesDisposedOfBySalesAndLeaseTerminationsMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_A130CommunitiesDisposedOfBySalesAndLeaseTerminationsMember_5E98B94F17E1FF215C8599461654502F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_A130CommunitiesDisposedOfBySalesAndLeaseTerminationsMember_5E98B94F17E1FF215C8599461654502F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_A16CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_A16CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember_2758EB71932DE820524098C73417785E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_A16CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember_2758EB71932DE820524098C73417785E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_A14CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_A14CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember_7F27A060C0F93579F87998C734175ED8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_A14CommunitiesHeldForSaleMember_7F27A060C0F93579F87998C734175ED8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_TerminationOfTripleNetLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_TerminationOfTripleNetLeasesMember_AFDA9EB588840F6A7E7598C73417B0E8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_TerminationOfTripleNetLeasesMember_AFDA9EB588840F6A7E7598C73417B0E8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_TerminationOf25TripleNetLeases1Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_TerminationOf25TripleNetLeases1Member_E2A83D929F0372D2C06598C73417357D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_TerminationOf25TripleNetLeases1Member_E2A83D929F0372D2C06598C73417357D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_TerminationOf8TripleNetLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_TerminationOf8TripleNetLeasesMember_DE7F83D22037564F623898C73417A47D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_398C3D9CA7EF1719985698C7341730B1" xlink:to="loc_bkd_TerminationOf8TripleNetLeasesMember_DE7F83D22037564F623898C73417A47D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1F149E2B83E92655355298C7341776AD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1F149E2B83E92655355298C7341776AD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1F149E2B83E92655355298C7341776AD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_1F149E2B83E92655355298C7341776AD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AssistedLivingMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_1F0420C020995A265EC798C734177334" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_1F0420C020995A265EC798C734177334" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_RetirementCentersMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_6E0D6820E52BC34C459D98C734176A7F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2" xlink:to="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_6E0D6820E52BC34C459D98C734176A7F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_CcrcsRentalMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_13CC9BFDA549AB25284998C7341717EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_76A4A854230C67B3CF5B98C73417A9B2" xlink:to="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_13CC9BFDA549AB25284998C7341717EC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7365DAD20EF4B096A9EB98C73418756E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7365DAD20EF4B096A9EB98C73418756E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_69832C4DB2B1D130A66598C7341849A5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7365DAD20EF4B096A9EB98C73418756E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_69832C4DB2B1D130A66598C7341849A5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_69832C4DB2B1D130A66598C7341849A5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_7365DAD20EF4B096A9EB98C73418756E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_69832C4DB2B1D130A66598C7341849A5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember_40577B2F11B7233270BC98C73418F7E5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_69832C4DB2B1D130A66598C7341849A5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMember_40577B2F11B7233270BC98C73418F7E5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_29E81A7DE25DD9F5664598C734184192" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_AB2BCE0C561993322D4098C734167CCB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_29E81A7DE25DD9F5664598C734184192" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9EBD6CABCD7E9FFFB77E98C734187249_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_29E81A7DE25DD9F5664598C734184192" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9EBD6CABCD7E9FFFB77E98C734187249_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9EBD6CABCD7E9FFFB77E98C734187249" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_29E81A7DE25DD9F5664598C734184192" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9EBD6CABCD7E9FFFB77E98C734187249" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_B22E117220FAE6F6739998C73418FB63" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_9EBD6CABCD7E9FFFB77E98C734187249" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldForSaleOrDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_B22E117220FAE6F6739998C73418FB63" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf_8D4F724ED50B8E5463CE98C73418FE1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfCommunitiesDisposedOf_8D4F724ED50B8E5463CE98C73418FE1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationResidentServiceRevenue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationResidentServiceRevenue_EBC3D30A6130C783BE8898C73418740C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HealthCareOrganizationResidentServiceRevenue_EBC3D30A6130C783BE8898C73418740C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateRevenue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateRevenue_4B405DDC3C7D8BC4BEB798C73418507B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfRealEstateRevenue_4B405DDC3C7D8BC4BEB798C73418507B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRent_E751282A4AD9B30CBA6B98C734199DF4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRent_E751282A4AD9B30CBA6B98C734199DF4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale_39CB2FE8550170B5333B98C734186404" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesClassifiedAsHeldForSale_39CB2FE8550170B5333B98C734186404" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfAdditionalCommunitiesDisposedOf" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfAdditionalCommunitiesDisposedOf_D7EB69454DDB8BC4D3EF98C73418EEAD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DisposalGroupNumberOfAdditionalCommunitiesDisposedOf_D7EB69454DDB8BC4D3EF98C73418EEAD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated_20643A07FBC278CDE03698C73418E11D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated_20643A07FBC278CDE03698C73418E11D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_ED61A692183D11876F2898DF8C74A4E7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_ED61A692183D11876F2898DF8C74A4E7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_5271FB2F2850205390BC98C73418F904" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RealEstateHeldforsale_5271FB2F2850205390BC98C73418F904" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate_F29431F7D15472AF59BD98C734184D6C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate_F29431F7D15472AF59BD98C734184D6C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesContributedToJointVenture" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesContributedToJointVenture_67E45B0A885E91FD6EED98C734188BB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesContributedToJointVenture_67E45B0A885E91FD6EED98C734188BB7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired_5F36BB6060AAEB9BE1D798C73418AF1D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired_5F36BB6060AAEB9BE1D798C73418AF1D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_38D597FAF4EA67CC57DF98C7341955F1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_B2273115B5119E5B841898C73418AA9A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_38D597FAF4EA67CC57DF98C7341955F1" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/AcquisitionsDispositionsAndOtherSignificantTransactionsFormationOfVentureWithBlackstonedetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_74E1EADA31A1DF094CDE98C73437E662" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_74E1EADA31A1DF094CDE98C73437E662" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_55473EFA844228548C8498C734375FE3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_74E1EADA31A1DF094CDE98C73437E662" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_55473EFA844228548C8498C734375FE3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_55473EFA844228548C8498C734375FE3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfArrangementAxis_74E1EADA31A1DF094CDE98C73437E662" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_55473EFA844228548C8498C734375FE3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_JointVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_JointVentureMember_8D66D3D394D9009A263998C7343D2FB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ArrangementsAndNonarrangementTransactionsMember_55473EFA844228548C8498C734375FE3" xlink:to="loc_bkd_JointVentureMember_8D66D3D394D9009A263998C7343D2FB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_B82C1383C36A47500DA298C7343D8A01" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_B82C1383C36A47500DA298C7343D8A01" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_62A9D39E3696D8B50B1898C7343D0666_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_B82C1383C36A47500DA298C7343D8A01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_62A9D39E3696D8B50B1898C7343D0666_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_62A9D39E3696D8B50B1898C7343D0666" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_B82C1383C36A47500DA298C7343D8A01" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_62A9D39E3696D8B50B1898C7343D0666" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_5B23B7A01869249EA64B98C7343D6B0C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_62A9D39E3696D8B50B1898C7343D0666" xlink:to="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_5B23B7A01869249EA64B98C7343D6B0C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_7054B5FBF7AB9566DED098C7343D75B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_7054B5FBF7AB9566DED098C7343D75B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_F4059BC5CAF5C50770E798C7343DD4DA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_7054B5FBF7AB9566DED098C7343D75B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_F4059BC5CAF5C50770E798C7343DD4DA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_F4059BC5CAF5C50770E798C7343DD4DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis_7054B5FBF7AB9566DED098C7343D75B6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_F4059BC5CAF5C50770E798C7343DD4DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_HCPInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_97B1250D23477FC89C5398C7343DFDF9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_F4059BC5CAF5C50770E798C7343DD4DA" xlink:to="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_97B1250D23477FC89C5398C7343DFDF9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_A85B289E5FBD39E59E7998C7343EE279" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_A85B289E5FBD39E59E7998C7343EE279" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_03C51F735C93C578E75898C7343E6FF0_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_A85B289E5FBD39E59E7998C7343EE279" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_03C51F735C93C578E75898C7343E6FF0_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_03C51F735C93C578E75898C7343E6FF0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_A85B289E5FBD39E59E7998C7343EE279" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_03C51F735C93C578E75898C7343E6FF0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_6B9A7DF8A7F2C84C154F98C7343E8DDE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_03C51F735C93C578E75898C7343E6FF0" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_6B9A7DF8A7F2C84C154F98C7343E8DDE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_E71B09A0824B94BF8B1E98C7343E39EC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_E71B09A0824B94BF8B1E98C7343E39EC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8AABDD0A890D84E1463D98C7343EF450_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_E71B09A0824B94BF8B1E98C7343E39EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8AABDD0A890D84E1463D98C7343EF450_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8AABDD0A890D84E1463D98C7343EF450" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_E71B09A0824B94BF8B1E98C7343E39EC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8AABDD0A890D84E1463D98C7343EF450" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_6FF5C49BC74214502D6498C7343E775F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_8AABDD0A890D84E1463D98C7343EF450" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_6FF5C49BC74214502D6498C7343E775F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_D8E30175D4A17729CF3098C7343E0166" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_D8E30175D4A17729CF3098C7343E0166" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_D8E30175D4A17729CF3098C7343E0166" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_D8E30175D4A17729CF3098C7343E0166" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AssistedLivingMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_40A2F9D4EE955D4DF67D98C7343FA54B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_40A2F9D4EE955D4DF67D98C7343FA54B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_RetirementCentersMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_80396533CAD9420180FD98C7343F8303" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_80396533CAD9420180FD98C7343F8303" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_CcrcsRentalMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_B0460E5F6243B75618B598C7343F555C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4AF9AE7FC40E2536485F98C7343F710E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_B0460E5F6243B75618B598C7343F555C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_E4A2697E9EB7C83296EB98C7343F4E5C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_6B2881FE3D94252E6FA898C734374370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_E4A2697E9EB7C83296EB98C7343F4E5C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ACB25EEB546A71D0CC1D98C7343F526D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_E4A2697E9EB7C83296EB98C7343F4E5C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ACB25EEB546A71D0CC1D98C7343F526D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ACB25EEB546A71D0CC1D98C7343F526D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_E4A2697E9EB7C83296EB98C7343F4E5C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ACB25EEB546A71D0CC1D98C7343F526D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember_4E03DBEE38CEC642D61998C7343FBF77" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ACB25EEB546A71D0CC1D98C7343F526D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_SeniorHousingCommunitiesMember_4E03DBEE38CEC642D61998C7343FBF77" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired_F0EA51813EAF429C58B898C7343FB73C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesAcquired_F0EA51813EAF429C58B898C7343FB73C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_046C202AD4D5FE2C390598C7343F1434" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1_046C202AD4D5FE2C390598C7343F1434" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities" xlink:label="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities_0ABBD0122313A7E9065998C7343FE23A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities_0ABBD0122313A7E9065998C7343FE23A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract_D75F122B8C839D3EA4A398C7343FB4FF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesTermOfContract_D75F122B8C839D3EA4A398C7343FB4FF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsLeaseholdInterestsContributedNumberOfCommunities" xlink:label="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsLeaseholdInterestsContributedNumberOfCommunities_CB6D27AD48E233E4F7BE98C7343F69DF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsLeaseholdInterestsContributedNumberOfCommunities_CB6D27AD48E233E4F7BE98C7343F69DF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_B05DBE831FCC7CBD424798C7343F19D9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireEquityMethodInvestments_B05DBE831FCC7CBD424798C7343F19D9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_5BE5A2E329562927884E98C734403039" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_5BE5A2E329562927884E98C734403039" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged" xlink:label="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged_121DDD41FBA46D40943898C7344048E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged_121DDD41FBA46D40943898C7344048E0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated_5F989A7EF3A1FB80498998C73440C45B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfCommunitiesInWhichLeasesWereTerminated_5F989A7EF3A1FB80498998C73440C45B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_BFB78FA77DA0C9EB792498C734455F2D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_BFB78FA77DA0C9EB792498C734455F2D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_2968D7DFC26AE8D13BEC98C734461816" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_2968D7DFC26AE8D13BEC98C734461816" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_D94DEF3EA20EEEBA849698C734467316" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_D94DEF3EA20EEEBA849698C734467316" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount_E2A920494394572DE8AD98C734468D01" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_352E4B404A9C3F8F476498C7343FFC8D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount_E2A920494394572DE8AD98C734468D01" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_466B006676E2B11FC55698C735089DD8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F16AC029FA32F6AB051D98C7350754B8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_466B006676E2B11FC55698C735089DD8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F16AC029FA32F6AB051D98C7350754B8" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_51C43D9B6A6B09C8584B98C73507009D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_F16AC029FA32F6AB051D98C7350754B8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_51C43D9B6A6B09C8584B98C73507009D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B8783129603C30CE183E98C73507BB87_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_51C43D9B6A6B09C8584B98C73507009D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B8783129603C30CE183E98C73507BB87_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B8783129603C30CE183E98C73507BB87" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_51C43D9B6A6B09C8584B98C73507009D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B8783129603C30CE183E98C73507BB87" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1531AD84F677C001B06598C73507FB6E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_B8783129603C30CE183E98C73507BB87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_1531AD84F677C001B06598C73507FB6E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_466B006676E2B11FC55698C735089DD8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_CF44A7376EA740C07C9398C73508F705" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_CF44A7376EA740C07C9398C73508F705" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_415EF096F082B2BD260E98C735087ACA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_415EF096F082B2BD260E98C735087ACA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_9619DE11261C0D01BAA198C73508AC38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued_9619DE11261C0D01BAA198C73508AC38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_85146817FBD39657B96098C73508F9FB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_85146817FBD39657B96098C73508F9FB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_38CF53634B4E46A70AF798C73508258C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_38CF53634B4E46A70AF798C73508258C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_6D8C9B2E8760045084A598C73508D252" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized_6D8C9B2E8760045084A598C73508D252" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_6CCB9D21F21CD7118D8F98C735084B44" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_6CCB9D21F21CD7118D8F98C735084B44" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_02BC070109406DB2E85998C735085A44" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_02BC070109406DB2E85998C735085A44" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_5D81B03331CEFDBEF33798C735084EFB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNumberOfSharesParValueAndOtherDisclosuresAbstract_7ED8F63FA64BBD4DAC7E98C735080E72" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_5D81B03331CEFDBEF33798C735084EFB" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementOfEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3F0578DF35210309D50C98C734BD9BBE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3F0578DF35210309D50C98C734BD9BBE" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_25739B556F13CC03BDD498C734BD278C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_3F0578DF35210309D50C98C734BD9BBE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_25739B556F13CC03BDD498C734BD278C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_25739B556F13CC03BDD498C734BD278C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_25739B556F13CC03BDD498C734BD278C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_B26302BC6A6B31602DA598C734BD9F38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_B26302BC6A6B31602DA598C734BD9F38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_92CBC9863C3E9D7FA2F398C734BD1973" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_92CBC9863C3E9D7FA2F398C734BD1973" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_4D2A4049A6F84A38D0C898C734BD7D9D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_4D2A4049A6F84A38D0C898C734BD7D9D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ED2B0C9C2026FEC5718398C734BE8D4F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ED2B0C9C2026FEC5718398C734BE8D4F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_33904C7CF03B7B110B0998C734BE887B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_33904C7CF03B7B110B0998C734BE887B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_C094E7C02E3CB9EA8C5098C734BED734" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_C7B7825521361D53D0EF98C734BD871D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_C094E7C02E3CB9EA8C5098C734BED734" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_C763F2234F2787096AD798C734BE4521" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_C763F2234F2787096AD798C734BE4521" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_89ECB7CA158486AE1B0098C734BE285F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_89ECB7CA158486AE1B0098C734BE285F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_ED2479DE3C006D12D25A98C734BE8667" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationRestrictedStockUnitsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_ED2479DE3C006D12D25A98C734BE8667" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_23D2E7ACDFF5C9FBB63598C734BE9EC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_23D2E7ACDFF5C9FBB63598C734BE9EC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_E536E39C744DDC5F496298C734BE7527" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_E536E39C744DDC5F496298C734BE7527" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_4B37AF13A566B5B66A2398C734C35DD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_4B37AF13A566B5B66A2398C734C35DD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_B08E99E4D0C53463125998C734C44A52" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_B08E99E4D0C53463125998C734C44A52" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_0F2ECA2B4D5558DE137698C734C4E19E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_0F2ECA2B4D5558DE137698C734C4E19E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_C06D6B62824149BF08DC98C734C47AF5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_C06D6B62824149BF08DC98C734C47AF5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_14FF243ACB083C6D560B98C734C4B401" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_14FF243ACB083C6D560B98C734C4B401" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_54DCD29335E08AA1334998C734C4344D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_383B3ED00B225700717898C734BEA850" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_54DCD29335E08AA1334998C734C4344D" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/Debt2017FinancingsConvertibleDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_C6D066288CA26D64EAD4BD946FF9CF16" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_C6D066288CA26D64EAD4BD946FF9CF16" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B607D654BACFE95F7DBDBD94750B5FB4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_C6D066288CA26D64EAD4BD946FF9CF16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B607D654BACFE95F7DBDBD94750B5FB4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B607D654BACFE95F7DBDBD94750B5FB4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_C6D066288CA26D64EAD4BD946FF9CF16" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B607D654BACFE95F7DBDBD94750B5FB4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_680F699158ECB92FCC2BBD9470A88FBB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_B607D654BACFE95F7DBDBD94750B5FB4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_680F699158ECB92FCC2BBD9470A88FBB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9A1A81934EC1779AE657BD92A553EC49" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9A1A81934EC1779AE657BD92A553EC49" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_CD7AA21AA177372ACB0CBD92A55614D3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9A1A81934EC1779AE657BD92A553EC49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_CD7AA21AA177372ACB0CBD92A55614D3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_CD7AA21AA177372ACB0CBD92A55614D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_9A1A81934EC1779AE657BD92A553EC49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_CD7AA21AA177372ACB0CBD92A55614D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_E1BD90894F79AB4BD914BD92A557080D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_CD7AA21AA177372ACB0CBD92A55614D3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_E1BD90894F79AB4BD914BD92A557080D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_FE065E26413D98F21438BD900A4D88D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_FE065E26413D98F21438BD900A4D88D8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_FE065E26413D98F21438BD900A4D88D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_FE065E26413D98F21438BD900A4D88D8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_BD824E76264183A160B1BD91EA0AB521" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_BD824E76264183A160B1BD91EA0AB521" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_344A32AC497940D60161BD9C26446FAB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_344A32AC497940D60161BD9C26446FAB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_04AB6EAC09DB480CE7A1BD91EA26A0B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_DE1B25BFACB2575F6BE4BD900A4EBB95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_04AB6EAC09DB480CE7A1BD91EA26A0B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_F35451103798CC7579F4BD900A4EAD64" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_BAC6422491B93E4E36E5BD900A4C2F9D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_F35451103798CC7579F4BD900A4EAD64" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_F35451103798CC7579F4BD900A4EAD64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_F35451103798CC7579F4BD900A4EAD64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NonRecourseSupplementalLoanMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NonRecourseSupplementalLoanMember_BCA01CC39D043735CF3CBD926117C9AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NonRecourseSupplementalLoanMember_BCA01CC39D043735CF3CBD926117C9AF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NonRecourseFirstMortgagesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NonRecourseFirstMortgagesMember_AC9EC955DE2AC06DDBEFBD926098F330" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NonRecourseFirstMortgagesMember_AC9EC955DE2AC06DDBEFBD926098F330" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_MortgageDebtDueApril2018Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_MortgageDebtDueApril2018Member_B60F2BE13443A9027EADBD9260CE4943" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:to="loc_bkd_MortgageDebtDueApril2018Member_B60F2BE13443A9027EADBD9260CE4943" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_MortgageDebtDueJanuary2021Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_MortgageDebtDueJanuary2021Member_CA6BCE6FCC193AC0AE59BD9260F5D388" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:to="loc_bkd_MortgageDebtDueJanuary2021Member_CA6BCE6FCC193AC0AE59BD9260F5D388" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member_BF46488B9F7C7321329ABD92613E8852" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_A91A2AC1AC1ADA9302B5BD900A4F5764" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member_BF46488B9F7C7321329ABD92613E8852" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_396A9821C94FBF4D0AC5BD914AF6676E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_396A9821C94FBF4D0AC5BD914AF6676E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCommunitiesSecuringDebt" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCommunitiesSecuringDebt_4CFF7D588540BC9D1265BD914B38728D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentNumberOfCommunitiesSecuringDebt_4CFF7D588540BC9D1265BD914B38728D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_D5BA91C34DB29951FD3BBD914B67B135" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_D5BA91C34DB29951FD3BBD914B67B135" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfDebtInstrumentsRefinanced" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfDebtInstrumentsRefinanced_03B6838AAE45ED07EFB6BD914B954CF3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfDebtInstrumentsRefinanced_03B6838AAE45ED07EFB6BD914B954CF3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ProceedsFromDebtRefinancing" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ProceedsFromDebtRefinancing_171DEEE9695EFA192438BD914BB69BE5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ProceedsFromDebtRefinancing_171DEEE9695EFA192438BD914BB69BE5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount_8D4C67DC01CF22B08AD3BD914BD48E95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount_8D4C67DC01CF22B08AD3BD914BD48E95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_FD6E36298A449CDC970DBD914BED9303" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_FD6E36298A449CDC970DBD914BED9303" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_6C911E0B490D4A27337BBD914C055E8B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingFixedInterestRate_6C911E0B490D4A27337BBD914C055E8B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_627CFB04ABDA3F2AA744BD914C1889AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtPercentageBearingVariableInterestRate_627CFB04ABDA3F2AA744BD914C1889AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_DC0C2A7F3CB0A5B54A41BD946F71EA39" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_DC0C2A7F3CB0A5B54A41BD946F71EA39" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent_48108B1E51A0FE242F19BD914C3068C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_4302D1F197F963414751BD900A5A908D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtCurrent_48108B1E51A0FE242F19BD914C3068C3" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_800E8AE07A3B9DEDBEBBBD8B6FFBC8B8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_800E8AE07A3B9DEDBEBBBD8B6FFBC8B8" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_794E7E9EADA1B54D7B44BD8B6FFC6C32" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_800E8AE07A3B9DEDBEBBBD8B6FFBC8B8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_794E7E9EADA1B54D7B44BD8B6FFC6C32" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_794E7E9EADA1B54D7B44BD8B6FFC6C32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_794E7E9EADA1B54D7B44BD8B6FFC6C32" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_2DB1EBFC25D25E3551BABD8B6FFC8359" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_2DB1EBFC25D25E3551BABD8B6FFC8359" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember_FC06226AF7DD4CFCE6AFBD8B6FFD7946" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember_FC06226AF7DD4CFCE6AFBD8B6FFD7946" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_6CCE1C12235ABBF300B8BD8B6FFD9625" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_6CCE1C12235ABBF300B8BD8B6FFD9625" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_238005142C4FBFDA93CBBD8B6FFDB4B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionLoansMember_238005142C4FBFDA93CBBD8B6FFDB4B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_8BC73F40B3E5A37ABD5DBD8B6FFD45B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_8BC73F40B3E5A37ABD5DBD8B6FFD45B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_43ABE4172B998449E84DBD8B6FFDE235" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2D831377ECA3189E940FBD8B6FFCA6B4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableOtherPayablesMember_43ABE4172B998449E84DBD8B6FFDE235" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_73832C20EF61D56C48FFBD8B7003BE9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_73832C20EF61D56C48FFBD8B7003BE9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_486CAAF2B5E08416A95CBD8B7008876F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent_486CAAF2B5E08416A95CBD8B7008876F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_2B7AF3EAFE19BFBBABACBD8B700822C4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_2B7AF3EAFE19BFBBABACBD8B700822C4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_204C13F6D07DEAEC1DF4BD8B7009EDDC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_204C13F6D07DEAEC1DF4BD8B7009EDDC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_BCB183F616E8FB2577B9BD8B70096820" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount_BCB183F616E8FB2577B9BD8B70096820" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_B09B24E70939C96707F7BD8B7009EA1C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_00420130D3593B4EFBEDBD8B700290E9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_B09B24E70939C96707F7BD8B7009EA1C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtLineOfCreditDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9123E7D77E00EB2CFB75BD8B6C89BB44" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9123E7D77E00EB2CFB75BD8B6C89BB44" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9123E7D77E00EB2CFB75BD8B6C89BB44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9123E7D77E00EB2CFB75BD8B6C89BB44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_BBE81380450E1C2BB9DBBD8B6C89DF1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_BBE81380450E1C2BB9DBBD8B6C89DF1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_LetterOfCreditSublimitMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_LetterOfCreditSublimitMember_2519E4BFBD33D8B2FD44BD8B6C8AA51B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_LetterOfCreditSublimitMember_2519E4BFBD33D8B2FD44BD8B6C8AA51B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_SwinglineLineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_SwinglineLineOfCreditMember_2EDC208DD9F5A37BAC37BD8B6C8AC6B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_SwinglineLineOfCreditMember_2EDC208DD9F5A37BAC37BD8B6C8AC6B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_OptionToIncreaseMaximumBorrowingCapacityMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_OptionToIncreaseMaximumBorrowingCapacityMember_6C5CE3F70A0219A9ED0EBD8B6C8A6B85" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:to="loc_bkd_OptionToIncreaseMaximumBorrowingCapacityMember_6C5CE3F70A0219A9ED0EBD8B6C8A6B85" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_D49F8E39C595F0BAD156BD8B6C8A4956" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_AC4DA3D0CF695750C718BD8B6C89322E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_D49F8E39C595F0BAD156BD8B6C8A4956" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_2E66A4B854A17F5C4F1BBD8B6C8BD0B3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_2E66A4B854A17F5C4F1BBD8B6C8BD0B3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_A96D68ABD149956AA14FBD8B6C8BD9BA_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_2E66A4B854A17F5C4F1BBD8B6C8BD0B3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_A96D68ABD149956AA14FBD8B6C8BD9BA_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_A96D68ABD149956AA14FBD8B6C8BD9BA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_2E66A4B854A17F5C4F1BBD8B6C8BD0B3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_A96D68ABD149956AA14FBD8B6C8BD9BA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_FourthAmendedandRestatedCreditAgreementMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_FourthAmendedandRestatedCreditAgreementMember_75474AB31F4BF328D0C0BD8B6C8CD29A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_A96D68ABD149956AA14FBD8B6C8BD9BA" xlink:to="loc_bkd_FourthAmendedandRestatedCreditAgreementMember_75474AB31F4BF328D0C0BD8B6C8CD29A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_930CF7449734ECCB915EBD8B6C8C2EF4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_930CF7449734ECCB915EBD8B6C8C2EF4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_D6A0DA56A0F5ECC55936BD8B6C8C81FE_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_930CF7449734ECCB915EBD8B6C8C2EF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_D6A0DA56A0F5ECC55936BD8B6C8C81FE_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_D6A0DA56A0F5ECC55936BD8B6C8C81FE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_930CF7449734ECCB915EBD8B6C8C2EF4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_D6A0DA56A0F5ECC55936BD8B6C8C81FE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_B5C1BB225490965EDE91BD8B6C8D8CE5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_D6A0DA56A0F5ECC55936BD8B6C8C81FE" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_B5C1BB225490965EDE91BD8B6C8D8CE5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_17BD73A95F8972A7884CBD8B6C8DCA0F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_17BD73A95F8972A7884CBD8B6C8DCA0F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3C0768D87954E0471124BD8B6C8E15EF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_17BD73A95F8972A7884CBD8B6C8DCA0F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3C0768D87954E0471124BD8B6C8E15EF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3C0768D87954E0471124BD8B6C8E15EF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_17BD73A95F8972A7884CBD8B6C8DCA0F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3C0768D87954E0471124BD8B6C8E15EF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_9C617EBAC7D74989E544BD8B6C8E24B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3C0768D87954E0471124BD8B6C8E15EF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember_9C617EBAC7D74989E544BD8B6C8E24B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_6E8578906B92B5B014FDBD8B6C8E4F7A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_6E8578906B92B5B014FDBD8B6C8E4F7A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_6E8578906B92B5B014FDBD8B6C8E4F7A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeAxis_6E8578906B92B5B014FDBD8B6C8E4F7A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_AB15DFE8E578FF8532E1BD8B6C8E5140" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinimumMember_AB15DFE8E578FF8532E1BD8B6C8E5140" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_2F16510392F342E8EBF4BD8B6C8EC432" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RangeMember_920D717543B5AAAAC143BD8B6C8E109F" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaximumMember_2F16510392F342E8EBF4BD8B6C8EC432" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis_41A6CAD6D74B6156A634BD8B6C8F0DEB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_DBEF3C7824F245B87DBFBD8B6C842E46" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis_41A6CAD6D74B6156A634BD8B6C8F0DEB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis_41A6CAD6D74B6156A634BD8B6C8F0DEB" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementAxis_41A6CAD6D74B6156A634BD8B6C8F0DEB" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ApplicableMarginLessThanOrEqualTo35UtilizationMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginLessThanOrEqualTo35UtilizationMember_5E46DDB682EE2EAF2A4ABD8B6C8FAB80" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginLessThanOrEqualTo35UtilizationMember_5E46DDB682EE2EAF2A4ABD8B6C8FAB80" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan35ButLessThanOrEqualTo50UtilizationMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan35ButLessThanOrEqualTo50UtilizationMember_88AF9F93D36AF9A11B3CBD8B6C8F1946" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan35ButLessThanOrEqualTo50UtilizationMember_88AF9F93D36AF9A11B3CBD8B6C8F1946" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan50UtilizationMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan50UtilizationMember_582CF61D2DB3110BD193BD8B6C908C08" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ApplicableMarginGreaterThan50UtilizationMember_582CF61D2DB3110BD193BD8B6C908C08" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageGreaterThanOrEqualTo50Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageGreaterThanOrEqualTo50Member_267200FEBF3DCE8792F9BD8B6C90D067" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:to="loc_bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageGreaterThanOrEqualTo50Member_267200FEBF3DCE8792F9BD8B6C90D067" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageLessThan50Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageLessThan50Member_2A8ABB2DD9C7B3D5AEF9BD8B6C907C8A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentTermOfAgreementDomain_2B866C755796E5B9A2C0BD8B6C8F8587" xlink:to="loc_bkd_UnusedCommitmentFeeOutstandingDebtPercentageLessThan50Member_2A8ABB2DD9C7B3D5AEF9BD8B6C907C8A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_FA2B8FDD8D85C1223C9EBD8B6C9065F2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_FA2B8FDD8D85C1223C9EBD8B6C9065F2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_AE6CDB3A7D7AE7978378BD8B6C918C1C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_AE6CDB3A7D7AE7978378BD8B6C918C1C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_LineOfCreditFacilityFacilityUtilizationPercentage" xlink:label="loc_bkd_LineOfCreditFacilityFacilityUtilizationPercentage_B25A8DAAB5485FD8A46EBD8B6C91F762" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_bkd_LineOfCreditFacilityFacilityUtilizationPercentage_B25A8DAAB5485FD8A46EBD8B6C91F762" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_CF6EDB2C3D00562F61DCBD8B6C91C400" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_CF6EDB2C3D00562F61DCBD8B6C91C400" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_LineOfCreditPercentageOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_bkd_LineOfCreditPercentageOutstanding_5F39EA7D816FCC9F6F5DBD8B6C91624B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_bkd_LineOfCreditPercentageOutstanding_5F39EA7D816FCC9F6F5DBD8B6C91624B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_PercentageOfLoanAvailabilityFromPledgedAssetsFromMortgagedAssetsMaximum" xlink:label="loc_bkd_PercentageOfLoanAvailabilityFromPledgedAssetsFromMortgagedAssetsMaximum_2EA406ED3998B7A65887BD8B6C915BB0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_bkd_PercentageOfLoanAvailabilityFromPledgedAssetsFromMortgagedAssetsMaximum_2EA406ED3998B7A65887BD8B6C915BB0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit_C5240F488F0B745A63EEBD8B6C91EC0E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit_C5240F488F0B745A63EEBD8B6C91EC0E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_60998183F7E4BE7245A5BD8B6C91B9C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_32825ECC327CD7F0BF84BD8B6C90F463" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_60998183F7E4BE7245A5BD8B6C91B9C6" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/DescriptionOfBusiness" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_34109472CA8CB65D498998C73466A602" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_34109472CA8CB65D498998C73466A602" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_FCA8353328178D3F236A98C73467FA36" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_34109472CA8CB65D498998C73466A602" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_FCA8353328178D3F236A98C73467FA36" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_24828DEBE3F23A552C5998C7346789C6_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_FCA8353328178D3F236A98C73467FA36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_24828DEBE3F23A552C5998C7346789C6_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_24828DEBE3F23A552C5998C7346789C6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_FCA8353328178D3F236A98C73467FA36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_24828DEBE3F23A552C5998C7346789C6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member_EB88E90C5D32416C186F98C734675159" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_24828DEBE3F23A552C5998C7346789C6" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueJune2018Member_EB88E90C5D32416C186F98C734675159" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_699502630ACF1244B02098C7346759CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_34109472CA8CB65D498998C73466A602" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_699502630ACF1244B02098C7346759CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4E2D089717EAABD97FA098C734676667_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_699502630ACF1244B02098C7346759CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4E2D089717EAABD97FA098C734676667_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4E2D089717EAABD97FA098C734676667" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_699502630ACF1244B02098C7346759CD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4E2D089717EAABD97FA098C734676667" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_8CE953AEB85C7D53912598C73467ACCB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4E2D089717EAABD97FA098C734676667" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtMember_8CE953AEB85C7D53912598C73467ACCB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_0E526A20CF54926585EA98C734678BF0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_34109472CA8CB65D498998C73466A602" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_0E526A20CF54926585EA98C734678BF0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_0E526A20CF54926585EA98C734678BF0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_0E526A20CF54926585EA98C734678BF0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_3F4C87AF07FC4DFAFCC698C734684A5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_3F4C87AF07FC4DFAFCC698C734684A5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_0AABBA27F8E096DA546198C73468A932" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_0AABBA27F8E096DA546198C73468A932" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WarrantMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_C66222E2EAA3D61113C898C734688E98" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_28B2EDB0B93ACCD3C7A698C734681476" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WarrantMember_C66222E2EAA3D61113C898C734688E98" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_CCDC57A91F2EF32E1C8398C73468AF8D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_CCDC57A91F2EF32E1C8398C73468AF8D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_7F35F24DA527EDF9953498C734689C2E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_7F35F24DA527EDF9953498C734689C2E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_00AF4DE9FBD9ECDB89A198C734687DD8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_00AF4DE9FBD9ECDB89A198C734687DD8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtInstrumentConvertibleMaximumNumberOfEquityInstrument" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentConvertibleMaximumNumberOfEquityInstrument_2F6A5924FE0BEF4A9B7A98C73468D6D0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_AF02BEF876617760251798C7346875F8" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtInstrumentConvertibleMaximumNumberOfEquityInstrument_2F6A5924FE0BEF4A9B7A98C73468D6D0" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeases" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeasesDetails" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/FacilityOperatingLeasesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNet" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_F397FB47DFF24175E38898C733FC8E6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_F397FB47DFF24175E38898C733FC8E6A" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_460105BBFE835359F0D798C733FC38BB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_F397FB47DFF24175E38898C733FC8E6A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_460105BBFE835359F0D798C733FC38BB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_460105BBFE835359F0D798C733FC38BB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_460105BBFE835359F0D798C733FC38BB" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_RetirementCentersMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_D79650F34FDFF2FA84A098C733FD28AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5" xlink:to="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_D79650F34FDFF2FA84A098C733FD28AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AssistedLivingMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_F13DD5A14133E1184C3398C733FD7602" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_F13DD5A14133E1184C3398C733FD7602" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember_C199307AF892946FCD8698C733FD1227" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_68AA05467C85E0BA06A298C733FDB4B5" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember_C199307AF892946FCD8698C733FD1227" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_63BC15B7626441965E2C98C733FD288C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_63BC15B7626441965E2C98C733FD288C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_F353E1AFD60F6B39F7EE98C733FDB654" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_F353E1AFD60F6B39F7EE98C733FDB654" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_9DCAC36FA44AFE176C5798C733FD8CA2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_9DCAC36FA44AFE176C5798C733FD8CA2" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_C682D318D9EB4A28E4AE98C733FDB242" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_C1394BA63263299BA40F98C733FDB4FF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss_C682D318D9EB4A28E4AE98C733FDB242" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable_D19DE4FB94EBE196BF0F98C733FDC322" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable_D19DE4FB94EBE196BF0F98C733FDC322" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_0A9AD0C8952F2F89981998C733FD849A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassTable_D19DE4FB94EBE196BF0F98C733FDC322" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_0A9AD0C8952F2F89981998C733FD849A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_0A9AD0C8952F2F89981998C733FD849A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_0A9AD0C8952F2F89981998C733FD849A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_CommunityPurchaseOptionsMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_CommunityPurchaseOptionsMember_736BB635FE6446F7309898C733FE6CF7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:to="loc_bkd_CommunityPurchaseOptionsMember_736BB635FE6446F7309898C733FE6CF7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_HealthCareLicensesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_HealthCareLicensesMember_CF74D70B93F1CB1156E898C733FE8331" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:to="loc_bkd_HealthCareLicensesMember_CF74D70B93F1CB1156E898C733FE8331" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_7F35F6017EE27B576F6E98C733FEF370" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_7F35F6017EE27B576F6E98C733FEF370" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractBasedIntangibleAssetsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_470F2D27EF924BE986BA98C733FEA23E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_IntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_E2395BB8B92AA718EF8898C733FD0B1B" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_470F2D27EF924BE986BA98C733FEA23E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross" xlink:label="loc_bkd_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_8A1CAFE92C648A0642E698C733FE6BB8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:to="loc_bkd_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_8A1CAFE92C648A0642E698C733FE6BB8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_DBBC605EE02667EB1D6598C733FE4962" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_DBBC605EE02667EB1D6598C733FE4962" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_A4BF0A38C54064DE2E7998C733FEBDB3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_A4BF0A38C54064DE2E7998C733FEBDB3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_0B91E3C052AE20A1785298C733FEA357" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_bkd_ScheduleOfIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassLineItems_AE739BCAED6F400C545898C733FE0FCD" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_0B91E3C052AE20A1785298C733FEA357" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsNetTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_E505E29CD3EDEEE4778B98C733B72B75" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_A900376665F1799AA52698C733B7AF54" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_E505E29CD3EDEEE4778B98C733B72B75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_A900376665F1799AA52698C733B7AF54" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_9BD427D592B115E2DB3A98C733B78C71" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_A900376665F1799AA52698C733B7AF54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_9BD427D592B115E2DB3A98C733B78C71" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_9BD427D592B115E2DB3A98C733B78C71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_9BD427D592B115E2DB3A98C733B78C71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_AC108E176ECB717F71DC98C733B7F685" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9" xlink:to="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_AC108E176ECB717F71DC98C733B7F685" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AdoptionOfAccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AdoptionOfAccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_3181D94BF9C001C2097898C733B7D142" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8282601736FB2CE69A0698C733B757E9" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AdoptionOfAccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member_3181D94BF9C001C2097898C733B7D142" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount_4E7B39C1A8E3F87A0C8398C733B7721E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_E505E29CD3EDEEE4778B98C733B72B75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount_4E7B39C1A8E3F87A0C8398C733B7721E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_GrossDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:label="loc_bkd_GrossDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_F8679FD8D97265F8C57498C733B84E8C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_E505E29CD3EDEEE4778B98C733B72B75" xlink:to="loc_bkd_GrossDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_F8679FD8D97265F8C57498C733B84E8C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_018285D2C1FDD44E86BF98C733B87AE2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_E505E29CD3EDEEE4778B98C733B72B75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_018285D2C1FDD44E86BF98C733B87AE2" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/Litigation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_F01BE211A24DFAD088B898C733F0CB15" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_F01BE211A24DFAD088B898C733F0CB15" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1C030A313A6CD1BF42DD98C733F06859" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_F01BE211A24DFAD088B898C733F0CB15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1C030A313A6CD1BF42DD98C733F06859" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1C030A313A6CD1BF42DD98C733F06859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1C030A313A6CD1BF42DD98C733F06859" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_E33FF3F693238604417998C733F01585" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_E33FF3F693238604417998C733F01585" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_D73EE58CD6E7499B81B398C733F00B83" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_D73EE58CD6E7499B81B398C733F00B83" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7A5286883558BCCF1C8F98C733F0A1B8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_7A5286883558BCCF1C8F98C733F0A1B8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_4BCB7C316D94463E58E498C733F06653" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_4BCB7C316D94463E58E498C733F06653" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ResidentAndLeaseholdOperatingIntangiblesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ResidentAndLeaseholdOperatingIntangiblesMember_887AA760E5D2163963D898C733F0C208" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ResidentAndLeaseholdOperatingIntangiblesMember_887AA760E5D2163963D898C733F0C208" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_F996A525112B375C6D7998C733F00490" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConstructionInProgressMember_F996A525112B375C6D7998C733F00490" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember_EC2095EE324FA0EF061798C733F00D5D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_3F1B35D8F7C44D05B88098C733F0D96A" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldUnderCapitalLeasesMember_EC2095EE324FA0EF061798C733F00D5D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_12E257EDAE6E03EB918198C733F1A73D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_12E257EDAE6E03EB918198C733F1A73D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_22ECB9F3DB3A933706D898C733F12803" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_22ECB9F3DB3A933706D898C733F12803" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_DA4B06012E56EE2B532798C733F10382" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_DA4B06012E56EE2B532798C733F10382" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_E37AF933519004B33F4898C733F1C70C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_0272B77D85440AD378C398C733F07AD1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_E37AF933519004B33F4898C733F1C70C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNetTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_279DBA9D4AE8D342485DBD9497B48C1D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_279DBA9D4AE8D342485DBD9497B48C1D" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_F53B05F46A742CD9C3CABD9497B4AB44" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_279DBA9D4AE8D342485DBD9497B48C1D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_F53B05F46A742CD9C3CABD9497B4AB44" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_C1CD72B3C6CC780ED9FCBD9497B491D1_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_F53B05F46A742CD9C3CABD9497B4AB44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_C1CD72B3C6CC780ED9FCBD9497B491D1_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_C1CD72B3C6CC780ED9FCBD9497B491D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis_F53B05F46A742CD9C3CABD9497B4AB44" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_C1CD72B3C6CC780ED9FCBD9497B491D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_AEEB6B42ACDA5A2CEB6BBD9497B5BA26" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsDomain_C1CD72B3C6CC780ED9FCBD9497B491D1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_AEEB6B42ACDA5A2CEB6BBD9497B5BA26" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9FD253FC269DAB63CDE1BD9497B5389C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_279DBA9D4AE8D342485DBD9497B48C1D" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9FD253FC269DAB63CDE1BD9497B5389C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9FD253FC269DAB63CDE1BD9497B5389C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9FD253FC269DAB63CDE1BD9497B5389C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_RetirementCentersMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_7D308916CB208AD8235BBD9497BC73A1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_RetirementCentersMember_7D308916CB208AD8235BBD9497BC73A1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AssistedLivingMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_27AC8239C2D6A69085E9BD9497BCFD7A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AssistedLivingMember_27AC8239C2D6A69085E9BD9497BCFD7A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_CcrcsRentalMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_3A7804A25BCE3419D705BD9497BC961D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_CcrcsRentalMember_3A7804A25BCE3419D705BD9497BC961D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember_365956E63D0E43B227F4BD9497BC5150" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BrookdaleAncillaryServicesMember_365956E63D0E43B227F4BD9497BC5150" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ManagementServicesMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ManagementServicesMember_FBE912CDBFEFBC58E9A5BD9497BD1216" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_D049803132DC3BA23997BD9497BB2D4F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ManagementServicesMember_FBE912CDBFEFBC58E9A5BD9497BD1216" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0DE99E1A6CA9E2BA2A26BD9497BDD996" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_0DE99E1A6CA9E2BA2A26BD9497BDD996" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GrossProfit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_906165F358E9F25900B3BD9497BEBB90" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GrossProfit_906165F358E9F25900B3BD9497BEBB90" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_582C0E72AF2B3A6D41ABBD9497BE9881" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_582C0E72AF2B3A6D41ABBD9497BE9881" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_A233513017082906529DBD9497BEBF6D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_A233513017082906529DBD9497BEBF6D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_98FB199AA70F9B5D4159BD9497BEC927" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense_98FB199AA70F9B5D4159BD9497BEC927" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_12BC1AA7DDB5F062D5D5BD9497BF96CB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_12BC1AA7DDB5F062D5D5BD9497BF96CB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_D45A6E66F8871C64A6DEBD9497C4278F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_D45A6E66F8871C64A6DEBD9497C4278F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_E2D9DF2D2C28B2B3AF8FBD9497C4CE6C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_E2D9DF2D2C28B2B3AF8FBD9497C4CE6C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_13AAB2678F9454128F3CBD9497C4C715" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_13AAB2678F9454128F3CBD9497C4C715" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_8CBFEEEAD644657502DBBD9497C4ECF2" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_B0C93E977DF96F6CA56FBD9497BD4772" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_8CBFEEEAD644657502DBBD9497C4ECF2" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_36E2BFD42D71E4FBE49898C73409EBB7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_07A0E0789F67CDAC0AA198C73409355C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_36E2BFD42D71E4FBE49898C73409EBB7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_07A0E0789F67CDAC0AA198C73409355C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_C2B791CEF7C0FA7F0D7098C73409F7A8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_07A0E0789F67CDAC0AA198C73409355C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_C2B791CEF7C0FA7F0D7098C73409F7A8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_44A2EB3FFF0A1C480B9898C73409EFC8_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_C2B791CEF7C0FA7F0D7098C73409F7A8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_44A2EB3FFF0A1C480B9898C73409EFC8_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_44A2EB3FFF0A1C480B9898C73409EFC8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_C2B791CEF7C0FA7F0D7098C73409F7A8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_44A2EB3FFF0A1C480B9898C73409EFC8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_4DDF2E90EE5FCC72D52F98C734098A1A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_44A2EB3FFF0A1C480B9898C73409EFC8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_4DDF2E90EE5FCC72D52F98C734098A1A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_E85EECFF33970EE913D498C73409D93C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_36E2BFD42D71E4FBE49898C73409EBB7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_E85EECFF33970EE913D498C73409D93C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ShareBasedCompensationSharesValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ShareBasedCompensationSharesValuePerShare_9F469FE3504A757E3F3A98C734095173" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_36E2BFD42D71E4FBE49898C73409EBB7" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ShareBasedCompensationSharesValuePerShare_9F469FE3504A757E3F3A98C734095173" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_6D667AD6516EE46845A598C73409D237" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_36E2BFD42D71E4FBE49898C73409EBB7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_6D667AD6516EE46845A598C73409D237" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F288AFCD8AD48D3C38A8A9B33C4B8A23" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F288AFCD8AD48D3C38A8A9B33C4B8A23" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_8ED7D6930C5B674558BDA9B33C4CAA58" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_F288AFCD8AD48D3C38A8A9B33C4B8A23" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_8ED7D6930C5B674558BDA9B33C4CAA58" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_78C50F96A6EC5826E2B1A9B33C52ED0B_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_8ED7D6930C5B674558BDA9B33C4CAA58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_78C50F96A6EC5826E2B1A9B33C52ED0B_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_A9CE3E96C0AD322E2FAEA9B33C5109DC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_8ED7D6930C5B674558BDA9B33C4CAA58" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_A9CE3E96C0AD322E2FAEA9B33C5109DC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_78C50F96A6EC5826E2B1A9B33C52ED0B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_A9CE3E96C0AD322E2FAEA9B33C5109DC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_78C50F96A6EC5826E2B1A9B33C52ED0B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_FD3E128D938CD08AC9F3A9B33C522C6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_A9CE3E96C0AD322E2FAEA9B33C5109DC" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_FD3E128D938CD08AC9F3A9B33C522C6A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMinimum" xlink:label="loc_bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMinimum_1AA6E5E203C017ADF18DA9B33C52C1E4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:to="loc_bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMinimum_1AA6E5E203C017ADF18DA9B33C52C1E4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMaximum" xlink:label="loc_bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMaximum_C76E1B6458F666F765E8A9B33C52ED7F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:to="loc_bkd_TermOfResidencyAgreementsMaximum_C76E1B6458F666F765E8A9B33C52ED7F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_8116A38B52878B5A3B1EA9B33C52F4D3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations_8116A38B52878B5A3B1EA9B33C52F4D3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve_46F8ED5393C0491ACCBBA9B390611390" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_F2CF898AAA0658840CC1A9B33C52C16C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReserve_46F8ED5393C0491ACCBBA9B390611390" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformation" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_2447699DE82D3E86DCA3C273A4AC9C3C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_2447699DE82D3E86DCA3C273A4AC9C3C" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_79EB5D4AB9BCFE751DA7C273A4ACEDFF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsTable_2447699DE82D3E86DCA3C273A4AC9C3C" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_79EB5D4AB9BCFE751DA7C273A4ACEDFF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_79EB5D4AB9BCFE751DA7C273A4ACEDFF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsByUniqueDescriptionAxis_79EB5D4AB9BCFE751DA7C273A4ACEDFF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_AdditionsToPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_AdditionsToPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember_C1154E40772C68D26532C273A4ADE1B8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:to="loc_bkd_AdditionsToPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdImprovementsMember_C1154E40772C68D26532C273A4ADE1B8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember_2CAE32B87D03C4F7B4EEC273A4ADBDA5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeriesOfIndividuallyImmaterialBusinessAcquisitionsMember_2CAE32B87D03C4F7B4EEC273A4ADBDA5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNetMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNetMember_9BFE3AE7FDAC496C7CE9C273A4AD4D94" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ProceedsFromSaleOfAssetsNetMember_9BFE3AE7FDAC496C7CE9C273A4AD4D94" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_545DEC1A0DF6E5F4AF25C273A4ADFBB8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:to="loc_bkd_FormationofBlackstoneJointVentureMember_545DEC1A0DF6E5F4AF25C273A4ADFBB8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_57298E9077A7A3B98C69C273A4ADBF01" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNameDomain_36FD0E7F9B56D78C62E9C273A4AC7EEF" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupHeldforsaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember_57298E9077A7A3B98C69C273A4ADBF01" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_F3A6A169F3E37BF73745C273A4AD77B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_F3A6A169F3E37BF73745C273A4AD77B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_705AE8F0AA7A761286CDC273A4AE538F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_F3A6A169F3E37BF73745C273A4AD77B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_705AE8F0AA7A761286CDC273A4AE538F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_9A6FED2C2FA17BD8CF62C273A4AE4D24" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SupplementalCashFlowInformationAbstract_F3A6A169F3E37BF73745C273A4AD77B7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNet_9A6FED2C2FA17BD8CF62C273A4AE4D24" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNetNonmonetaryAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNetNonmonetaryAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed1_7D05A0AB28466704AA3FC273A4AE0A50" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionNetNonmonetaryAssetsAcquiredLiabilitiesAssumed1_7D05A0AB28466704AA3FC273A4AE0A50" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable_4462BB9BA2E569EB2187C273A4B4982A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayable_4462BB9BA2E569EB2187C273A4B4982A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_068C0C0592C68BBC08EAC273A4B40E5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_068C0C0592C68BBC08EAC273A4B40E5E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet_B37B2AE3EA29C7F36205C273A4B54DB0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionIntangibleAssetsAcquiredNet_B37B2AE3EA29C7F36205C273A4B54DB0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired_3EB96231248463D0751BC273A4B51CEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired_3EB96231248463D0751BC273A4B51CEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_5B7D7D9E52FF2F1C20B2C273A4B55C05" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets_5B7D7D9E52FF2F1C20B2C273A4B55C05" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetsHeldForSale" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetsHeldForSale_25DB86C315E8956390EFC273A4B59B4B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetsHeldForSale_25DB86C315E8956390EFC273A4B59B4B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet_A0B2B1032345B2BD10E9C273A4B52800" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInPropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndLeaseholdIntangiblesNet_A0B2B1032345B2BD10E9C273A4B52800" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture_5ED9E514680EBE75FA9CC273A4B6F69D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfInterestInJointVenture_5ED9E514680EBE75FA9CC273A4B6F69D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt_E846244A4A942AB64D4FC273A4B6B210" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInLongTermDebt_E846244A4A942AB64D4FC273A4B6B210" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableEntranceFeesAndDeferredRevenue" xlink:label="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableEntranceFeesAndDeferredRevenue_30E7367A339C7D36483EC273A4B6C1B6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="12" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_IncreaseDecreaseInRefundableEntranceFeesAndDeferredRevenue_30E7367A339C7D36483EC273A4B6C1B6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_4C389B632A3028692F59C273A4B64939" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="13" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_4C389B632A3028692F59C273A4B64939" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_3CE5B32BB198CA3292FEC273A4B61008" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="14" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal_3CE5B32BB198CA3292FEC273A4B61008" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_FF70C8936D47A2A17B98C273A4B70246" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="15" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnTerminationOfLease_FF70C8936D47A2A17B98C273A4B70246" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_ProceedsRepaymentsfromSaleofPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet" xlink:label="loc_bkd_ProceedsRepaymentsfromSaleofPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet_58EDADE0B073F5E91291C273A4B70A22" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="16" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_ProceedsRepaymentsfromSaleofPropertyPlantandEquipmentNet_58EDADE0B073F5E91291C273A4B70A22" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_5C5728D5771D54C4EC84C273A4B77C0F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="17" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments_5C5728D5771D54C4EC84C273A4B77C0F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionConsiderationToJointVenture" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionConsiderationToJointVenture_4C4DD32FFD462580A999C273A4B71FC0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="18" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NoncashorPartNoncashAcquisitionConsiderationToJointVenture_4C4DD32FFD462580A999C273A4B71FC0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities_309D521C6FE4E213956BC273A4B73DEF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="19" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredLiabilities_309D521C6FE4E213956BC273A4B73DEF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionOtherLiabilitiesAssumed1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionOtherLiabilitiesAssumed1_E4063E44FE7B69E90712C273A4B71279" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="20" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionOtherLiabilitiesAssumed1_E4063E44FE7B69E90712C273A4B71279" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_824DAD1A35EBB308951EC273A4B75901" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="21" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireInterestInJointVenture_824DAD1A35EBB308951EC273A4B75901" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleLongLivedFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleLongLivedFairValueDisclosure_DF78381A6B8721FCF6BAC273A4B76BBC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="22" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsHeldForSaleLongLivedFairValueDisclosure_DF78381A6B8721FCF6BAC273A4B76BBC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_44682DA88C38F37627D3C273A4B73AFB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="23" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_44682DA88C38F37627D3C273A4B73AFB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_A7DE662F0B2EDE499475C273A4B79309" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="24" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_A7DE662F0B2EDE499475C273A4B79309" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_Net" xlink:label="loc_bkd_Net_3FEF1769CB00BE9799B0C273A4B7570C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="25" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashAcquisitionsLineItems_6BDDD18A4047036005E0C273A4ADBB51" xlink:to="loc_bkd_Net_3FEF1769CB00BE9799B0C273A4B7570C" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/SupplementalDisclosureOfCashFlowInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntities" xlink:type="extended" />
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_DC517FB176FE8F93EB7198C733AAAF64" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_DC517FB176FE8F93EB7198C733AAAF64" xlink:type="arc" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_55B57DD84DF81C4A343D98C733AACA8E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_DC517FB176FE8F93EB7198C733AAAF64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_55B57DD84DF81C4A343D98C733AACA8E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_A179ED164A14B5B23B4698C733AA42A3_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_55B57DD84DF81C4A343D98C733AACA8E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_A179ED164A14B5B23B4698C733AA42A3_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_A179ED164A14B5B23B4698C733AA42A3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_55B57DD84DF81C4A343D98C733AACA8E" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_A179ED164A14B5B23B4698C733AA42A3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_056228CE2C89A5FCE16498C733AAA099" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_A179ED164A14B5B23B4698C733AA42A3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_056228CE2C89A5FCE16498C733AAA099" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_81C48BB13BAA1E471A1B98C733AA90A4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_DC517FB176FE8F93EB7198C733AAAF64" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_81C48BB13BAA1E471A1B98C733AA90A4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6C6EC8C7C1840F4EEDB698C733AB9F78_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_81C48BB13BAA1E471A1B98C733AA90A4" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6C6EC8C7C1840F4EEDB698C733AB9F78_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6C6EC8C7C1840F4EEDB698C733AB9F78" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_81C48BB13BAA1E471A1B98C733AA90A4" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6C6EC8C7C1840F4EEDB698C733AB9F78" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_HCPInc.Member" xlink:label="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_3DB3C92084C91963137998C733ABAD41" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_6C6EC8C7C1840F4EEDB698C733AB9F78" xlink:to="loc_bkd_HCPInc.Member_3DB3C92084C91963137998C733ABAD41" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_C13A2589B78378A8547A98C733AB3496" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfVariableInterestEntitiesTable_DC517FB176FE8F93EB7198C733AAAF64" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_C13A2589B78378A8547A98C733AB3496" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F_default" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_C13A2589B78378A8547A98C733AB3496" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F_default" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis_C13A2589B78378A8547A98C733AB3496" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryOperatingCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryOperatingCompanyMember_B01EAD4323162A537A2698C733ABF219" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryOperatingCompanyMember_B01EAD4323162A537A2698C733ABF219" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateCompanyMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateCompanyMember_EDAFC5C9AE61630DFB9798C733AB5FCA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_VariableInterestEntityNotPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateCompanyMember_EDAFC5C9AE61630DFB9798C733AB5FCA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember" xlink:label="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_FF76E7B658E24E2CF7AC98C733AC8CD9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassificationOfVariableInterestEntityDomain_8C7A3046323F3AE75D6F98C733AB915F" xlink:to="loc_bkd_BlackstoneVentureMember_FF76E7B658E24E2CF7AC98C733AC8CD9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_8EBF2DEDAF837F93779F98C733AC8F3F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_8EBF2DEDAF837F93779F98C733AC8F3F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_NumberOfJointVentures" xlink:label="loc_bkd_NumberOfJointVentures_4061F906DBD82F4594D198C733ACB175" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="2" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_bkd_NumberOfJointVentures_4061F906DBD82F4594D198C733ACB175" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged" xlink:label="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged_4617A380C92536D4D71C98C733ACED1F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="3" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_bkd_EquityMethodInvestmentsNumberOfCommunitiesManaged_4617A380C92536D4D71C98C733ACED1F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate_C1CF76F417347D96039298C733AC98CC" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="4" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstate_C1CF76F417347D96039298C733AC98CC" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable_A15E4E1894304BA5C74E98C733AC887B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="5" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermNotesPayable_A15E4E1894304BA5C74E98C733AC887B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_DebtArrangementShortfallAmountMaximumAmountToLend" xlink:label="loc_bkd_DebtArrangementShortfallAmountMaximumAmountToLend_93BEE498302656047FFC98C733AC44D1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="6" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_bkd_DebtArrangementShortfallAmountMaximumAmountToLend_93BEE498302656047FFC98C733AC44D1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities" xlink:label="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities_E06121D7FAA147D6436298C733ACD802" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="7" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesNumberOfCommunities_E06121D7FAA147D6436298C733ACD802" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue_998A190BA3351221D94598C733AC2F2F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="8" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue_998A190BA3351221D94598C733AC2F2F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="bkd-20170630.xsd#bkd_OperatingLeasesLeasingArrangementFairMarketValueOfCommunities" xlink:label="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesLeasingArrangementFairMarketValueOfCommunities_938BEC8D1A2A05CF6A8A98C733AC34AF" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="9" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_bkd_OperatingLeasesLeasingArrangementFairMarketValueOfCommunities_938BEC8D1A2A05CF6A8A98C733AC34AF" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_6C19C47FE6A1726D1C9C98C733AD5477" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="10" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_6C19C47FE6A1726D1C9C98C733AD5477" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2017/elts/us-gaap-2017-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_B441365B44A6D202D18E98C733ADEC5E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:definitionArc order="11" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_80DF40342183A640734C98C733AC7552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountAssetsAndLiabilitiesNet_B441365B44A6D202D18E98C733ADEC5E" xlink:type="arc" />
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://brookdale.com/role/VariableInterestEntitiesTables" xlink:type="extended" />
</link:linkbase>
