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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:9d5e07d2-b3c3-45c2-be9f-737180010ad9,g:31feca33-27b3-403f-a38d-790b0db8e177-->
<link:linkbase xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain"/>
  <link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="i94c4fae1e916453db7a33c718518dedb_CoverPage"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" id="ida40ec9199bd496f8261e2c0c2f84011_ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="ie74a5579e3a04110873f2ab78bbde259_ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations" xlink:type="extended" id="i1f3f0377f3a54afe9ba462eb237742be_ConsolidatedStatementsofOperations">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_61f489f8-b755-4cfa-a497-6cd9733bb7cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_61f489f8-b755-4cfa-a497-6cd9733bb7cf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_eff04b3e-ed38-45e9-bf77-55f75ecbfac2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_61f489f8-b755-4cfa-a497-6cd9733bb7cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_eff04b3e-ed38-45e9-bf77-55f75ecbfac2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_58fa8d65-7271-475e-81bf-5e194727b279" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_58fa8d65-7271-475e-81bf-5e194727b279" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense_a4dd0079-f7fa-469c-88f5-bead5313442e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense_a4dd0079-f7fa-469c-88f5-bead5313442e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense_4c4e9b90-b98c-4a65-b541-cbb3ac03a3f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpense_4c4e9b90-b98c-4a65-b541-cbb3ac03a3f6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_11a8a316-be60-4054-97cd-44ba260a9efb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_11a8a316-be60-4054-97cd-44ba260a9efb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_4f1cf5e4-c39d-4394-b21b-b43c409acd50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSoldAbstract_5e7f8fd5-d700-4e91-af79-41d0130b6eda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_4f1cf5e4-c39d-4394-b21b-b43c409acd50" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_66666d55-3206-49f3-93c5-6ad312462573" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_66666d55-3206-49f3-93c5-6ad312462573" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_36ef74a4-1954-4e47-bb0b-e67983951060" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest_36ef74a4-1954-4e47-bb0b-e67983951060" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_6399bdfa-e0b7-4dc4-9b16-5b60c43895a9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_6399bdfa-e0b7-4dc4-9b16-5b60c43895a9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_f807e19e-3a95-401b-830b-4fd1a0075eb5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_f807e19e-3a95-401b-830b-4fd1a0075eb5" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_55b351c2-d60a-4d5c-88ba-196f9b7dc805" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_55b351c2-d60a-4d5c-88ba-196f9b7dc805" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_0c4cb0ed-de58-4d38-b393-83cd512367ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_0c4cb0ed-de58-4d38-b393-83cd512367ba" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations_42339697-e322-435f-9dbb-6ad1743e3cd0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations_42339697-e322-435f-9dbb-6ad1743e3cd0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_078e3a86-eb80-40d8-b747-336843af0cda" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_078e3a86-eb80-40d8-b747-336843af0cda" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_69fc30b7-6303-4f24-ae7b-e428477d8cd1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_69fc30b7-6303-4f24-ae7b-e428477d8cd1" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_a1000654-4b72-4aa7-b159-aa4a072c87e2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_a1000654-4b72-4aa7-b159-aa4a072c87e2" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicAndDilutedShare_f3196c8a-0842-4717-85b2-3c706068cddf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicAndDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_a1000654-4b72-4aa7-b159-aa4a072c87e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsPerBasicAndDilutedShare_f3196c8a-0842-4717-85b2-3c706068cddf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d096fed6-7ff6-481a-bfbe-5201c276a1f3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d096fed6-7ff6-481a-bfbe-5201c276a1f3" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare_17a28dc0-d91f-4192-a9bd-f1d7ba578510" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d096fed6-7ff6-481a-bfbe-5201c276a1f3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare_17a28dc0-d91f-4192-a9bd-f1d7ba578510" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_NetLossIncomePerCommonShareTextualAbstract_09a85ceb-b3b3-480c-a7e2-4d1c87b37871" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_NetLossIncomePerCommonShareTextualAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_NetLossIncomePerCommonShareTextualAbstract_09a85ceb-b3b3-480c-a7e2-4d1c87b37871" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_132b93b8-809f-41b4-a9eb-7067ce342037" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_NetLossIncomePerCommonShareTextualAbstract_09a85ceb-b3b3-480c-a7e2-4d1c87b37871" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDiluted_132b93b8-809f-41b4-a9eb-7067ce342037" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicOtherDisclosuresAbstract_335e4cec-7f85-4b06-ab5d-4ad3ebe224ac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicOtherDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicOtherDisclosuresAbstract_335e4cec-7f85-4b06-ab5d-4ad3ebe224ac" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_c94f2382-fdae-4358-9da3-111ff4359c2f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicOtherDisclosuresAbstract_335e4cec-7f85-4b06-ab5d-4ad3ebe224ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_c94f2382-fdae-4358-9da3-111ff4359c2f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_5b9af890-5382-49b3-a0ac-79eb518a4140" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1082424e-f83d-483b-b2d6-34a241620a83" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_5b9af890-5382-49b3-a0ac-79eb518a4140" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_5b9af890-5382-49b3-a0ac-79eb518a4140" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e2bf88a6-38e9-4483-8252-7932afaf8644" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_2f3c1118-cef7-4c7d-a9f1-1dcebee0b3f3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e2bf88a6-38e9-4483-8252-7932afaf8644" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_6ad7f683-d7ee-475d-94de-84b38ef331f9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e2bf88a6-38e9-4483-8252-7932afaf8644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductMember_6ad7f683-d7ee-475d-94de-84b38ef331f9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_36f792b0-fb9e-4a9c-8236-9289f740f504" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ServiceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_e2bf88a6-38e9-4483-8252-7932afaf8644" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ServiceMember_36f792b0-fb9e-4a9c-8236-9289f740f504" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLoss" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLoss" xlink:type="extended" id="id32effc7951444818445f9847470addb_ConsolidatedStatementsofComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="ia1a1acc53b1e4823bff46cd3dfe1aa6f_ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6bfd0b5e-fc44-468a-8952-58b4591fb7e5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6bfd0b5e-fc44-468a-8952-58b4591fb7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_014ca9af-a29f-4500-a6c5-9655a148c38c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_014ca9af-a29f-4500-a6c5-9655a148c38c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_e55ec97f-f3ab-4b5d-8b5a-175027c1a410" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_e55ec97f-f3ab-4b5d-8b5a-175027c1a410" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_4b8dad74-cf3e-494e-9947-832e8f8f089d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_4b8dad74-cf3e-494e-9947-832e8f8f089d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_02db6423-0ac6-47e2-99f3-3d208114d319" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_02db6423-0ac6-47e2-99f3-3d208114d319" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_4a9639ff-57a3-4336-93c7-1bdd11557b12" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_4a9639ff-57a3-4336-93c7-1bdd11557b12" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c586551b-e775-4714-aa40-bedea794dec2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c586551b-e775-4714-aa40-bedea794dec2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_b4050e15-396b-4592-b708-178362af04d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockPurchasePlans_b4050e15-396b-4592-b708-178362af04d0" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_55ad4e7f-5dee-4f91-9091-75a00a0d0c16" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueEmployeeStockPurchasePlan_55ad4e7f-5dee-4f91-9091-75a00a0d0c16" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_9f48b12b-79ee-48fb-8f65-14266f6f9f34" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_9f48b12b-79ee-48fb-8f65-14266f6f9f34" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_4e5b486e-f52b-4837-a0cd-1938455bdd85" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockRetiredParValueMethodAmount_4e5b486e-f52b-4837-a0cd-1938455bdd85" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_aebdfee5-36df-4b98-9fec-fa779066ae5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_aebdfee5-36df-4b98-9fec-fa779066ae5a" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_e1a42a58-4515-4569-a632-da4ae83fb0b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_a4f07486-7b4c-4ef3-915c-866ebb1b2816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_e1a42a58-4515-4569-a632-da4ae83fb0b0" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_f4a35553-e293-4fa8-bb41-d89aaf20273d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_19c9cabc-f1b2-4608-8801-8ea874b9b71a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_3c8a98e7-7a36-49b3-a2ed-93d190559314" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ab232ff8-3367-48e6-a693-59b8118e6e63" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_6bfd0b5e-fc44-468a-8952-58b4591fb7e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ab232ff8-3367-48e6-a693-59b8118e6e63" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ab232ff8-3367-48e6-a693-59b8118e6e63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_03e6f0b4-4f9b-4b85-840d-59d631bb3a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6d73ba85-5603-46ef-8838-b76faa936aa5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6d73ba85-5603-46ef-8838-b76faa936aa5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7e3edaf6-46f5-4594-9e7d-20b55cee9a59" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_7e3edaf6-46f5-4594-9e7d-20b55cee9a59" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_2c6cc7e8-63c1-45b5-8024-6ab0716d2e8d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_2c6cc7e8-63c1-45b5-8024-6ab0716d2e8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_1add913f-fc70-4f3c-9c63-75ea2e1dd5f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_1add913f-fc70-4f3c-9c63-75ea2e1dd5f7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_3840d55f-4f08-4c29-998a-6b71fc555416" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_86facac5-d663-41e5-8430-aa50e28115e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_3840d55f-4f08-4c29-998a-6b71fc555416" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAxis_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ab232ff8-3367-48e6-a693-59b8118e6e63" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAxis_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f_default" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAxis_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain_2b81ddff-6344-420f-91bd-8e074c2158f9" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAxis_bfd4133a-7c0b-4f62-b1fb-966007fb897f" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain_2b81ddff-6344-420f-91bd-8e074c2158f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAccountingStandardsUpdateAdjustmentMember_4f594559-0dda-4dbd-bebe-204a0131506d" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAccountingStandardsUpdateAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodDomain_2b81ddff-6344-420f-91bd-8e074c2158f9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_RevisionOfPriorPeriodAccountingStandardsUpdateAdjustmentMember_4f594559-0dda-4dbd-bebe-204a0131506d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" id="i6acd10e25d4341dda046bc01feee9d1e_ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DescriptionofBusiness" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DescriptionofBusiness"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DescriptionofBusiness" xlink:type="extended" id="i76e33fc1fc4a454f81baa7ebf92a42ef_DescriptionofBusiness"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i16d32b2ebf2644de8f96c846ee558593_DescriptionofBusinessNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_04649d4e-d9e2-421b-a06b-798aaed14085" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_0e42ba16-cead-4538-a885-d718ed0606db" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_04649d4e-d9e2-421b-a06b-798aaed14085" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_0e42ba16-cead-4538-a885-d718ed0606db" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_277bbde3-962c-4b3a-a4c5-dd3ec0439906" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_04649d4e-d9e2-421b-a06b-798aaed14085" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses_277bbde3-962c-4b3a-a4c5-dd3ec0439906" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_818a482c-e009-42c9-9925-a3506669bb66" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_04649d4e-d9e2-421b-a06b-798aaed14085" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_818a482c-e009-42c9-9925-a3506669bb66" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_04649d4e-d9e2-421b-a06b-798aaed14085" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_23d52c7f-dfb1-4aaf-995d-9bfa0e5483e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b3304913-ec9b-4e8d-9f48-529b5da3c1fa" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_23d52c7f-dfb1-4aaf-995d-9bfa0e5483e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_OakleyMember_d9278573-a61b-4a11-8a59-ec7e0f395db1" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_OakleyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_23d52c7f-dfb1-4aaf-995d-9bfa0e5483e0" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_OakleyMember_d9278573-a61b-4a11-8a59-ec7e0f395db1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1d7ea3ba-8ec4-4d9f-ab9f-da3fb31217db" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_a3acf168-9425-49f3-83d9-42e661e5eb99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1d7ea3ba-8ec4-4d9f-ab9f-da3fb31217db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_fcc1e5e8-8787-4be0-b532-9b94a88bf83b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_1d7ea3ba-8ec4-4d9f-ab9f-da3fb31217db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BridgeLoanMember_fcc1e5e8-8787-4be0-b532-9b94a88bf83b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1feccc8c-4728-4bc4-96b7-c43da987200f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_5cd747ea-c75f-461b-bfa7-1e53cf5a9c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1feccc8c-4728-4bc4-96b7-c43da987200f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_b82245d4-8565-4afc-96db-65cc4251bada" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_1feccc8c-4728-4bc4-96b7-c43da987200f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_b82245d4-8565-4afc-96db-65cc4251bada" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_2868ec39-e054-48b2-a1a2-0a5e1678e1f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ec523345-8279-4bc5-82e3-fdb49bc27b89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_ba46e163-a00a-44c2-a2ee-3abf9489ca25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ec523345-8279-4bc5-82e3-fdb49bc27b89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_VideotelMember_a0d5e683-917c-4e86-be29-33ef44dcb1ef" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_VideotelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_ec523345-8279-4bc5-82e3-fdb49bc27b89" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_VideotelMember_a0d5e683-917c-4e86-be29-33ef44dcb1ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="iee0fa5543c3c428d80f741854e3a6ce5_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="ie44ed919602041ca9457ad3596ddcfa8_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/AccountingStandardsIssuedandNotYetAdopted" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#AccountingStandardsIssuedandNotYetAdopted"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/AccountingStandardsIssuedandNotYetAdopted" xlink:type="extended" id="i6e14777ef33047f695566963f50aae26_AccountingStandardsIssuedandNotYetAdopted"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecurities" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#MarketableSecurities"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecurities" xlink:type="extended" id="ief72fdf36c2c4311b8cd581a7a42bb99_MarketableSecurities"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#MarketableSecuritiesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i240249b19d7240edbd3d372202f6313b_MarketableSecuritiesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#MarketableSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iaef479b2440841518ee301f8514125fc_MarketableSecuritiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_fa397037-bc3a-4eef-8a46-063d051b60c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_fa397037-bc3a-4eef-8a46-063d051b60c0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_1e9489bd-8582-49eb-b035-9bcadd399ec7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_1e9489bd-8582-49eb-b035-9bcadd399ec7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_da40a906-fd67-457e-b02c-c498e2c431d7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax_da40a906-fd67-457e-b02c-c498e2c431d7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_d3465c7d-8882-43ad-afdc-1423cf239491" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_d3465c7d-8882-43ad-afdc-1423cf239491" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_32425581-7199-4588-95b9-5d62308bb9e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems_688c8178-1e0c-408d-90ea-ffcfb4fd3b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_32425581-7199-4588-95b9-5d62308bb9e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_32425581-7199-4588-95b9-5d62308bb9e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7e27f6a4-49a9-4b9a-ad49-c18a54b3b593" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_9781165f-5f04-4973-96e6-d0712822dc70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7e27f6a4-49a9-4b9a-ad49-c18a54b3b593" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_12ac2873-643b-45f5-9c60-66dfafdce789" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7e27f6a4-49a9-4b9a-ad49-c18a54b3b593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_12ac2873-643b-45f5-9c60-66dfafdce789" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_f6047cc8-9813-4c23-967c-0f1723bb7345" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7e27f6a4-49a9-4b9a-ad49-c18a54b3b593" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_f6047cc8-9813-4c23-967c-0f1723bb7345" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#MarketableSecuritiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i59aabf0bc2734adc937d624adec512e0_MarketableSecuritiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i3c82839a7848405a939711f66af0327e_StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquityTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i25e4213eba1d46e69b9a769a38a9231e_StockholdersEquityTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2debcd80fcf04fd1b0d6cf7dd2e5c3ff_StockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_CommonStockIncreaseDecreaseInCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_832b97f0-e9ec-4f6c-83b0-38f531961d39" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_CommonStockIncreaseDecreaseInCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_CommonStockIncreaseDecreaseInCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_832b97f0-e9ec-4f6c-83b0-38f531961d39" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_d5133ea1-1b35-4e4a-b81d-4f86d51ba639" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_d5133ea1-1b35-4e4a-b81d-4f86d51ba639" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_9987b18a-9230-4d1a-83a2-bd6cfb83a0bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_9987b18a-9230-4d1a-83a2-bd6cfb83a0bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_36a689be-8330-45e3-b513-aee0ef1d8cb0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_36a689be-8330-45e3-b513-aee0ef1d8cb0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_137e7563-5ab0-49b8-bdfe-3bc4c87e804d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_137e7563-5ab0-49b8-bdfe-3bc4c87e804d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_2e4d0fc4-4af7-41c3-92c4-6ff4adeb1321" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_2e4d0fc4-4af7-41c3-92c4-6ff4adeb1321" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_9f1b2030-bc41-403f-ad26-92325626e9a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_9f1b2030-bc41-403f-ad26-92325626e9a3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_6c17f6a0-590c-48a3-843f-cc30d9f70e45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_6c17f6a0-590c-48a3-843f-cc30d9f70e45" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions_00290a08-7a53-47c2-ad66-57c0b7399405" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSharesUnderIncentiveAndShareBasedCompensationPlansIncludingStockOptions_00290a08-7a53-47c2-ad66-57c0b7399405" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_80fdd5c1-ce58-410a-8ded-db0efbede27c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_80fdd5c1-ce58-410a-8ded-db0efbede27c" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_c82bcb0e-d2ac-4985-9209-81baf1e6ccec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_c82bcb0e-d2ac-4985-9209-81baf1e6ccec" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_02f20bd8-0775-4fca-9df6-a7841d724ff3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_02f20bd8-0775-4fca-9df6-a7841d724ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a7651ec7-0d52-49da-9e0a-fa3331b4ca9a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a7651ec7-0d52-49da-9e0a-fa3331b4ca9a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_8cd9f948-869c-4b07-a780-0cc78c4e57a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_8cd9f948-869c-4b07-a780-0cc78c4e57a7" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_dd3d9cfa-7318-4159-b1eb-0eab4de2846e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_dd3d9cfa-7318-4159-b1eb-0eab4de2846e" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_436d0bf3-aa55-4982-bb9a-756b4fd2389e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_436d0bf3-aa55-4982-bb9a-756b4fd2389e" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_0a9d45c7-054b-41c9-9ccb-8f4142dacf39" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_0a9d45c7-054b-41c9-9ccb-8f4142dacf39" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_54d3893a-a7d6-4687-aabc-8cb684a6b86f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_54d3893a-a7d6-4687-aabc-8cb684a6b86f" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a4bbb1d1-d879-4fe5-8c35-d94715e9cd1c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_a4bbb1d1-d879-4fe5-8c35-d94715e9cd1c" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares_26466af6-9d34-4457-b37e-0dde527fe6ee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfShares_26466af6-9d34-4457-b37e-0dde527fe6ee" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentPercentageOfSharePrice_da47e09d-6bfa-4708-8ac8-173818112e75" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentPercentageOfSharePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentPercentageOfSharePrice_da47e09d-6bfa-4708-8ac8-173818112e75" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod_ef7b97df-c625-4d58-bcb0-33b305a00e5b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod_ef7b97df-c625-4d58-bcb0-33b305a00e5b" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_398f06f0-f228-4d3d-8e62-86fe8e619bb0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_24fee6d2-4206-4198-804a-a832c0a79a0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_398f06f0-f228-4d3d-8e62-86fe8e619bb0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_398f06f0-f228-4d3d-8e62-86fe8e619bb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_6fb4b8b7-e54e-45b8-835f-ac271c2ced4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_fd115ef6-bd29-475b-abf0-5d13689ff050" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_6fb4b8b7-e54e-45b8-835f-ac271c2ced4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_ESPPPlanMember_1a68cf41-d226-4d3f-862c-d1411876afdd" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_ESPPPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_6fb4b8b7-e54e-45b8-835f-ac271c2ced4d" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_ESPPPlanMember_1a68cf41-d226-4d3f-862c-d1411876afdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_398f06f0-f228-4d3d-8e62-86fe8e619bb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_e8f0ef3b-4ad8-44b6-8794-0c99276ce69a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_c9e81c15-97fc-440f-b0fc-2813d98d4944" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_c9e81c15-97fc-440f-b0fc-2813d98d4944" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_048ba38d-de0b-4aca-98f1-31ad23993792" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_048ba38d-de0b-4aca-98f1-31ad23993792" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_1cd24617-34e4-4a12-bcad-512f007acb57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_1cd24617-34e4-4a12-bcad-512f007acb57" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_2ab8fd05-1ed4-4326-9d93-4b95c364bb7b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_9b28577c-e7f2-4c57-bf99-88ceecca1537" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockMember_2ab8fd05-1ed4-4326-9d93-4b95c364bb7b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquityValuationAssumptionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityValuationAssumptionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i19fbbed0a66646aa801c247197e8435d_StockholdersEquityValuationAssumptionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_c295cdd5-4e55-4e08-add0-b43df5e9dfbb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_c295cdd5-4e55-4e08-add0-b43df5e9dfbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_ec3d9495-95d3-4a5b-b650-93dd9a52ffdd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_ec3d9495-95d3-4a5b-b650-93dd9a52ffdd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_6b9d67dd-690d-4dfe-9732-8a90a7a23abf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_6b9d67dd-690d-4dfe-9732-8a90a7a23abf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_06fdcdb5-679a-4ce1-ac39-1c207f49aa45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_06fdcdb5-679a-4ce1-ac39-1c207f49aa45" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fdff3efa-95e7-480d-bdfd-dfe2c299bbde" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_bc0ac2bb-f357-4822-ab44-80030512c82c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fdff3efa-95e7-480d-bdfd-dfe2c299bbde" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fdff3efa-95e7-480d-bdfd-dfe2c299bbde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0bce2b5d-3329-4e9b-8860-ac35750e11eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_0557fef1-86d4-44a2-b3d6-5fb406d88e69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0bce2b5d-3329-4e9b-8860-ac35750e11eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_060b9931-3ca2-4496-9e5c-1d245152e98e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0bce2b5d-3329-4e9b-8860-ac35750e11eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_060b9931-3ca2-4496-9e5c-1d245152e98e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquityScheduleofStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1c38c31a91df48e68f1de8ae2a6a8b41_StockholdersEquityScheduleofStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a79124c8-ab58-4b56-81f2-4da5ff85d9ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_071bc7c1-e468-464d-a164-2dced974cb44" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a79124c8-ab58-4b56-81f2-4da5ff85d9ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_071bc7c1-e468-464d-a164-2dced974cb44" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fd4db7e4-ff10-4938-a531-465c5d919017" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a79124c8-ab58-4b56-81f2-4da5ff85d9ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fd4db7e4-ff10-4938-a531-465c5d919017" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fd4db7e4-ff10-4938-a531-465c5d919017" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_320ab109-b6f6-40e8-941d-a4dd10ebe8dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsTotalMember_f479de8e-07c2-4190-8dea-b6a7c607f443" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsTotalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsTotalMember_f479de8e-07c2-4190-8dea-b6a7c607f443" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember_d20976c3-c728-4fee-be53-b5ef2c8dc4d2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpenseMember_d20976c3-c728-4fee-be53-b5ef2c8dc4d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpenseMember_c7abd14b-b0b1-450a-9e3a-b2db17f4836a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingAndMarketingExpenseMember_c7abd14b-b0b1-450a-9e3a-b2db17f4836a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_b86ecc43-0886-4389-a37b-7cdd2d0df89c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_af4eb1cf-b609-4e7b-afaf-91baa7000716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpenseMember_b86ecc43-0886-4389-a37b-7cdd2d0df89c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofAOCIDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#StockholdersEquityScheduleofAOCIDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/StockholdersEquityScheduleofAOCIDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie79725b553424daca55a96c347cba917_StockholdersEquityScheduleofAOCIDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0e938957-430f-43f8-9b6d-66253de90bbc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0e938957-430f-43f8-9b6d-66253de90bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_71fd925c-770f-4e79-9e9f-07cfdf5a260b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_71fd925c-770f-4e79-9e9f-07cfdf5a260b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_53e2596b-a46f-439d-a718-6c5324357e7a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OciBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_53e2596b-a46f-439d-a718-6c5324357e7a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_dba59358-ba96-4d3d-a41f-00ea2793d873" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReclassificationFromAociCurrentPeriodNetOfTaxAttributableToParent_dba59358-ba96-4d3d-a41f-00ea2793d873" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_7cd65934-9c89-44d7-84b6-2cfc86fb3fec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingRollForward_8589ea69-482e-46aa-a99e-b2f208a1cba1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_7cd65934-9c89-44d7-84b6-2cfc86fb3fec" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_108ffb3d-a4ee-497b-be13-42e848115634" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fbeb3ab1-058c-44c7-9f60-3b7b8a646076" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0e938957-430f-43f8-9b6d-66253de90bbc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fbeb3ab1-058c-44c7-9f60-3b7b8a646076" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_fbeb3ab1-058c-44c7-9f60-3b7b8a646076" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_b3941177-113a-4a85-81eb-38bcdc24f995" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_6d63bb1d-45b3-4b64-877c-13ba48d41e1d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_6d63bb1d-45b3-4b64-877c-13ba48d41e1d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_4eebe21e-5081-4592-9047-7d35ffb493b5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedGainLossNetCashFlowHedgeParentMember_4eebe21e-5081-4592-9047-7d35ffb493b5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_ea461e81-7579-4bc0-a7d0-2c5deee69980" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember_ea461e81-7579-4bc0-a7d0-2c5deee69980" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0ae49c57-3d70-4f44-a239-f26a728ff47b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_5804fc71-b9de-4e7a-ac02-ff1ecd30e2fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_0ae49c57-3d70-4f44-a239-f26a728ff47b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShare" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#NetLossperCommonShare"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShare" xlink:type="extended" id="iab28fb0d6e0447198549073e837c073e_NetLossperCommonShare"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#NetLossperCommonShareTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ifa427c9519614d56b78a05b40010379d_NetLossperCommonShareTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#NetLossperCommonShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idd15b78a4998482ca33aacfb88237ec5_NetLossperCommonShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareReconciliationofBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageCommonSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#NetLossperCommonShareReconciliationofBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageCommonSharesOutstandingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/NetLossperCommonShareReconciliationofBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageCommonSharesOutstandingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1333ecef1ffb42e1a3b4f5109e7896a8_NetLossperCommonShareReconciliationofBasicandDilutedWeightedAverageCommonSharesOutstandingDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/Inventories" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#Inventories"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/Inventories" xlink:type="extended" id="i079d2db1bc5c4dda812b7ce740194fcb_Inventories"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/InventoriesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#InventoriesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/InventoriesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ib241e0087f804cd2bed2057da6a18199_InventoriesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/InventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#InventoriesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/InventoriesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i61dcebb6de224d2b8937d94ee9e427b4_InventoriesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipment" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#PropertyandEquipment"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipment" xlink:type="extended" id="ie43b6cf8922b4ee09013758c655a4dc8_PropertyandEquipment"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#PropertyandEquipmentTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ifd4dcb73ffda4714adccae7707352d4a_PropertyandEquipmentTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#PropertyandEquipmentDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6723e544e8eb4a89bd1e262e763432b2_PropertyandEquipmentDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_fe58fba0-7bf0-4e50-909c-b9cc900335d1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_2e49337b-5608-4a79-9715-2ac637222e90" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_fe58fba0-7bf0-4e50-909c-b9cc900335d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_2e49337b-5608-4a79-9715-2ac637222e90" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_d62ba0d9-fbaa-43ae-b083-7211b27d2a3d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_fe58fba0-7bf0-4e50-909c-b9cc900335d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_d62ba0d9-fbaa-43ae-b083-7211b27d2a3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_c0d4b7d0-e053-4927-9844-1276621f94ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_fe58fba0-7bf0-4e50-909c-b9cc900335d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_c0d4b7d0-e053-4927-9844-1276621f94ae" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_eb5fb170-496b-4039-875d-634b8b7f91f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_fe58fba0-7bf0-4e50-909c-b9cc900335d1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_eb5fb170-496b-4039-875d-634b8b7f91f8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_eb5fb170-496b-4039-875d-634b8b7f91f8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_20a4cb31-cbae-49bc-afc7-f33265d2ddb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_5735a5d6-12f0-452c-9f35-dd9e6a9ee7f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LandMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LandMember_5735a5d6-12f0-452c-9f35-dd9e6a9ee7f1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_76569f61-3029-495a-bd1c-57ae63c7a4d9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember_76569f61-3029-495a-bd1c-57ae63c7a4d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_168e4cf9-4eaf-4faf-a003-46a9b278df41" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_168e4cf9-4eaf-4faf-a003-46a9b278df41" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_7133a393-d4f7-4b6a-9d10-5b4d5e468041" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember_7133a393-d4f7-4b6a-9d10-5b4d5e468041" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_HardwareRevenueGeneratingAssetMember_4ef0ae36-24cd-41ff-bf5b-2ada99b1c4f9" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_HardwareRevenueGeneratingAssetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_HardwareRevenueGeneratingAssetMember_4ef0ae36-24cd-41ff-bf5b-2ada99b1c4f9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_OfficeAndComputerEquipmentMember_5a0e16d8-a79f-444b-8b92-875c6b4490d2" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_OfficeAndComputerEquipmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_OfficeAndComputerEquipmentMember_5a0e16d8-a79f-444b-8b92-875c6b4490d2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VehiclesMember_869577e8-95b0-4888-9d73-944c98b2e017" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VehiclesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_44e111dd-8c2f-4b8b-ab35-7ecf566f7bce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VehiclesMember_869577e8-95b0-4888-9d73-944c98b2e017" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#PropertyandEquipmentNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia9fa9aebc7484cd69f16e2f5faa74b16_PropertyandEquipmentNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarranty" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ProductWarranty"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarranty" xlink:type="extended" id="i428c3ea48dc24c32ba4b80e75e0b46d8_ProductWarranty"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ProductWarrantyTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyTables" xlink:type="extended" id="icd32d790a4a5475baf89f9d4958ddd67_ProductWarrantyTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ProductWarrantyNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8d5eec058a3246eb8f389322ad19cdc1_ProductWarrantyNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyLineItems_92ca19f5-f71a-41f4-a39e-f2466e3789b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_ProductWarrantyTextualAbstract_28505961-38b8-4045-ae69-8d12ad79a0e5" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_ProductWarrantyTextualAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyLineItems_92ca19f5-f71a-41f4-a39e-f2466e3789b1" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_ProductWarrantyTextualAbstract_28505961-38b8-4045-ae69-8d12ad79a0e5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_LimitedProductWarrantyPeriod_d6f224f6-08b5-4bcb-85c6-dc8248718e22" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_LimitedProductWarrantyPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_ProductWarrantyTextualAbstract_28505961-38b8-4045-ae69-8d12ad79a0e5" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_LimitedProductWarrantyPeriod_d6f224f6-08b5-4bcb-85c6-dc8248718e22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual_dc4189da-f72b-47df-b657-b833c4ca508b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_ProductWarrantyTextualAbstract_28505961-38b8-4045-ae69-8d12ad79a0e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductWarrantyAccrual_dc4189da-f72b-47df-b657-b833c4ca508b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyTable_f0b82a74-196e-4def-ac20-a8f0f1b62aae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyLineItems_92ca19f5-f71a-41f4-a39e-f2466e3789b1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyTable_f0b82a74-196e-4def-ac20-a8f0f1b62aae" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProductLiabilityContingencyTable_f0b82a74-196e-4def-ac20-a8f0f1b62aae" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_7c4f8649-d53f-4d08-8e61-ec6e721255b7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_222326ef-7f1b-4df6-a655-4e5da924dd10" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_7c4f8649-d53f-4d08-8e61-ec6e721255b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_4863cf8e-3905-4956-9f1c-8dca0a50e2cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7c4f8649-d53f-4d08-8e61-ec6e721255b7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_4863cf8e-3905-4956-9f1c-8dca0a50e2cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_72b6f65e-6e10-4034-a117-77dfa69f563a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7c4f8649-d53f-4d08-8e61-ec6e721255b7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_72b6f65e-6e10-4034-a117-77dfa69f563a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyScheduleofProductWarrantyActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ProductWarrantyScheduleofProductWarrantyActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ProductWarrantyScheduleofProductWarrantyActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib8d84a3884a44a24ac7bdab4f768ed08_ProductWarrantyScheduleofProductWarrantyActivityDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#Debt"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" id="i4729d8d46afc41868b26e2f1f91e264a_Debt"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DebtTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i37d38cbe149f452ca1caa5b80d239797_DebtTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i572243f6a4364681a06c2dfd6810655d_DebtSummaryofLongTermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0f0bf891-a892-4afa-a49c-e9354956866b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_33ee944b-a54a-4100-8d9f-c45b704bf075" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0f0bf891-a892-4afa-a49c-e9354956866b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_33ee944b-a54a-4100-8d9f-c45b704bf075" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_8ee8bc95-d7c0-4256-9d33-deb7d3550c97" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0f0bf891-a892-4afa-a49c-e9354956866b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_8ee8bc95-d7c0-4256-9d33-deb7d3550c97" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_09e0525d-4591-4a12-aa40-280b86b2428f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0f0bf891-a892-4afa-a49c-e9354956866b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_09e0525d-4591-4a12-aa40-280b86b2428f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_db5b2a1f-6b15-4750-ae13-81884de44344" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_0f0bf891-a892-4afa-a49c-e9354956866b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_db5b2a1f-6b15-4750-ae13-81884de44344" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_db5b2a1f-6b15-4750-ae13-81884de44344" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b758940d-5c23-4248-a568-490026817e8a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_3c21c357-3851-4936-a557-2c2014921e67" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b758940d-5c23-4248-a568-490026817e8a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember_f6049754-abdc-4c2c-bd38-54d8935d2c85" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b758940d-5c23-4248-a568-490026817e8a" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember_f6049754-abdc-4c2c-bd38-54d8935d2c85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DebtNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DebtNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i41e891dc9b274b089a70bbf8fbeaca9d_DebtNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_139e865c-b1b7-49da-b32b-4b71c1e6175e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_139e865c-b1b7-49da-b32b-4b71c1e6175e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_0ae3efb4-dbaf-4d9a-b6e4-4c69ccb55511" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_0ae3efb4-dbaf-4d9a-b6e4-4c69ccb55511" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_886e2008-947e-45b9-ae57-5be81bdd5476" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_886e2008-947e-45b9-ae57-5be81bdd5476" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_01d61837-c39e-458f-bb02-1d03b39d3840" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt_01d61837-c39e-458f-bb02-1d03b39d3840" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit_9a39c4ba-8dc2-431f-98d1-4f749f9b375e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermLinesOfCredit_9a39c4ba-8dc2-431f-98d1-4f749f9b375e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_c9525897-6b03-4b74-81c8-3e9b6dbb4ac4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_c9525897-6b03-4b74-81c8-3e9b6dbb4ac4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_NumberOfFinancialCovenants_bd07e186-96c5-47a3-9f08-1bb1cf9d73af" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_NumberOfFinancialCovenants"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_NumberOfFinancialCovenants_bd07e186-96c5-47a3-9f08-1bb1cf9d73af" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedLeverageRatio_7d1fb070-29f2-4bb0-b05f-7c9ef91e5abf" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedLeverageRatio_7d1fb070-29f2-4bb0-b05f-7c9ef91e5abf" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio_2c4c820f-9925-4e59-b29e-f02382292643" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantComplianceMaximumConsolidatedFixedChargeCoverageRatio_2c4c820f-9925-4e59-b29e-f02382292643" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentToBePaid_49c819d8-a051-4ca2-b3d8-e56b9d274c37" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentToBePaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentTermsBalloonPaymentToBePaid_49c819d8-a051-4ca2-b3d8-e56b9d274c37" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_b060cbc7-7064-4ab8-bbfa-7e10b0748a3b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_b060cbc7-7064-4ab8-bbfa-7e10b0748a3b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_b22cbeea-6c78-457a-b660-3cc2ea36d8c1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_b22cbeea-6c78-457a-b660-3cc2ea36d8c1" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d99de905-20ae-469f-8121-93089767eaa8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9438233-c8c6-4518-a4d0-4664cd807951" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f4e2bd5c-fad3-4b36-a9d3-b3a757ea6981" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9438233-c8c6-4518-a4d0-4664cd807951" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_835e4032-55af-436b-abc7-25a492e333f5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9438233-c8c6-4518-a4d0-4664cd807951" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_835e4032-55af-436b-abc7-25a492e333f5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_f74248ee-46e4-4fe3-91ef-1db84d7119a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d9438233-c8c6-4518-a4d0-4664cd807951" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_f74248ee-46e4-4fe3-91ef-1db84d7119a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_f8c38d31-1969-4f9c-9bc2-4c801a62e3f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember_91d59644-0499-487e-ab1e-b60305fa0c75" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_PaycheckProtectionProgramLoanCARESActMember_91d59644-0499-487e-ab1e-b60305fa0c75" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_SeniorCreditFacilityMember_ec53fa07-b60f-4d49-8014-68b664183bf7" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_SeniorCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_SeniorCreditFacilityMember_ec53fa07-b60f-4d49-8014-68b664183bf7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_711315b8-69a8-4a3d-9df0-00a49e7a1958" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_711315b8-69a8-4a3d-9df0-00a49e7a1958" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MortgageLoanOnHeadquartersFacilityMember_4265e2cc-6fb8-42f5-bcf1-f9c0850a8fa3" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MortgageLoanOnHeadquartersFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_70b45bb8-d083-401d-808f-e4b5dc2260c6" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MortgageLoanOnHeadquartersFacilityMember_4265e2cc-6fb8-42f5-bcf1-f9c0850a8fa3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_efdb9f41-6904-4086-9ef8-b74e0ccce74a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_A2018TermNotesMember_40e4d9d3-67a2-4dd6-8665-ac264e9ca65a" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_A2018TermNotesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_A2018TermNotesMember_40e4d9d3-67a2-4dd6-8665-ac264e9ca65a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_TermLoanMember_90a43c10-ca52-4bbe-a4bb-5d857acac791" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_TermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_TermLoanMember_90a43c10-ca52-4bbe-a4bb-5d857acac791" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_d56bdb66-9af0-4073-ad14-d9e2f8c86069" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_d56bdb66-9af0-4073-ad14-d9e2f8c86069" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_cfb91b8e-702b-4f72-bf85-fb0f8f26c6a2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3ce6bcdd-e1bc-4491-9fa9-99d04a1fa635" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_cfb91b8e-702b-4f72-bf85-fb0f8f26c6a2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_2f3b9b82-8071-40a2-abbe-966b17cd14c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis_f8f78cea-025a-49ed-9e9d-fdf5048d4322" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_2f3b9b82-8071-40a2-abbe-966b17cd14c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_7d7661d2-00a9-4580-a4d6-3fbd76b2e37c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_2f3b9b82-8071-40a2-abbe-966b17cd14c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember_7d7661d2-00a9-4580-a4d6-3fbd76b2e37c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_e70ae250-b6be-48b9-9fbb-2de94e5fc34b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodDomain_2f3b9b82-8071-40a2-abbe-966b17cd14c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember_e70ae250-b6be-48b9-9fbb-2de94e5fc34b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_736e464c-2c6a-4edb-b50b-893fbcc86c39" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_1ae2c8fe-7b46-465e-b5f7-a7138a813d10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_736e464c-2c6a-4edb-b50b-893fbcc86c39" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_3890dd62-f905-4232-9868-86a811811621" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_736e464c-2c6a-4edb-b50b-893fbcc86c39" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_3890dd62-f905-4232-9868-86a811811621" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_1d221af4-1488-4f48-831d-aa39999d09f4" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb_default" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_71c95c5f-6867-446b-beed-21e85cdbfbea" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis_2bbd09cf-5083-48a5-8145-ea8e718f30bb" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_71c95c5f-6867-446b-beed-21e85cdbfbea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodOneMember_2e5372eb-a72e-48c5-8464-d713eeb9e4e9" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_71c95c5f-6867-446b-beed-21e85cdbfbea" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodOneMember_2e5372eb-a72e-48c5-8464-d713eeb9e4e9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodTwoMember_ff85811e-efde-4f7c-b576-61e19700efee" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain_71c95c5f-6867-446b-beed-21e85cdbfbea" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DebtCovenantPeriodTwoMember_ff85811e-efde-4f7c-b576-61e19700efee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SegmentReporting"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReporting" xlink:type="extended" id="i5369a501a2d34288a55980753fa72b9d_SegmentReporting"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SegmentReportingTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ia175a5636b584a2d9b0e0b88384281fd_SegmentReportingTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SegmentReportingNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib5b90e9832234844b63836cb29b1f34c_SegmentReportingNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_457b235b-1dd6-441b-b104-defbc45b7329" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_PercentofConsolidatedNetSales_d62bcf5f-8bd7-4722-b956-1f97439ec403" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_PercentofConsolidatedNetSales"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_457b235b-1dd6-441b-b104-defbc45b7329" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_PercentofConsolidatedNetSales_d62bcf5f-8bd7-4722-b956-1f97439ec403" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ae4d2af5-b034-4a84-89ed-ead0cda01784" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_457b235b-1dd6-441b-b104-defbc45b7329" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ae4d2af5-b034-4a84-89ed-ead0cda01784" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ae4d2af5-b034-4a84-89ed-ead0cda01784" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2fa55cdf-4925-4dee-9519-56ab121205f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_b84c1bf4-ea61-45cc-bf17-e4a51ed6aa40" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2fa55cdf-4925-4dee-9519-56ab121205f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_c4fa0eba-8c09-4cb0-aa0b-87e6c4881104" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonUsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2fa55cdf-4925-4dee-9519-56ab121205f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonUsMember_c4fa0eba-8c09-4cb0-aa0b-87e6c4881104" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_country_SG_50786f62-83a1-467b-a9ee-b24a962ac9fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2017/country-2017-01-31.xsd#country_SG"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_2fa55cdf-4925-4dee-9519-56ab121205f4" xlink:to="loc_country_SG_50786f62-83a1-467b-a9ee-b24a962ac9fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ae4d2af5-b034-4a84-89ed-ead0cda01784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d50c0ade-418a-4e6d-976d-5acaa92b5ab9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_177cb82a-92ca-4a70-9b99-9f97402819b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d50c0ade-418a-4e6d-976d-5acaa92b5ab9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_4bdf8037-3164-4323-9f04-39a36bbfd450" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d50c0ade-418a-4e6d-976d-5acaa92b5ab9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_4bdf8037-3164-4323-9f04-39a36bbfd450" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_735d97d0-29d0-46aa-b072-737762ea2631" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d50c0ade-418a-4e6d-976d-5acaa92b5ab9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_735d97d0-29d0-46aa-b072-737762ea2631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ae4d2af5-b034-4a84-89ed-ead0cda01784" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_11986ef5-672c-42c6-9709-5e7637e823e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_52af42a7-c499-4847-bc69-45d24aefd48b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_11986ef5-672c-42c6-9709-5e7637e823e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileCommProductSalesMember_b3ad269f-c7cf-4091-9cb3-0e8a610c1c31" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileCommProductSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_11986ef5-672c-42c6-9709-5e7637e823e9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileCommProductSalesMember_b3ad269f-c7cf-4091-9cb3-0e8a610c1c31" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_VSATAirtimeServiceSalesMember_d52d796f-4766-48d3-86c9-a31fefd91a7a" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_VSATAirtimeServiceSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_11986ef5-672c-42c6-9709-5e7637e823e9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_VSATAirtimeServiceSalesMember_d52d796f-4766-48d3-86c9-a31fefd91a7a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_FOGSystemSalesMember_a5d3c76b-4e05-4ae0-ad8b-639094649088" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_FOGSystemSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_11986ef5-672c-42c6-9709-5e7637e823e9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_FOGSystemSalesMember_a5d3c76b-4e05-4ae0-ad8b-639094649088" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingNetSalesandOperatingIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SegmentReportingNetSalesandOperatingIncomeLossDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingNetSalesandOperatingIncomeLossDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i863418215bcf47fab0ff30eb51b36c9a_SegmentReportingNetSalesandOperatingIncomeLossDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_92dfd7b2-277e-4705-962d-267817921d6f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_92dfd7b2-277e-4705-962d-267817921d6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_d1b70619-6ea3-4eb0-a2e4-88ecd04f1ce8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_d1b70619-6ea3-4eb0-a2e4-88ecd04f1ce8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_Netinterestandotherexpense_66c17817-2d85-46c0-a978-0599a68f5168" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_Netinterestandotherexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_Netinterestandotherexpense_66c17817-2d85-46c0-a978-0599a68f5168" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_892ea353-36e1-45bb-bf3e-0e7c922427cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_892ea353-36e1-45bb-bf3e-0e7c922427cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7f9de99-faeb-48ac-8b01-ebbf489b406b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_35ed0fc8-6311-4317-b74d-ef11d176f93a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7f9de99-faeb-48ac-8b01-ebbf489b406b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7f9de99-faeb-48ac-8b01-ebbf489b406b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fb67ccca-f70d-4611-8980-c4c77e1e4849" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_1fbb5e85-73a8-4096-8f3f-9367300405bc" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fb67ccca-f70d-4611-8980-c4c77e1e4849" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_f4f53cc7-e64f-4e9c-9d04-fd7ae3e84530" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fb67ccca-f70d-4611-8980-c4c77e1e4849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_f4f53cc7-e64f-4e9c-9d04-fd7ae3e84530" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_0f1649b2-0d14-42c7-90d5-c61ac1a3968c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fb67ccca-f70d-4611-8980-c4c77e1e4849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_0f1649b2-0d14-42c7-90d5-c61ac1a3968c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_f7f9de99-faeb-48ac-8b01-ebbf489b406b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a87925ac-c93f-4272-a1e1-76a14d877215" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_f9520dd3-e6e7-4bb3-806f-33b23e6b1ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a87925ac-c93f-4272-a1e1-76a14d877215" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_1b4336b8-bfdf-4caa-8b4b-1f068d324901" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a87925ac-c93f-4272-a1e1-76a14d877215" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_1b4336b8-bfdf-4caa-8b4b-1f068d324901" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_227c88d5-f4a4-4e3c-bd04-c65eb1f1ff8e" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a87925ac-c93f-4272-a1e1-76a14d877215" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_227c88d5-f4a4-4e3c-bd04-c65eb1f1ff8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingDeprecationandAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#SegmentReportingDeprecationandAmortizationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/SegmentReportingDeprecationandAmortizationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7f77ae329cc84d1ba8dfa085eb3e365f_SegmentReportingDeprecationandAmortizationExpenseDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d557327a-ab3d-4e26-9712-0d5e9612f2d9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_0edff2f4-f083-43be-8bc8-a486dfb9deab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Depreciation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d557327a-ab3d-4e26-9712-0d5e9612f2d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Depreciation_0edff2f4-f083-43be-8bc8-a486dfb9deab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_Amortizationexpense_9292649e-435d-4095-93c0-8c470958b847" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_Amortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d557327a-ab3d-4e26-9712-0d5e9612f2d9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_Amortizationexpense_9292649e-435d-4095-93c0-8c470958b847" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_3e3ebd00-0988-4ba5-bb2e-2f834fcbafb4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_d557327a-ab3d-4e26-9712-0d5e9612f2d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_3e3ebd00-0988-4ba5-bb2e-2f834fcbafb4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_3e3ebd00-0988-4ba5-bb2e-2f834fcbafb4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8af78de1-71b2-4b26-82bd-e8b3b9a25590" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a8dd803e-36b6-44a0-8bdf-8e6fc9fc17d5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8af78de1-71b2-4b26-82bd-e8b3b9a25590" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_8395ee76-175b-4900-b8d5-21b6c4c2bc21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8af78de1-71b2-4b26-82bd-e8b3b9a25590" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_8395ee76-175b-4900-b8d5-21b6c4c2bc21" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_e789a962-0786-4007-9f54-28bb94710ba5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_8af78de1-71b2-4b26-82bd-e8b3b9a25590" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_e789a962-0786-4007-9f54-28bb94710ba5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_3e3ebd00-0988-4ba5-bb2e-2f834fcbafb4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2bea3eac-94f4-49f9-a1b2-e50bb86fa172" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_82c7df03-17c8-44ea-82e1-2aba0f19bfee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2bea3eac-94f4-49f9-a1b2-e50bb86fa172" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_1f8132bc-43c1-4b87-ba5f-340514737183" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2bea3eac-94f4-49f9-a1b2-e50bb86fa172" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_1f8132bc-43c1-4b87-ba5f-340514737183" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_e56e2ad0-94ef-41cf-ab48-0e89020d81e5" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_2bea3eac-94f4-49f9-a1b2-e50bb86fa172" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_e56e2ad0-94ef-41cf-ab48-0e89020d81e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LegalMatters" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LegalMatters"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LegalMatters" xlink:type="extended" id="i390eb71917854660aea765dbe82c0752_LegalMatters"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ShareBuybackProgram" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ShareBuybackProgram"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ShareBuybackProgram" xlink:type="extended" id="ide79dc0654654e52b0078895b8170fc0_ShareBuybackProgram"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/ShareBuybackProgramNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#ShareBuybackProgramNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/ShareBuybackProgramNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7cea1d32efa247578ed9f91923b687be_ShareBuybackProgramNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" id="i29e907578c0e43acacc8990e5047fcce_FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i40eadcbf6c544ad7b8a0942bddb34e8b_FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib966afb2341d4ff89b84a52331307676_FairValueMeasurementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_4e61e032-6d9c-4791-8edb-f3fe9b5becc1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_0ff5cc68-40eb-4121-85d5-d8ad9f2f214a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_4e61e032-6d9c-4791-8edb-f3fe9b5becc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_0ff5cc68-40eb-4121-85d5-d8ad9f2f214a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_499147b6-d957-4b8f-92ed-459e40510254" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_4e61e032-6d9c-4791-8edb-f3fe9b5becc1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_499147b6-d957-4b8f-92ed-459e40510254" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_499147b6-d957-4b8f-92ed-459e40510254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ad7598c6-6c45-4ef4-9e3e-7df3dc8cfa6f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_33c92664-9ea1-4df7-8d4f-54512f2ae9d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ad7598c6-6c45-4ef4-9e3e-7df3dc8cfa6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_3e899bbc-e196-4364-926a-63b5a6ce8667" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ad7598c6-6c45-4ef4-9e3e-7df3dc8cfa6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_3e899bbc-e196-4364-926a-63b5a6ce8667" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_130a749b-aa05-4bd0-b7f5-632286ea0031" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ad7598c6-6c45-4ef4-9e3e-7df3dc8cfa6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_130a749b-aa05-4bd0-b7f5-632286ea0031" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_906276e8-47be-43c1-a741-d3ad28346fef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_ad7598c6-6c45-4ef4-9e3e-7df3dc8cfa6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_906276e8-47be-43c1-a741-d3ad28346fef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_499147b6-d957-4b8f-92ed-459e40510254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_e7a31e57-8115-4215-a13d-09e32b13ef62" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_54735a39-d8f4-4c4b-8284-e01a0a89a28e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_e7a31e57-8115-4215-a13d-09e32b13ef62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_560ef0bf-30eb-4f64-9981-55d9d64368d9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_e7a31e57-8115-4215-a13d-09e32b13ef62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_560ef0bf-30eb-4f64-9981-55d9d64368d9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_d36af1b1-2389-4b8a-b722-d71856fb9fed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_e7a31e57-8115-4215-a13d-09e32b13ef62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_d36af1b1-2389-4b8a-b722-d71856fb9fed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssets" xlink:type="extended" id="ibbf4fee4e0da4af9953698e1f60a0818_GoodwillandIntangibleAssets"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i0065599a13384c07827a65079d960511_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillChangesinCarryingAmountDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillChangesinCarryingAmountDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillChangesinCarryingAmountDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="iefdede4295934d59938d1deb40e1a3f8_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillChangesinCarryingAmountDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4435321bcf784caabcdb16a429967652_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icb9da86157c346d68df7a93468ae8189_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_60fc9e3d-2cca-4723-890b-9de812f3f9ce" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_60fc9e3d-2cca-4723-890b-9de812f3f9ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_e65d65f9-2a72-4e3f-9a6c-0d4eda31b42b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_e65d65f9-2a72-4e3f-9a6c-0d4eda31b42b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh_f2aa2b8c-81d3-4623-84ce-208cdd533e50" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh_f2aa2b8c-81d3-4623-84ce-208cdd533e50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_Amortizationexpense_b4f85022-a19e-4e86-b5ed-e73711fefb6a" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_Amortizationexpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_Amortizationexpense_b4f85022-a19e-4e86-b5ed-e73711fefb6a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_90439958-d67b-4b92-bb77-d92509dd3f2e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_90439958-d67b-4b92-bb77-d92509dd3f2e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_5230e01f-e9cc-4994-943e-01e64a4e24f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsNet_5230e01f-e9cc-4994-943e-01e64a4e24f1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_697b65aa-5acc-41d4-a674-a5aaf5dbd656" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_82cd8778-ccec-4ec6-9bb9-cacf19b9c50d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_697b65aa-5acc-41d4-a674-a5aaf5dbd656" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_697b65aa-5acc-41d4-a674-a5aaf5dbd656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_58764427-b581-47bd-b719-da1a63eb2acc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_5bffe1af-79e8-4acd-9998-0599aaa8cda1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_58764427-b581-47bd-b719-da1a63eb2acc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_HeadlandMediaLimitedMember_3458a2e6-f197-4795-8afa-43a2b85fe5b7" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_HeadlandMediaLimitedMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_58764427-b581-47bd-b719-da1a63eb2acc" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_HeadlandMediaLimitedMember_3458a2e6-f197-4795-8afa-43a2b85fe5b7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_Q12017AcquisitionMember_b515fc84-bbbd-4f7f-b039-1a1abed7469c" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_Q12017AcquisitionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_58764427-b581-47bd-b719-da1a63eb2acc" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_Q12017AcquisitionMember_b515fc84-bbbd-4f7f-b039-1a1abed7469c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_697b65aa-5acc-41d4-a674-a5aaf5dbd656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_82cf536a-ca4a-4747-876b-09ca5bfb19d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_965f3140-9ecc-4c3b-9e64-3d53714eb43e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_82cf536a-ca4a-4747-876b-09ca5bfb19d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember_232e0166-34a8-48c9-bc39-c633b67098f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_82cf536a-ca4a-4747-876b-09ca5bfb19d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember_232e0166-34a8-48c9-bc39-c633b67098f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_f0fc7118-6a60-462e-ae1d-d95622484a26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_82cf536a-ca4a-4747-876b-09ca5bfb19d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_f0fc7118-6a60-462e-ae1d-d95622484a26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_a764b65f-bf99-4325-bf8a-d64617b6c20f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_82cf536a-ca4a-4747-876b-09ca5bfb19d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_a764b65f-bf99-4325-bf8a-d64617b6c20f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_697b65aa-5acc-41d4-a674-a5aaf5dbd656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_8ca42be7-34f4-4b09-928c-b7f8bd517411" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_4fcded11-cc31-4aeb-9af4-d7b91f61286d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_8ca42be7-34f4-4b09-928c-b7f8bd517411" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_KVHMediaGroupMember_8a910d10-3205-4a8e-8675-dba59519d85e" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_KVHMediaGroupMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_8ca42be7-34f4-4b09-928c-b7f8bd517411" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_KVHMediaGroupMember_8a910d10-3205-4a8e-8675-dba59519d85e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i75fa1023afe04d63808d27bca538db1c_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsGoodwillandIntangibleAssetsSubjecttoAmortizationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1c04e678-b436-49f4-b392-0bdc90289eb0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_be5bbca9-6903-4a98-9d99-c710bbc73252" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1c04e678-b436-49f4-b392-0bdc90289eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_be5bbca9-6903-4a98-9d99-c710bbc73252" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_7dd8fca2-ad86-4127-b3de-e130d24bce94" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1c04e678-b436-49f4-b392-0bdc90289eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_7dd8fca2-ad86-4127-b3de-e130d24bce94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_1a3acd92-0bb6-470f-a976-04c5ff537a00" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1c04e678-b436-49f4-b392-0bdc90289eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_1a3acd92-0bb6-470f-a976-04c5ff537a00" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_52214ceb-3b18-4603-8217-9410d2501b45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1c04e678-b436-49f4-b392-0bdc90289eb0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_52214ceb-3b18-4603-8217-9410d2501b45" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_52214ceb-3b18-4603-8217-9410d2501b45" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_59a8e44a-498c-47cb-9aad-f2aa738badab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1eae67d6-a807-42cb-ac0e-6b5f744157f0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1eae67d6-a807-42cb-ac0e-6b5f744157f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_6512982e-d896-43f3-a20d-e44ef7665b1a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_6512982e-d896-43f3-a20d-e44ef7665b1a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember_b1b8fee3-c1d2-435d-bae6-f2ba545932f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember_b1b8fee3-c1d2-435d-bae6-f2ba545932f7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_ProprietaryContentMember_63368f86-dfeb-4ab5-b73f-08f091c90a94" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_ProprietaryContentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_ProprietaryContentMember_63368f86-dfeb-4ab5-b73f-08f091c90a94" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember_f45aaca9-6e89-41dc-bb1c-bc7ef8bc3b0f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_34f2ea65-4bb6-4eea-823e-4804c778f301" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntellectualPropertyMember_f45aaca9-6e89-41dc-bb1c-bc7ef8bc3b0f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetRemainingUsefulLifeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetRemainingUsefulLifeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetRemainingUsefulLifeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i349b27e433c746dfb3bd5d02ec9ad66f_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetRemainingUsefulLifeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ae38ec8d-617b-4ad3-871c-58ff3a02c364" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1_57972bf9-3448-49fc-8eea-077a3c6d015b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ae38ec8d-617b-4ad3-871c-58ff3a02c364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsRemainingAmortizationPeriod1_57972bf9-3448-49fc-8eea-077a3c6d015b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_7baf87a3-1b46-48d5-89bc-c7ecf642665f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_ae38ec8d-617b-4ad3-871c-58ff3a02c364" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_7baf87a3-1b46-48d5-89bc-c7ecf642665f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_7baf87a3-1b46-48d5-89bc-c7ecf642665f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_cd56e84c-fcdf-4a8e-93a4-af9e56fc9804" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_f5b4815f-6c3b-4e4e-8391-e2f478d97e69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_cd56e84c-fcdf-4a8e-93a4-af9e56fc9804" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_5f425e96-afbb-46b7-af64-a5bf4d68487f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_cd56e84c-fcdf-4a8e-93a4-af9e56fc9804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_5f425e96-afbb-46b7-af64-a5bf4d68487f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_fd272480-b85e-4b74-83de-e435ba8c347a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_cd56e84c-fcdf-4a8e-93a4-af9e56fc9804" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DistributionRightsMember_fd272480-b85e-4b74-83de-e435ba8c347a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseRemainingDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseRemainingDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseRemainingDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie2a86ecab892417590045e7082eafc23_GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsFutureAmortizationExpenseRemainingDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606" xlink:type="extended" id="i1396143240c84024b7568ffa83ed69e3_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606Tables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606Tables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606Tables" xlink:type="extended" id="i77b7a8a70ad44935be9b2a4360e9fc91_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606Tables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606NarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606NarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606NarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idc08330967ad4143ba94eaade5f2b2bf_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606NarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606DisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606DisaggregationofRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606DisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia8ee56671f314c3aa868875ad1239bd6_RevenuefromContractswithCustomersASC606DisaggregationofRevenueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_7aa257db-3c8b-40a5-8ef7-1da6e01fc53b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e8a2a7fb-1534-4f56-8ce5-be1f461636a1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_7aa257db-3c8b-40a5-8ef7-1da6e01fc53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e8a2a7fb-1534-4f56-8ce5-be1f461636a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_90263457-e912-40a0-82ca-3483dd6835a4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_7aa257db-3c8b-40a5-8ef7-1da6e01fc53b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_90263457-e912-40a0-82ca-3483dd6835a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_90263457-e912-40a0-82ca-3483dd6835a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsAxis_16f186ba-6ecc-4137-a9f6-2af4a1e15c21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityProductSalesMember_992e79ef-e1f2-4fd6-81d6-0b1f1617f6d1" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileConnectivityProductSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityProductSalesMember_992e79ef-e1f2-4fd6-81d6-0b1f1617f6d1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileCommServicesSalesMember_358d9c6b-68d4-42f1-930b-2aad95ddaead" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileCommServicesSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileCommServicesSalesMember_358d9c6b-68d4-42f1-930b-2aad95ddaead" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_InertialNavigationProductSalesMember_468ecdb8-596e-4eba-9444-587a82cb89a9" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_InertialNavigationProductSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_InertialNavigationProductSalesMember_468ecdb8-596e-4eba-9444-587a82cb89a9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_InertialNavigationServiceSalesMember_cd16d518-bc58-401f-9ca8-1d0e7d46bc8f" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_InertialNavigationServiceSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsegmentsDomain_d029fa40-da3d-4662-b33e-d7d4de1bbea2" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_InertialNavigationServiceSalesMember_cd16d518-bc58-401f-9ca8-1d0e7d46bc8f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_90263457-e912-40a0-82ca-3483dd6835a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6204895-d097-4b6d-9f6f-f1d6d63dca36" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_0cb2f7c6-c5bb-442b-b27b-c6d9ebb61707" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6204895-d097-4b6d-9f6f-f1d6d63dca36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_c2f564b5-2caa-4249-8615-fb325924c092" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6204895-d097-4b6d-9f6f-f1d6d63dca36" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_MobileConnectivityMember_c2f564b5-2caa-4249-8615-fb325924c092" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_055aef58-3a01-4882-86b2-f445a79760d6" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6204895-d097-4b6d-9f6f-f1d6d63dca36" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_IntertialNavigationMember_055aef58-3a01-4882-86b2-f445a79760d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_90263457-e912-40a0-82ca-3483dd6835a4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_1a7757ac-fadd-478f-86c0-411734c1f9ed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceAxis_bc337325-ae23-461b-af30-a2b8e6d4a69b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_1a7757ac-fadd-478f-86c0-411734c1f9ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransferredAtPointInTimeMember_90f0b476-85fc-4c78-9ef3-ebe70fd097ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransferredAtPointInTimeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_1a7757ac-fadd-478f-86c0-411734c1f9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransferredAtPointInTimeMember_90f0b476-85fc-4c78-9ef3-ebe70fd097ef" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransferredOverTimeMember_36058cda-ac15-402d-ade6-f28df6f37811" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransferredOverTimeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TimingOfTransferOfGoodOrServiceDomain_1a7757ac-fadd-478f-86c0-411734c1f9ed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransferredOverTimeMember_36058cda-ac15-402d-ade6-f28df6f37811" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivities" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivities"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivities" xlink:type="extended" id="i609cc103ac914b98ae9092e244044664_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivities"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6d07e82f2c324f82bff35546e8a7e3bb_DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_0bb2a209-9764-4bbf-b448-61fe0b590529" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract_71c5b57a-20ef-4464-a344-2a8d4b02303f" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_0bb2a209-9764-4bbf-b448-61fe0b590529" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract_71c5b57a-20ef-4464-a344-2a8d4b02303f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_a03337d1-9cac-451d-8a21-da6dd9b65bcf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract_71c5b57a-20ef-4464-a344-2a8d4b02303f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNumberOfInstrumentsHeld_a03337d1-9cac-451d-8a21-da6dd9b65bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_fb43de62-0cf6-4444-9a0e-ae588c1027cb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract_71c5b57a-20ef-4464-a344-2a8d4b02303f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_fb43de62-0cf6-4444-9a0e-ae588c1027cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract_a52506dc-9b18-43fc-a137-48c57c2c4b6e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_kvhi_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesTextualAbstract_71c5b57a-20ef-4464-a344-2a8d4b02303f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract_a52506dc-9b18-43fc-a137-48c57c2c4b6e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_778e20d7-8328-4ac2-bf5c-8e1a3702e973" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsLineItems_0bb2a209-9764-4bbf-b448-61fe0b590529" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_778e20d7-8328-4ac2-bf5c-8e1a3702e973" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_778e20d7-8328-4ac2-bf5c-8e1a3702e973" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7076cce8-87e9-43f5-9668-a18180904197" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_4d630a0c-9d6d-45df-9aae-baf1ff3f35c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7076cce8-87e9-43f5-9668-a18180904197" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_c9641dd8-160f-45aa-9de9-2a777a314f6e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_7076cce8-87e9-43f5-9668-a18180904197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_c9641dd8-160f-45aa-9de9-2a777a314f6e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfTradingSecuritiesAndOtherTradingAssetsTable_778e20d7-8328-4ac2-bf5c-8e1a3702e973" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_e460b120-6477-4e1e-9aef-0ffe170173b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionLoanCategoryAxis_67403b77-0235-4084-b0e1-08407d4b242f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_e460b120-6477-4e1e-9aef-0ffe170173b9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_FirstHalfOfMortgageMember_17959422-9ddc-4b57-a369-ff834964fa6f" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_FirstHalfOfMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_e460b120-6477-4e1e-9aef-0ffe170173b9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_FirstHalfOfMortgageMember_17959422-9ddc-4b57-a369-ff834964fa6f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_SecondHalfOfMortgageMember_4eea1817-cd6c-4442-b356-300ea0f27d7b" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_SecondHalfOfMortgageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLoanCategoryDomain_e460b120-6477-4e1e-9aef-0ffe170173b9" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_SecondHalfOfMortgageMember_4eea1817-cd6c-4442-b356-300ea0f27d7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="i0a5760c2d16342b0a37c765a5b643eb1_IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3a579fac08f84bc1b2a073159178d798_IncomeTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#Leases"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="extended" id="i7d11684f0b8c4dd68f6c70262e71ba41_Leases"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LeasesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ie1c4c15e01a24af98a91f2cd6f58cc50_LeasesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i74f173afdf6d4910a9259015c0980201_LeasesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_c1d450b8-2847-48a9-b75c-eae78af16ca3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseCost_c1d450b8-2847-48a9-b75c-eae78af16ca3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermLeaseCost_ec37cf02-2320-40b7-968e-71367e2386a0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShortTermLeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShortTermLeaseCost_ec37cf02-2320-40b7-968e-71367e2386a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_cef87188-b7ed-4ea2-834d-67825a8ce97d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubleaseIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubleaseIncome_cef87188-b7ed-4ea2-834d-67825a8ce97d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeFinanceLeaseTermOfContract1_705ce57f-2f80-4c4b-99f3-a2785766d1f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeFinanceLeaseTermOfContract1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeFinanceLeaseTermOfContract1_705ce57f-2f80-4c4b-99f3-a2785766d1f1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_NumberofSatelliteHubsLeased_ad607ed6-4776-496e-a64e-035bea30009f" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_NumberofSatelliteHubsLeased"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_NumberofSatelliteHubsLeased_ad607ed6-4776-496e-a64e-035bea30009f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_b46fd65f-b1a3-4abd-95f6-47819c5ef511" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_b46fd65f-b1a3-4abd-95f6-47819c5ef511" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_e4ae31dc-27ac-43f6-b696-ae52bba392c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_e4ae31dc-27ac-43f6-b696-ae52bba392c7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_31efd201-29d6-4dc4-b25e-148a0ab80d36" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_31efd201-29d6-4dc4-b25e-148a0ab80d36" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization_30e49742-d0eb-4bf4-b096-a0ccb3b6ce83" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAmortization_30e49742-d0eb-4bf4-b096-a0ccb3b6ce83" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1_7bbedfee-e111-45c9-a578-c125fed6612e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LessorSalesTypeLeaseTermOfContract1_7bbedfee-e111-45c9-a578-c125fed6612e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseCurrent_8414a18c-2170-4826-8d4a-885f11c462ad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseCurrent_8414a18c-2170-4826-8d4a-885f11c462ad" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseNoncurrent_bd3ee122-e122-4e14-a289-a6d56b4e0599" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetInvestmentInLeaseNoncurrent_bd3ee122-e122-4e14-a289-a6d56b4e0599" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseInterestIncome_b84899cc-5801-4969-b9ee-f30d7d707579" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseInterestIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SalesTypeLeaseInterestIncome_b84899cc-5801-4969-b9ee-f30d7d707579" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_e2dfb219-a8b9-4b73-80b5-0f1b432e17ac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8249a99e-33ff-4dfc-9d95-af8737a4bbf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_e2dfb219-a8b9-4b73-80b5-0f1b432e17ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_e2dfb219-a8b9-4b73-80b5-0f1b432e17ac" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea63e0c0-03f3-4b6b-b507-06ec1be30e54" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_6dcd8f3e-9039-45e9-8677-14c742c84ffb" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea63e0c0-03f3-4b6b-b507-06ec1be30e54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_dd8118d8-46d8-4369-a8fd-a361105b5b44" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea63e0c0-03f3-4b6b-b507-06ec1be30e54" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_dd8118d8-46d8-4369-a8fd-a361105b5b44" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_2c4c4f2c-0d4b-482c-bdd7-dcd0eea444cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2019/elts/srt-2019-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ea63e0c0-03f3-4b6b-b507-06ec1be30e54" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_2c4c4f2c-0d4b-482c-bdd7-dcd0eea444cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_e2dfb219-a8b9-4b73-80b5-0f1b432e17ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8bd0304f-bd8f-4d98-a659-1cc86163f12a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_a6502b82-ad13-41e1-8eb9-81a6ce946b7e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8bd0304f-bd8f-4d98-a659-1cc86163f12a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_AssetsHeldUnderFinanceLeasesMember_af29a4e0-d31d-46c3-8dcb-e84957f7cef8" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_AssetsHeldUnderFinanceLeasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_8bd0304f-bd8f-4d98-a659-1cc86163f12a" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_AssetsHeldUnderFinanceLeasesMember_af29a4e0-d31d-46c3-8dcb-e84957f7cef8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesFutureMinimumOperatingLeasePaymentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LeasesFutureMinimumOperatingLeasePaymentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesFutureMinimumOperatingLeasePaymentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5fd9f5df74c142b0805c5feb749fab24_LeasesFutureMinimumOperatingLeasePaymentsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesFutureMinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LeasesFutureMinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesFutureMinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i21368f4946134b8db10de616a3772c95_LeasesFutureMinimumFinanceLeasePaymentsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesSalestypeLeaseFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#LeasesSalestypeLeaseFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/LeasesSalestypeLeaseFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8239231fe01447139d2b7e599f569ba9_LeasesSalestypeLeaseFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DiscontinuedOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperations" xlink:type="extended" id="iefc69fd3fb01454eb0bacf25863a53b5_DiscontinuedOperations"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i3ede73d0bea74816ae210fd80e8d970f_DiscontinuedOperationsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsResultsforDiscontinuedOperationstotheNetIncomeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsResultsforDiscontinuedOperationstotheNetIncomeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsResultsforDiscontinuedOperationstotheNetIncomeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4111a2254298478686b38b8ade60835f_DiscontinuedOperationsResultsforDiscontinuedOperationstotheNetIncomeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_5f420705-fa4f-4eed-9621-9faca86795aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_5f420705-fa4f-4eed-9621-9faca86795aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_e7c2b147-765c-4cfe-b901-a037607efef0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_5f420705-fa4f-4eed-9621-9faca86795aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationRevenue_e7c2b147-765c-4cfe-b901-a037607efef0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_6759ffee-2b2b-4aa6-980b-4c8b573ea228" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsOfGoodsSold_6759ffee-2b2b-4aa6-980b-4c8b573ea228" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_kvhi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSalesMarketingandSupport_2778ff5e-e84a-457a-86cc-99197128176d" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#kvhi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSalesMarketingandSupport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:to="loc_kvhi_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationSalesMarketingandSupport_2778ff5e-e84a-457a-86cc-99197128176d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_8965fa92-5d2c-4312-a647-e02533abd1ad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_8965fa92-5d2c-4312-a647-e02533abd1ad" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense_8b033db9-f603-4bbf-94f5-d06c3d66ed06" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract_1386dacb-0c1e-4528-94ef-648981949877" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationOtherExpense_8b033db9-f603-4bbf-94f5-d06c3d66ed06" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_31c12210-bf86-4a21-b632-9ff44f3e8052" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationDuringPhaseOutPeriodBeforeIncomeTax_31c12210-bf86-4a21-b632-9ff44f3e8052" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_cc327c18-7ea4-4572-8c97-d81ea77a2a07" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationGainLossFromDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_cc327c18-7ea4-4572-8c97-d81ea77a2a07" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_3b4cd22e-7d5e-46ad-b7be-5e1e0b1e51ab" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationIncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationBeforeIncomeTax_3b4cd22e-7d5e-46ad-b7be-5e1e0b1e51ab" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_c51ababb-0786-4a9d-9be7-27c0a0409046" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationTaxEffectOfDiscontinuedOperation_c51ababb-0786-4a9d-9be7-27c0a0409046" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_2ed63f5d-84fb-4cde-bd6b-b7c96398280e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxAttributableToReportingEntity_2ed63f5d-84fb-4cde-bd6b-b7c96398280e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d320ad66-6079-45bc-96c1-7af75127fc26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d320ad66-6079-45bc-96c1-7af75127fc26" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare_4ecb178a-1bd2-45fd-ab5d-3d1b17428e43" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsAndDisposalOfDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShareAbstract_d320ad66-6079-45bc-96c1-7af75127fc26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromDiscontinuedOperationsNetOfTaxPerBasicAndDilutedShare_4ecb178a-1bd2-45fd-ab5d-3d1b17428e43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_9c3c355c-9d74-4de4-9fc4-1e18004d3f9c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_9c3c355c-9d74-4de4-9fc4-1e18004d3f9c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_356b38e9-1e55-451e-9023-1ad806379a85" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingDilutedDisclosureItemsAbstract_9c3c355c-9d74-4de4-9fc4-1e18004d3f9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfShareOutstandingBasicAndDiluted_356b38e9-1e55-451e-9023-1ad806379a85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_9b712239-8cf9-446d-aa6e-7d32876923f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_2bde21f2-513c-413c-acd8-0295f8e9ad25" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_9b712239-8cf9-446d-aa6e-7d32876923f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_9b712239-8cf9-446d-aa6e-7d32876923f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_af761329-fbda-4f49-830d-89a22beea4da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_d6f3d89f-8b75-4ca1-bdaf-d824baa0975f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_af761329-fbda-4f49-830d-89a22beea4da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_b406cc50-5b64-4f10-ae09-cb5258cb290f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_af761329-fbda-4f49-830d-89a22beea4da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_b406cc50-5b64-4f10-ae09-cb5258cb290f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_c09f2173-db1c-4caa-8a8e-28ccdc99baa8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_af761329-fbda-4f49-830d-89a22beea4da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_c09f2173-db1c-4caa-8a8e-28ccdc99baa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsSupplementalCashflowforDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="kvhi-20200930.xsd#DiscontinuedOperationsSupplementalCashflowforDiscontinuedOperationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.kvh.com/role/DiscontinuedOperationsSupplementalCashflowforDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2c45406e2d004275be1e7cd420e5a6ca_DiscontinuedOperationsSupplementalCashflowforDiscontinuedOperationsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_0c7ce654-9f65-4c8e-a9e0-b510bbcacbe5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations_0da973c0-cfe7-40ba-a56a-7b63b43efa62" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_0c7ce654-9f65-4c8e-a9e0-b510bbcacbe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations_0da973c0-cfe7-40ba-a56a-7b63b43efa62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations_d7ef036a-13ed-449c-85cf-fb340a5b68c8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_0c7ce654-9f65-4c8e-a9e0-b510bbcacbe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesDiscontinuedOperations_d7ef036a-13ed-449c-85cf-fb340a5b68c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_923fb995-728f-4c9b-bba1-7be4039c1955" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsLineItems_0c7ce654-9f65-4c8e-a9e0-b510bbcacbe5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_923fb995-728f-4c9b-bba1-7be4039c1955" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsTable_923fb995-728f-4c9b-bba1-7be4039c1955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_be23682d-05bd-4552-867c-ea99eb275d09" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis_e964baff-db48-4363-ac26-fb934ec3dbfd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_be23682d-05bd-4552-867c-ea99eb275d09" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_cfab1d69-3a59-4963-9e9d-59374b34416b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_be23682d-05bd-4552-867c-ea99eb275d09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsDisposedOfBySaleMember_cfab1d69-3a59-4963-9e9d-59374b34416b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_d04b165b-3208-4e94-8408-4d4549e0de8e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2019/elts/us-gaap-2019-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationDomain_be23682d-05bd-4552-867c-ea99eb275d09" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DiscontinuedOperationsHeldforsaleMember_d04b165b-3208-4e94-8408-4d4549e0de8e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
