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Ryland Group Inc – ‘10-Q’ for 3/31/12 – ‘EX-101.DEF’

On:  Tuesday, 5/8/12, at 4:15pm ET   ·   For:  3/31/12   ·   Accession #:  1104659-12-34489   ·   File #:  1-08029

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 5/08/12  Ryland Group Inc                  10-Q        3/31/12   80:15M                                    Toppan Merrill/FA

Quarterly Report   —   Form 10-Q   —   Sect. 13 / 15(d) – SEA’34
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-Q        Quarterly Report                                    HTML   1.11M 
 2: EX-12.1     Statement re: Computation of Ratios                 HTML     62K 
 3: EX-31.1     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     28K 
 4: EX-31.2     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     28K 
 5: EX-32.1     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     24K 
 6: EX-32.2     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     24K 
54: R1          Document and Entity Information                     HTML     43K 
42: R2          Consolidated Statements of Earnings                 HTML    119K 
52: R3          Consolidated Balance Sheets                         HTML    119K 
56: R4          Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)         HTML     39K 
74: R5          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               HTML    132K 
44: R6          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               HTML     24K 
                (Parenthetical)                                                  
51: R7          Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity      HTML     49K 
38: R8          Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity      HTML     24K 
                (Parenthetical)                                                  
28: R9          Consolidated Statements of Other Comprehensive      HTML     24K 
                Income                                                           
75: R10         Consolidated Financial Statements                   HTML     35K 
58: R11         Comprehensive Loss                                  HTML     30K 
57: R12         Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash          HTML     30K 
63: R13         Segment Information                                 HTML     70K 
64: R14         Earnings Per Share Reconciliation                   HTML     69K 
61: R15         Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale           HTML    139K 
65: R16         Housing Inventories                                 HTML     83K 
53: R17         Variable Interest Entities ("Vie")                  HTML     29K 
55: R18         Investments in Joint Ventures                       HTML     62K 
60: R19         Debt and Credit Facilities                          HTML     57K 
80: R20         Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial           HTML    112K 
                Instruments                                                      
70: R21         Postretirement Benefits                             HTML     34K 
48: R22         Income Taxes                                        HTML     31K 
59: R23         Stock-Based Compensation                            HTML    110K 
50: R24         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML    118K 
21: R25         New Accounting Pronouncements                       HTML     30K 
71: R26         Supplemental Guarantor Information                  HTML    586K 
77: R27         Discontinued Operations                             HTML     48K 
33: R28         Subsequent Events                                   HTML     24K 
32: R29         Segment Information (Tables)                        HTML     63K 
36: R30         Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Tables)          HTML     61K 
37: R31         Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Tables)  HTML    136K 
39: R32         Housing Inventories (Tables)                        HTML     74K 
19: R33         Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)              HTML     56K 
68: R34         Debt and Credit Facilities (Tables)                 HTML     54K 
46: R35         Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial           HTML    102K 
                Instruments (Tables)                                             
49: R36         Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)                   HTML    102K 
24: R37         Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)              HTML    116K 
79: R38         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)         HTML    573K 
13: R39         Discontinued Operations (Tables)                    HTML     44K 
40: R40         Consolidated Financial Statements (Details)         HTML     28K 
73: R41         Comprehensive Loss (Details)                        HTML     26K 
23: R42         Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash          HTML     40K 
                (Details)                                                        
31: R43         Segment Information (Details)                       HTML     48K 
35: R44         Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details)         HTML     86K 
43: R45         Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale           HTML     62K 
                (Details)                                                        
18: R46         Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale (Details  HTML     38K 
                2)                                                               
27: R47         Housing Inventories (Details)                       HTML     59K 
16: R48         Variable Interest Entities ("Vie") (Details)        HTML     34K 
72: R49         Investments in Joint Ventures (Details)             HTML     47K 
22: R50         Debt and Credit Facilities (Details)                HTML     56K 
69: R51         Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial           HTML     64K 
                Instruments (Details)                                            
25: R52         Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial           HTML     35K 
                Instruments (Details 2)                                          
41: R53         Fair Values of Financial and Nonfinancial           HTML     30K 
                Instruments (Details 3)                                          
14: R54         Postretirement Benefits (Details)                   HTML     51K 
17: R55         Income Taxes (Details)                              HTML     40K 
34: R56         Stock-Based Compensation (Details)                  HTML    108K 
20: R57         Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2)                HTML     46K 
76: R58         Commitments and Contingencies (Details)             HTML     54K 
45: R59         Commitments and Contingencies (Details 2)           HTML     66K 
62: R60         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details)        HTML     29K 
26: R61         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 2)      HTML     67K 
29: R62         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 3)      HTML    106K 
67: R63         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 4)      HTML    153K 
66: R64         Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details 5)      HTML     30K 
47: R65         Discontinued Operations (Details)                   HTML     50K 
78: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    118K 
30: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports (.xls)            XLS   2.80M 
 7: EX-101.INS  XBRL Instance -- ryl-20120331                        XML   3.58M 
 9: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- ryl-20120331_cal                XML    200K 
12: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- ryl-20120331_def                 XML   1.10M 
10: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- ryl-20120331_lab                      XML   3.14M 
11: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- ryl-20120331_pre               XML   1.60M 
 8: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- ryl-20120331                          XSD    271K 
15: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001104659-12-034489-xbrl      Zip    283K 


‘EX-101.DEF’   —   XBRL Definitions — ryl-20120331_def


This Exhibit is an XBRL XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<!-- Created by Merrill Corporation -->
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<link:linkbase xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt">
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementOfIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#StatementOfIncome"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/BalanceSheet" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#BalanceSheet"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/CashFlows" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#CashFlows"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementOfStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#StatementOfStockholdersEquity"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDebtAndCreditFacilitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureDebtAndCreditFacilitiesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosurePostretirementBenefitsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosurePostretirementBenefitsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSegmentInformationDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureMarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails3"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails4"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialAndNonfinancialInstrumentsDetails3"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails3"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails4"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesDetails2"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureIncomeTaxesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails4" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureStockBasedCompensationDetails4"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#StatementOfComprehensiveIncome"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureCashCashEquivalentsAndRestrictedCashDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureHousingInventoriesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureHousingInventoriesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureVariableInterestEntitiesVIEDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureVariableInterestEntitiesVIEDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsInJointVenturesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureInvestmentsInJointVenturesDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSubsequentEventsDetails"/>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.ryland.com/role/DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails5" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#DisclosureSupplementalGuarantorInformationDetails5"/>
<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/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
<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/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/all" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.ryland.com/role/StatementOfIncome">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="StatementLineItems" xlink:title="StatementLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="StatementTable" xlink:title="StatementTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="StatementTable" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to StatementTable" order="10.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:label="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:title="StatementScenarioAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="StatementTable" xlink:to="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:title="definition: StatementTable to StatementScenarioAxis" order="10.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:title="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:title="definition: StatementScenarioAxis to ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" order="10.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" xlink:label="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2" xlink:title="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:to="ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: StatementScenarioAxis to ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain" order="20.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract" xlink:label="RevenuesAbstract" xlink:title="RevenuesAbstract"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="RevenuesAbstract" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to RevenuesAbstract" use="optional" order="20.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_HomeBuildingRevenues" xlink:label="HomeBuildingRevenues" xlink:title="HomeBuildingRevenues"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RevenuesAbstract" xlink:to="HomeBuildingRevenues" xlink:title="definition: RevenuesAbstract to HomeBuildingRevenues" use="optional" order="10.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_FinancialServicesBusinessRevenues" xlink:label="FinancialServicesBusinessRevenues" xlink:title="FinancialServicesBusinessRevenues"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RevenuesAbstract" xlink:to="FinancialServicesBusinessRevenues" xlink:title="definition: RevenuesAbstract to FinancialServicesBusinessRevenues" use="optional" order="20.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues" xlink:label="Revenues" xlink:title="Revenues"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="RevenuesAbstract" xlink:to="Revenues" xlink:title="definition: RevenuesAbstract to Revenues" use="optional" order="30.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:label="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:title="CostsAndExpensesAbstract"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to CostsAndExpensesAbstract" use="optional" order="30.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_CostOfSalesIncludingHomesLandAndLots" xlink:label="CostOfSalesIncludingHomesLandAndLots" xlink:title="CostOfSalesIncludingHomesLandAndLots"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="CostOfSalesIncludingHomesLandAndLots" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to CostOfSalesIncludingHomesLandAndLots" use="optional" order="10.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses" xlink:label="SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses" xlink:title="SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpenses" use="optional" order="20.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_FinancialServicesBusinessExpenses" xlink:label="FinancialServicesBusinessExpenses" xlink:title="FinancialServicesBusinessExpenses"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="FinancialServicesBusinessExpenses" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to FinancialServicesBusinessExpenses" use="optional" order="30.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_CorporateExpense" xlink:label="CorporateExpense" xlink:title="CorporateExpense"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="CorporateExpense" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to CorporateExpense" use="optional" order="40.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="InterestExpense" xlink:title="InterestExpense"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="InterestExpense" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to InterestExpense" use="optional" order="50.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses" xlink:label="CostsAndExpenses" xlink:title="CostsAndExpenses"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="CostsAndExpensesAbstract" xlink:to="CostsAndExpenses" xlink:title="definition: CostsAndExpensesAbstract to CostsAndExpenses" use="optional" order="60.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_OtherIncomeLossAbstract" xlink:label="OtherIncomeLossAbstract" xlink:title="OtherIncomeLossAbstract"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="StatementLineItems" xlink:to="OtherIncomeLossAbstract" xlink:title="definition: StatementLineItems to OtherIncomeLossAbstract" use="optional" order="40.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_GainLossFromMarketableSecuritiesNet" xlink:label="GainLossFromMarketableSecuritiesNet" xlink:title="GainLossFromMarketableSecuritiesNet"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherIncomeLossAbstract" xlink:to="GainLossFromMarketableSecuritiesNet" xlink:title="definition: OtherIncomeLossAbstract to GainLossFromMarketableSecuritiesNet" use="optional" order="10.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" xlink:label="GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" xlink:title="GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="OtherIncomeLossAbstract" xlink:to="GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" xlink:title="definition: OtherIncomeLossAbstract to GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt" use="optional" order="8000.0"/>
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<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EntityDomain" xlink:to="GuarantorSubsidiariesMember" xlink:title="definition: EntityDomain to GuarantorSubsidiariesMember" use="optional" order="2.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentCompanyMember" xlink:label="ParentCompanyMember" xlink:title="ParentCompanyMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EntityDomain" xlink:to="ParentCompanyMember" xlink:title="definition: EntityDomain to ParentCompanyMember" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember" xlink:label="NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember" xlink:title="NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EntityDomain" xlink:to="NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember" xlink:title="definition: EntityDomain to NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember" use="optional" order="3.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ConsolidationEliminationsMember" xlink:label="ConsolidationEliminationsMember" xlink:title="ConsolidationEliminationsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="EntityDomain" xlink:to="ConsolidationEliminationsMember" xlink:title="definition: EntityDomain to ConsolidationEliminationsMember" use="optional" order="4.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems" xlink:label="ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems" xlink:title="ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems" xlink:to="ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems to ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTable" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:label="ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:title="ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems" xlink:to="ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" xlink:title="definition: ConsolidatingStatementsOfOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems to ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTaxIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest" use="optional" order="2.0"/>
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<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:label="DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:title="DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:title="definition: DebtInstrumentAxis to DebtInstrumentNameDomain" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember" xlink:label="LineOfCreditMember" xlink:title="LineOfCreditMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="DebtInstrumentNameDomain" xlink:to="LineOfCreditMember" xlink:title="definition: DebtInstrumentNameDomain to LineOfCreditMember" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:title="LineOfCreditFacilityAxis"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:title="LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:title="definition: LineOfCreditFacilityAxis to LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_JPMorganChaseBankMember" xlink:label="JPMorganChaseBankMember" xlink:title="JPMorganChaseBankMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:to="JPMorganChaseBankMember" xlink:title="definition: LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain to JPMorganChaseBankMember" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:label="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:title="SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="SubsequentEventLineItems" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventLineItems to SubsequentEventTable" order="1.0" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to SubsequentEventTypeAxis" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2011/elts/us-gaap-2011-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:label="SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeAxis" xlink:to="SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeAxis to SubsequentEventTypeDomain" use="optional" priority="1" order="2.0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="ryl-20120331.xsd#ryl_IncreaseInBorrowingCapacityMember" xlink:label="IncreaseInBorrowingCapacityMember" xlink:title="IncreaseInBorrowingCapacityMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:to="IncreaseInBorrowingCapacityMember" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTypeDomain to IncreaseInBorrowingCapacityMember" use="optional" order="1.0"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="DebtInstrumentAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to DebtInstrumentAxis" use="optional" order="2.0"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="SubsequentEventTable" xlink:to="LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:title="definition: SubsequentEventTable to LineOfCreditFacilityAxis" use="optional" order="3.0"/>
</link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>

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