SEC Info  
    Home      Search      My Interests      Help      Sign In      Please Sign In

Carter’s, Inc. – ‘10-Q’ for 7/2/22 – ‘EX-101.DEF’

On:  Friday, 7/29/22, at 1:29pm ET   ·   For:  7/2/22   ·   Accession #:  1060822-22-166   ·   File #:  1-31829

Previous ‘10-Q’:  ‘10-Q’ on 4/29/22 for 4/2/22   ·   Next:  ‘10-Q’ on 10/28/22 for 10/1/22   ·   Latest:  ‘10-Q’ on 4/26/24 for 3/30/24   ·   2 References:   

Find Words in Filings emoji
 
  in    Show  and   Hints

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

 7/29/22  Carter’s, Inc.                    10-Q        7/02/22   66:7M

Quarterly Report   —   Form 10-Q

Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-Q        Quarterly Report                                    HTML   1.73M 
 2: EX-31.1     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     23K 
 3: EX-31.2     Certification -- §302 - SOA'02                      HTML     24K 
 4: EX-32.0     Certification -- §906 - SOA'02                      HTML     21K 
10: R1          Cover Page                                          HTML     75K 
11: R2          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets               HTML    153K 
12: R3          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets               HTML     48K 
                (Parenthetical)                                                  
13: R4          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations     HTML    112K 
14: R5          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive  HTML     46K 
                Income                                                           
15: R6          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in     HTML     97K 
                Stockholders' Equity                                             
16: R7          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     HTML    131K 
17: R8          The Company                                         HTML     22K 
18: R9          Basis of Presentation                               HTML     27K 
19: R10         Revenue Recognition                                 HTML    113K 
20: R11         Leases                                              HTML     46K 
21: R12         Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss                HTML     31K 
22: R13         Goodwill and Intangible Assets                      HTML    102K 
23: R14         Common Stock                                        HTML     41K 
24: R15         Long-Term Debt                                      HTML     45K 
25: R16         Stock-Based Compensation                            HTML     35K 
26: R17         Income Taxes                                        HTML     27K 
27: R18         Fair Value Measurements                             HTML     26K 
28: R19         Earnings Per Share                                  HTML     58K 
29: R20         Other Current Liabilities                           HTML     38K 
30: R21         Commitments and Contingencies                       HTML     22K 
31: R22         Segment Information                                 HTML     93K 
32: R23         Revenue Recognition (Tables)                        HTML    109K 
33: R24         Leases (Tables)                                     HTML     45K 
34: R25         Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)       HTML     30K 
35: R26         Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)             HTML    106K 
36: R27         Common Stock (Tables)                               HTML     37K 
37: R28         Long-Term Debt (Tables)                             HTML     40K 
38: R29         Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)                   HTML     36K 
39: R30         Earnings Per Share (Tables)                         HTML     57K 
40: R31         Other Current Liabilities (Tables)                  HTML     38K 
41: R32         Segment Information (Tables)                        HTML     89K 
42: R33         Basis of Presentation (Details)                     HTML     29K 
43: R34         REVENUE RECOGNITION - Disaggregation of Revenue     HTML     74K 
                (Details)                                                        
44: R35         REVENUE RECOGNITION - Contract Liabilities          HTML     34K 
                (Details)                                                        
45: R36         LEASES - Operating lease Terms of Contract          HTML     41K 
                (Details)                                                        
46: R37         LEASES - Cost and Supplementary Information         HTML     27K 
                (Details)                                                        
47: R38         LEASES - Maturities of lease liabilities (Details)  HTML     41K 
48: R39         Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)      HTML     32K 
49: R40         GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Goodwill by        HTML     41K 
                Segment (Details)                                                
50: R41         GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Carrying Value of  HTML     69K 
                Intangible Assets (Details)                                      
51: R42         GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated          HTML     32K 
                Amortization Expense (Details)                                   
52: R43         COMMON STOCK - Share Repurchases (Details)          HTML     34K 
53: R44         Long-Term Debt (Details)                            HTML    116K 
54: R45         Stock-Based Compensation (Details)                  HTML     30K 
55: R46         Income Taxes (Details)                              HTML     30K 
56: R47         FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Investments (Details)     HTML     27K 
57: R48         FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS - Borrowings (Details)      HTML     37K 
58: R49         Earnings Per Share (Details)                        HTML     88K 
59: R50         Other Current Liabilities (Details)                 HTML     46K 
60: R51         Segment Information (Details)                       HTML     53K 
61: R52         Segment Information Segment Charges (Details)       HTML     44K 
64: XML         IDEA XML File -- Filing Summary                      XML    114K 
62: XML         XBRL Instance -- cri-20220702_htm                    XML   2.11M 
63: EXCEL       IDEA Workbook of Financial Reports                  XLSX    109K 
 6: EX-101.CAL  XBRL Calculations -- cri-20220702_cal                XML    185K 
 7: EX-101.DEF  XBRL Definitions -- cri-20220702_def                 XML    297K 
 8: EX-101.LAB  XBRL Labels -- cri-20220702_lab                      XML   1.16M 
 9: EX-101.PRE  XBRL Presentations -- cri-20220702_pre               XML    645K 
 5: EX-101.SCH  XBRL Schema -- cri-20220702                          XSD    117K 
65: JSON        XBRL Instance as JSON Data -- MetaLinks              316±   461K 
66: ZIP         XBRL Zipped Folder -- 0001060822-22-000166-xbrl      Zip    327K 


‘EX-101.DEF’   —   XBRL Definitions — cri-20220702_def


This Exhibit is an XBRL XML File.


                                                                                                                                                                                
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="windows-1252"?>
<!-- XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva -->
<!-- Copyright 2022 Workiva -->
<!-- r:a4ad5531-831d-41aa-ac14-f2ef7708e438,g:559ae607-a591-4b3b-a16a-96ca527d3a47 -->
<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.carters.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="i6a13315d5ac0473e9d11e970d4fd397c_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFCHANGESINSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_b6776b76-2edf-4b77-a6f1-c56283351d9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_b6776b76-2edf-4b77-a6f1-c56283351d9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_07622434-ed64-4a93-ad3b-4ca11005e4bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_07622434-ed64-4a93-ad3b-4ca11005e4bc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_d055430b-e381-4aaf-8bd4-e52f2bbf4499" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_d055430b-e381-4aaf-8bd4-e52f2bbf4499" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_208918b8-3f9c-4b29-a376-832815a025e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_208918b8-3f9c-4b29-a376-832815a025e3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_77bd07cf-ca8c-4c99-8eb8-9ed57ea9f515" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_77bd07cf-ca8c-4c99-8eb8-9ed57ea9f515" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_ad17204d-fbd3-493e-a597-fd9357d26d2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_ad17204d-fbd3-493e-a597-fd9357d26d2b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_29373896-2a10-4c2f-ac85-5ee7a7757379" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_29373896-2a10-4c2f-ac85-5ee7a7757379" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_a772a29e-a1b1-4ad0-a63f-caf5ec54c630" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_a772a29e-a1b1-4ad0-a63f-caf5ec54c630" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_b55580eb-116d-4864-9f7d-db0f9509e45f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_b55580eb-116d-4864-9f7d-db0f9509e45f" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_3f967acf-d564-4af7-b102-bbb55777cff6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_3f967acf-d564-4af7-b102-bbb55777cff6" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_55089526-fed8-4be4-8ec2-3801545765c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_55089526-fed8-4be4-8ec2-3801545765c1" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_3a277f8a-714d-44e7-b98e-40fb63b1d078" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_3a277f8a-714d-44e7-b98e-40fb63b1d078" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_e742eee3-3c5a-49cc-8657-30d05516482a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash_e742eee3-3c5a-49cc-8657-30d05516482a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_b89cda2d-ddc1-4a4e-8c8d-d027edcd9c1f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b740af41-8442-47b7-8b9c-6f5da77a965d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_b89cda2d-ddc1-4a4e-8c8d-d027edcd9c1f" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_2dbb3d24-0d3f-4873-9945-0330693331c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_09f506ed-33c3-4d69-ba96-990696b27542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_158ddd85-a055-4a58-a969-13049f82950c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_b6776b76-2edf-4b77-a6f1-c56283351d9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared_158ddd85-a055-4a58-a969-13049f82950c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a4411b4b-bac1-472f-952e-641e2481b642" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_b6776b76-2edf-4b77-a6f1-c56283351d9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a4411b4b-bac1-472f-952e-641e2481b642" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_a4411b4b-bac1-472f-952e-641e2481b642" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_ea3f7a7c-c7c2-4e8f-9352-9b628d331b27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_3efa0527-8af8-4193-8f89-49f67ea5dcc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_3efa0527-8af8-4193-8f89-49f67ea5dcc2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f043fb1e-6084-4e76-b632-2a909ec19f9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_f043fb1e-6084-4e76-b632-2a909ec19f9f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_63f00405-696d-4325-9921-55fa4daea292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_63f00405-696d-4325-9921-55fa4daea292" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c3802767-660f-4aed-8987-43e74c90335f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_446c1f05-cff5-4b0f-a90a-0e5b6301d0b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_c3802767-660f-4aed-8987-43e74c90335f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id60e8ad28e1d4c64823f7dadefd1dda5_REVENUERECOGNITIONDisaggregationofRevenueDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_5ee17562-1009-4e60-8b0d-ed0754ff98ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_5ee17562-1009-4e60-8b0d-ed0754ff98ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_1b8ac8e6-281f-4b4d-85b0-cd441a339432" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsReceivableGrossCurrent_1b8ac8e6-281f-4b4d-85b0-cd441a339432" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_170237be-f00b-44be-bb81-73074fe5d521" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivableCurrent_170237be-f00b-44be-bb81-73074fe5d521" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_627e9345-1938-4f39-b379-88e641530388" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivablesNetCurrent_627e9345-1938-4f39-b379-88e641530388" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_a8721a51-439c-4715-8b2b-62b3d3a42da1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_9b69fc30-aeec-48af-a4a1-281c58849254" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_a8721a51-439c-4715-8b2b-62b3d3a42da1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_a8721a51-439c-4715-8b2b-62b3d3a42da1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f831afdd-9ef4-41c9-932e-16f03fcb4dc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a3d4000b-280a-4743-af20-e6964fa0f52a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f831afdd-9ef4-41c9-932e-16f03fcb4dc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_191a4341-6f17-4294-9398-b6e1c12b415a" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f831afdd-9ef4-41c9-932e-16f03fcb4dc8" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_191a4341-6f17-4294-9398-b6e1c12b415a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_9d4aa8ba-4ffd-45ea-ad5c-91ab697a8bab" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f831afdd-9ef4-41c9-932e-16f03fcb4dc8" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_9d4aa8ba-4ffd-45ea-ad5c-91ab697a8bab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalMember_864af0f8-ecc2-4134-aaf7-554f5bec7a17" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_InternationalMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f831afdd-9ef4-41c9-932e-16f03fcb4dc8" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalMember_864af0f8-ecc2-4134-aaf7-554f5bec7a17" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_a8721a51-439c-4715-8b2b-62b3d3a42da1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_22ac45aa-325c-4c52-98dc-8fdd12315093" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelAxis_41958729-8005-4c2f-9391-903385321100" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_22ac45aa-325c-4c52-98dc-8fdd12315093" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_sic_Z5130_108e4877-e2a7-4983-a0cb-af6fa8404926" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2021/sic-2021.xsd#sic_Z5130"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_22ac45aa-325c-4c52-98dc-8fdd12315093" xlink:to="loc_sic_Z5130_108e4877-e2a7-4983-a0cb-af6fa8404926" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_sic_Z5600_a7d610e8-cd6c-4282-9103-3bdcf5b66fce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2021/sic-2021.xsd#sic_Z5600"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_22ac45aa-325c-4c52-98dc-8fdd12315093" xlink:to="loc_sic_Z5600_a7d610e8-cd6c-4282-9103-3bdcf5b66fce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember_e2d4e372-6582-4a7c-b999-4a2da090f678" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerSalesChannelDomain_22ac45aa-325c-4c52-98dc-8fdd12315093" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LicensingAgreementsMember_e2d4e372-6582-4a7c-b999-4a2da090f678" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_a8721a51-439c-4715-8b2b-62b3d3a42da1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableByReceivableTypeAxis_17f5723b-0558-4929-ac5f-8d796b1f53a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_45b00664-b999-415b-a84b-42c6676744e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeAccountsReceivableMember_45b00664-b999-415b-a84b-42c6676744e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_2a56b520-1fad-4e5b-a384-b12f5ad0013f" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:to="loc_cri_RoyaltiesReceivableMember_2a56b520-1fad-4e5b-a384-b12f5ad0013f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_29aedcdc-9ccd-4d3c-8527-be1a776f277b" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:to="loc_cri_TenantAllowancesAndOtherReceivablesMember_29aedcdc-9ccd-4d3c-8527-be1a776f277b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_c8cb1802-78c0-4654-8904-19d70bbf664b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReceivableTypeDomain_c3d03a63-a5a6-44da-8402-4139c31729cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_c8cb1802-78c0-4654-8904-19d70bbf664b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LEASESOperatingleaseTermsofContractDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#LEASESOperatingleaseTermsofContractDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LEASESOperatingleaseTermsofContractDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib9ca49a4b79b4384a3deafaee81a7511_LEASESOperatingleaseTermsofContractDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseInitialTerm_154d01c8-e779-4a87-9a1c-b1325592db99" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseInitialTerm"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseInitialTerm_154d01c8-e779-4a87-9a1c-b1325592db99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtendTerm_a0cc6c47-bef6-4d6c-8f0c-a723deb8c050" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtendTerm"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseOptionToExtendTerm_a0cc6c47-bef6-4d6c-8f0c-a723deb8c050" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_9d29f33c-bf7c-44dd-b313-6297a658d8f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTerm1_9d29f33c-bf7c-44dd-b313-6297a658d8f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_33b39626-cbdd-452f-8aca-ba31eb8a6177" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseWeightedAverageDiscountRatePercent_33b39626-cbdd-452f-8aca-ba31eb8a6177" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_cafb1eb4-73d1-4390-b254-fdc163425fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeasePayments_cafb1eb4-73d1-4390-b254-fdc163425fc4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_db8ecc38-37f7-48b5-8997-fdf179fc1343" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RightOfUseAssetObtainedInExchangeForOperatingLeaseLiability_db8ecc38-37f7-48b5-8997-fdf179fc1343" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedLiabilityIncurred_830d4431-d89c-45ac-bd54-279676a92fa5" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedLiabilityIncurred"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_cri_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedLiabilityIncurred_830d4431-d89c-45ac-bd54-279676a92fa5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_2f685d4d-6300-48bf-aa7b-3f681873e352" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseLeaseNotYetCommencedTermOfContract1_2f685d4d-6300-48bf-aa7b-3f681873e352" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d521eeef-13fc-43ea-bbcd-eb862c01277e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_87bf759c-c45c-4de2-829d-6f128a167b4c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d521eeef-13fc-43ea-bbcd-eb862c01277e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d521eeef-13fc-43ea-bbcd-eb862c01277e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_4ccee31e-857c-4805-9b3d-6502febba5c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_9167f8ae-b61d-40c0-9ce3-5adf1e199ebc" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_4ccee31e-857c-4805-9b3d-6502febba5c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_b70a7a6b-6376-4c88-abbf-d5d4df971f28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_4ccee31e-857c-4805-9b3d-6502febba5c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_b70a7a6b-6376-4c88-abbf-d5d4df971f28" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_adca4201-85ca-4df2-8b2e-a54275ac2230" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_4ccee31e-857c-4805-9b3d-6502febba5c8" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_adca4201-85ca-4df2-8b2e-a54275ac2230" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/ACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#ACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/ACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2852d84749354ad390a898a3775f5c49_ACCUMULATEDOTHERCOMPREHENSIVELOSSDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_75bbd5e3-c4a7-4628-a07f-19dc07c0c9b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_142c8962-efc3-4e60-a8ca-b774a35f0eda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_75bbd5e3-c4a7-4628-a07f-19dc07c0c9b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_142c8962-efc3-4e60-a8ca-b774a35f0eda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_c7cdea1d-707b-4a78-b5b0-664fa459b2b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_75bbd5e3-c4a7-4628-a07f-19dc07c0c9b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax_c7cdea1d-707b-4a78-b5b0-664fa459b2b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_13cfd142-f5b1-42a2-bb67-ff29984b574b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_75bbd5e3-c4a7-4628-a07f-19dc07c0c9b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_13cfd142-f5b1-42a2-bb67-ff29984b574b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_13cfd142-f5b1-42a2-bb67-ff29984b574b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_da7b4492-839e-42f0-8b12-6ad8adaaa8e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_7e7548ad-f3ac-42db-8f1a-1cb9374d25ca" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_da7b4492-839e-42f0-8b12-6ad8adaaa8e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_ab4793a4-b5c4-44a7-b227-40e8b02a8ca1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_da7b4492-839e-42f0-8b12-6ad8adaaa8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember_ab4793a4-b5c4-44a7-b227-40e8b02a8ca1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_83d2542c-51b5-48c5-a0c7-17658ea82bc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_da7b4492-839e-42f0-8b12-6ad8adaaa8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember_83d2542c-51b5-48c5-a0c7-17658ea82bc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillbySegmentDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillbySegmentDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1b1970491864496d824d8c8101698465_GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillbySegmentDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_df908728-94e9-4bdc-8f87-211ad404e9dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_4bbb9fa0-0f58-4026-a2e3-13568f70d2ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_df908728-94e9-4bdc-8f87-211ad404e9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_4bbb9fa0-0f58-4026-a2e3-13568f70d2ae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_86432914-837a-4e38-a385-8d078994ac67" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_4bbb9fa0-0f58-4026-a2e3-13568f70d2ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_86432914-837a-4e38-a385-8d078994ac67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_3eb635b7-cbfa-4674-b0f7-fd0cd007b905" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_4bbb9fa0-0f58-4026-a2e3-13568f70d2ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillTranslationAndPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_3eb635b7-cbfa-4674-b0f7-fd0cd007b905" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_22d32c4c-fdf7-4283-a376-eb49fbd0f82b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_4bbb9fa0-0f58-4026-a2e3-13568f70d2ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_22d32c4c-fdf7-4283-a376-eb49fbd0f82b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_258b7c1a-3109-41f9-bc92-62f4f0072122" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_df908728-94e9-4bdc-8f87-211ad404e9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_258b7c1a-3109-41f9-bc92-62f4f0072122" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4b942466-d983-4a4c-a49c-be179ce14b26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_df908728-94e9-4bdc-8f87-211ad404e9dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4b942466-d983-4a4c-a49c-be179ce14b26" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_4b942466-d983-4a4c-a49c-be179ce14b26" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ab2a43f-966b-4878-8668-bf516fdfbcfe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_617aaef2-175f-49ba-9aa2-19491b602a8c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ab2a43f-966b-4878-8668-bf516fdfbcfe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_8545617c-1cde-4d92-ab58-9ea5e260447b" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ab2a43f-966b-4878-8668-bf516fdfbcfe" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_8545617c-1cde-4d92-ab58-9ea5e260447b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_e81e4f8e-1a76-4d09-b4b9-7394ae6a30a0" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ab2a43f-966b-4878-8668-bf516fdfbcfe" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_e81e4f8e-1a76-4d09-b4b9-7394ae6a30a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_1ef7db27-a144-4130-a868-b0bad13fdd74" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_InternationalSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9ab2a43f-966b-4878-8668-bf516fdfbcfe" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_1ef7db27-a144-4130-a868-b0bad13fdd74" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSCarryingValueofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSCarryingValueofIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSCarryingValueofIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i171b4fad21a74091ac932b00f55823c7_GOODWILLANDINTANGIBLEASSETSCarryingValueofIntangibleAssetsDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_a0e7e3f2-c0b7-4a2d-9cd0-20e5db4bbe43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_a0e7e3f2-c0b7-4a2d-9cd0-20e5db4bbe43" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_ea94818f-99ac-41e3-bbee-2db25abc7082" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_ea94818f-99ac-41e3-bbee-2db25abc7082" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_748ae8c4-dee2-4666-a51f-63af5e52f22a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_748ae8c4-dee2-4666-a51f-63af5e52f22a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_65ad2606-f0bb-49b8-afb8-2f0154b94aca" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_cri_IndefiniteAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_65ad2606-f0bb-49b8-afb8-2f0154b94aca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_0880338b-234a-4853-8cbc-8d71d6443742" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_0880338b-234a-4853-8cbc-8d71d6443742" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_cca86964-6914-4323-8aa5-0a943f3b7da4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_cca86964-6914-4323-8aa5-0a943f3b7da4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_ba62d2f4-bce4-4e67-8f1f-285e7c02b856" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTrademarks_ba62d2f4-bce4-4e67-8f1f-285e7c02b856" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_fbf0577d-20ef-4a3c-b0b4-966c6078b62e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_fbf0577d-20ef-4a3c-b0b4-966c6078b62e" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_927c5ff0-106f-4b0b-8c34-904a4ebbfca2" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsLineItems_d6cfed6a-5125-4486-b006-58454fc50019" xlink:to="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_927c5ff0-106f-4b0b-8c34-904a4ebbfca2" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_927c5ff0-106f-4b0b-8c34-904a4ebbfca2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_ff65abac-739c-4761-a27d-d53527c3517f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OtherTradenamesMember_a3ee0661-9a65-4e74-8c04-78d90ddbd2f6" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_OtherTradenamesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:to="loc_cri_OtherTradenamesMember_a3ee0661-9a65-4e74-8c04-78d90ddbd2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_cc942057-2d4d-4895-a97a-3efd811174a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_cc942057-2d4d-4895-a97a-3efd811174a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember_8310368a-4045-40d8-ab45-26ee0bea0660" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopCustomerRelationshipsMember_8310368a-4045-40d8-ab45-26ee0bea0660" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember_6697ace0-cf85-48e4-98e3-0c1a95176f6e" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersMexicoCustomerRelationshipsMember_6697ace0-cf85-48e4-98e3-0c1a95176f6e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1dd1da68-36ce-4280-ada0-3c26fcdb7aba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_02c38818-7d4f-4958-861b-f96f63db70f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1dd1da68-36ce-4280-ada0-3c26fcdb7aba" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_927c5ff0-106f-4b0b-8c34-904a4ebbfca2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_85b5cdb5-f321-40bf-b912-086634343710" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_7491c045-8262-4362-beeb-c477cc7f410d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_85b5cdb5-f321-40bf-b912-086634343710" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_CartersTradeNameMember_d7ec119e-6601-4d32-a3a9-7287c607778d" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_CartersTradeNameMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_85b5cdb5-f321-40bf-b912-086634343710" xlink:to="loc_cri_CartersTradeNameMember_d7ec119e-6601-4d32-a3a9-7287c607778d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember_d2667b28-85f5-4164-8992-bc868c3e0d5e" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_85b5cdb5-f321-40bf-b912-086634343710" xlink:to="loc_cri_OshkoshTradeNameMember_d2667b28-85f5-4164-8992-bc868c3e0d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_b0ef2b6c-b975-42a4-ae20-24b1edf70bf2" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_85b5cdb5-f321-40bf-b912-086634343710" xlink:to="loc_cri_SkipHopTradeNameMember_b0ef2b6c-b975-42a4-ae20-24b1edf70bf2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_cri_GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssetsTable_927c5ff0-106f-4b0b-8c34-904a4ebbfca2" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_b020dc97-598b-460d-821d-b6677a2500a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_3c797878-e0aa-4373-a7de-2327c3039481" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_b020dc97-598b-460d-821d-b6677a2500a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_266dd672-433b-4b56-9261-9f01773a4046" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_b020dc97-598b-460d-821d-b6677a2500a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_266dd672-433b-4b56-9261-9f01773a4046" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e6a8cdd9-47e2-448b-b782-4411f503006a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_b020dc97-598b-460d-821d-b6677a2500a5" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_e6a8cdd9-47e2-448b-b782-4411f503006a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#LONGTERMDEBTDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/LONGTERMDEBTDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i07d406f551ef44e4b03e92e8c8bf5ccd_LONGTERMDEBTDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_81fe2088-c3d8-48ac-a361-17ffad761ae7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_81fe2088-c3d8-48ac-a361-17ffad761ae7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_fe201516-83b1-4539-8673-16c6b26bc035" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_fe201516-83b1-4539-8673-16c6b26bc035" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_2377290e-101b-465e-bda7-7c5561167096" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_2377290e-101b-465e-bda7-7c5561167096" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e9abcf32-4dcc-4be2-884c-64924b873db2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e9abcf32-4dcc-4be2-884c-64924b873db2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_0102e751-314b-4ec2-82fa-d4b756ae7d37" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_0102e751-314b-4ec2-82fa-d4b756ae7d37" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_8f74b69e-07b9-4cea-a87d-1f14d164a0d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_8f74b69e-07b9-4cea-a87d-1f14d164a0d6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_4b11ade4-70b8-4359-9ffe-57b533dadc4f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt_4b11ade4-70b8-4359-9ffe-57b533dadc4f" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtPremium_418e70e0-283a-4b99-b057-2d56a105e78c" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtPremium"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_cri_GainLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtPremium_418e70e0-283a-4b99-b057-2d56a105e78c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_06429aef-ccf8-489c-a88b-dd58f1e71dab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_06429aef-ccf8-489c-a88b-dd58f1e71dab" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_180d7896-e442-4153-945b-7e8ce52b00f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_180d7896-e442-4153-945b-7e8ce52b00f4" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6c1e991d-7755-4a8b-938b-cdbd6a5a5b79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_6c1e991d-7755-4a8b-938b-cdbd6a5a5b79" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SpringingMaturityDateProvisionAmount_2ea62289-cb95-4c28-a340-d421699ca49e" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_SpringingMaturityDateProvisionAmount"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_cri_SpringingMaturityDateProvisionAmount_2ea62289-cb95-4c28-a340-d421699ca49e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_05757617-d853-4e1c-8728-8802bb21d213" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_05757617-d853-4e1c-8728-8802bb21d213" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_6a8e50b0-5a2a-4059-a647-ed043140d05d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeePercentage_6a8e50b0-5a2a-4059-a647-ed043140d05d" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_86931336-ddf1-44ab-b707-0e15847b7873" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityInterestRateAtPeriodEnd_86931336-ddf1-44ab-b707-0e15847b7873" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_63a9f9b7-f475-4f2f-b29a-8541bea72f5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_63a9f9b7-f475-4f2f-b29a-8541bea72f5d" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_d5b5d9f2-dea1-478f-9a95-adba66d850bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_d5b5d9f2-dea1-478f-9a95-adba66d850bd" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_557432bf-164c-47df-8eef-5a18a220ca5d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_557432bf-164c-47df-8eef-5a18a220ca5d" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_971c9c41-69e4-4055-a6fc-fe716ac2a8e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1b8204d8-b8df-471b-b146-80d5e7f81467" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_b467d7c8-6ac1-4936-b8d4-543f72419952" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1b8204d8-b8df-471b-b146-80d5e7f81467" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_A5500SeniorNotesDue2025Member_3e27af76-0fa4-40e5-b717-8c13db28dfae" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_A5500SeniorNotesDue2025Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1b8204d8-b8df-471b-b146-80d5e7f81467" xlink:to="loc_cri_A5500SeniorNotesDue2025Member_3e27af76-0fa4-40e5-b717-8c13db28dfae" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_bd6b2d14-2268-4dd6-8cb1-48f8128f50a3" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1b8204d8-b8df-471b-b146-80d5e7f81467" xlink:to="loc_cri_A5625SeniorNotesDue2027Member_bd6b2d14-2268-4dd6-8cb1-48f8128f50a3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ebece45d-d0e9-4e59-94df-5de2abdcb6c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1b8204d8-b8df-471b-b146-80d5e7f81467" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ebece45d-d0e9-4e59-94df-5de2abdcb6c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f646dbb0-b7fe-4aa8-916d-0f4c71b4d2e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_87c85810-716f-4d19-99ef-68bfb9df42ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f646dbb0-b7fe-4aa8-916d-0f4c71b4d2e8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_6798287f-0e30-47ab-84d1-cd1c9284489b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f646dbb0-b7fe-4aa8-916d-0f4c71b4d2e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_6798287f-0e30-47ab-84d1-cd1c9284489b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_5f703be4-48da-4f23-a8ab-eb04e6b28b75" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f646dbb0-b7fe-4aa8-916d-0f4c71b4d2e8" xlink:to="loc_cri_TotalSeniorNotesMember_5f703be4-48da-4f23-a8ab-eb04e6b28b75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ed4dfba4-4834-4744-a2b0-afbda0eabfe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f646dbb0-b7fe-4aa8-916d-0f4c71b4d2e8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_ed4dfba4-4834-4744-a2b0-afbda0eabfe4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_d3665ef7-a19e-44a7-b7fe-6fd1baccd16a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_AmendmentNo4Member_b1617d39-44e4-471c-af26-5dcb00a56b70" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_AmendmentNo4Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:to="loc_cri_AmendmentNo4Member_b1617d39-44e4-471c-af26-5dcb00a56b70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_AmendmentNo3Member_abd8cbee-6e3c-4a38-9b9a-d2e8227dc218" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_AmendmentNo3Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:to="loc_cri_AmendmentNo3Member_abd8cbee-6e3c-4a38-9b9a-d2e8227dc218" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member_9c602c76-1bf6-43ba-974f-356236df50ce" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:to="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo4Member_9c602c76-1bf6-43ba-974f-356236df50ce" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo3Member_e7ed7d73-a3d9-458f-93d4-3e4519dfc0eb" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo3Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:to="loc_cri_UnitedStatesDollarCreditFacilityAmendmentNo3Member_e7ed7d73-a3d9-458f-93d4-3e4519dfc0eb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_33346016-d993-4b46-8940-45acce6628e6" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_472acd35-f976-495b-9804-30004d05fad1" xlink:to="loc_cri_MulticurrencyRevolvingCreditFacilityMember_33346016-d993-4b46-8940-45acce6628e6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4b9d80f7-0847-492d-bb0d-41ea61b6defc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5654f0d4-ec56-4619-b14d-ce2849e75f7a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4b9d80f7-0847-492d-bb0d-41ea61b6defc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_94b7954e-f681-4f67-9cbc-f650282c44c5" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4b9d80f7-0847-492d-bb0d-41ea61b6defc" xlink:to="loc_cri_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_94b7954e-f681-4f67-9cbc-f650282c44c5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_268a0815-1c85-40ab-ae0b-30d3a7601441" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4b9d80f7-0847-492d-bb0d-41ea61b6defc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_268a0815-1c85-40ab-ae0b-30d3a7601441" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fde8b0f7-966d-4b6c-a225-e1b3c1eecaf3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_6244180c-0ef4-4284-a6e2-c2683eb3d94f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_a56bb923-6458-4748-aa0c-d8361b66de3e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_6244180c-0ef4-4284-a6e2-c2683eb3d94f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_41d02440-42ee-4a2f-abb5-d39ff61f6881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6244180c-0ef4-4284-a6e2-c2683eb3d94f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_41d02440-42ee-4a2f-abb5-d39ff61f6881" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a7b60b71-9642-44c1-9953-e1e96685013a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_6244180c-0ef4-4284-a6e2-c2683eb3d94f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_a7b60b71-9642-44c1-9953-e1e96685013a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifff799c1d3d94b55afdf21dcaed3c64d_STOCKBASEDCOMPENSATIONDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a95aaa62-0e6b-4ed5-a5d0-eb42c2361ba5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_29d9d7e0-77de-4668-9c20-9067e078ae34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a95aaa62-0e6b-4ed5-a5d0-eb42c2361ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_29d9d7e0-77de-4668-9c20-9067e078ae34" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8188d792-2ebe-441f-98a2-18749258f5b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a95aaa62-0e6b-4ed5-a5d0-eb42c2361ba5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8188d792-2ebe-441f-98a2-18749258f5b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_8188d792-2ebe-441f-98a2-18749258f5b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_c98080e4-e2c9-4582-a7e5-444624d330fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_a36fee8c-fd48-4531-a6da-5a4bc1c6b72a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_a36fee8c-fd48-4531-a6da-5a4bc1c6b72a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_TimeBasedRestrictedStockMember_f660e3ea-81eb-4a9e-9661-54171d2f025d" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_TimeBasedRestrictedStockMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:to="loc_cri_TimeBasedRestrictedStockMember_f660e3ea-81eb-4a9e-9661-54171d2f025d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_cb83a563-6ac8-485f-a8ab-51e6186db842" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_cb83a563-6ac8-485f-a8ab-51e6186db842" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_StockAwardsMember_b21d1bc1-e742-4c54-bdfc-a16c4658365c" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_StockAwardsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_47515328-175d-4864-b2fe-44c191a93cfb" xlink:to="loc_cri_StockAwardsMember_b21d1bc1-e742-4c54-bdfc-a16c4658365c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i99167d820001494a9076771f3b37a86c_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSInvestmentsDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_8757771f-6762-459b-9f53-5fa1a87bf429" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_bbfb1906-d36b-4a00-8acb-7fdf86fffc3f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_8757771f-6762-459b-9f53-5fa1a87bf429" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure_bbfb1906-d36b-4a00-8acb-7fdf86fffc3f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_4e5e4acf-281f-46e0-af0f-d4b1e0062a4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_8757771f-6762-459b-9f53-5fa1a87bf429" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_4e5e4acf-281f-46e0-af0f-d4b1e0062a4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_a52c02e9-bb4f-4395-a9c7-46bf95880910" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesLineItems_8757771f-6762-459b-9f53-5fa1a87bf429" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_a52c02e9-bb4f-4395-a9c7-46bf95880910" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisValuationTechniquesTable_a52c02e9-bb4f-4395-a9c7-46bf95880910" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_855c0fa0-c09a-44a0-a0c0-a08bf1bc4fc0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_f4361f4b-b5e1-4eb9-97c5-2f7b51498464" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_855c0fa0-c09a-44a0-a0c0-a08bf1bc4fc0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_88651d30-c098-4658-b129-f43769f02f63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_855c0fa0-c09a-44a0-a0c0-a08bf1bc4fc0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_88651d30-c098-4658-b129-f43769f02f63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ieff6d71017d04f6fa8b5f38ebac8306e_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSBorrowingsDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a9a8eb87-8cde-4f68-8fa4-5b3f4930b643" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_56d979ef-cf08-4b41-80c2-8f3b1065c4c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a9a8eb87-8cde-4f68-8fa4-5b3f4930b643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_56d979ef-cf08-4b41-80c2-8f3b1065c4c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_1fd757ab-e149-49b2-89b9-db8a23a40f44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a9a8eb87-8cde-4f68-8fa4-5b3f4930b643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_1fd757ab-e149-49b2-89b9-db8a23a40f44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_331ffe3c-2089-481e-bdf4-44d49580f275" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a9a8eb87-8cde-4f68-8fa4-5b3f4930b643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_331ffe3c-2089-481e-bdf4-44d49580f275" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_efd91efb-502f-4217-b194-120dbe88d598" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a9a8eb87-8cde-4f68-8fa4-5b3f4930b643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_efd91efb-502f-4217-b194-120dbe88d598" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_efd91efb-502f-4217-b194-120dbe88d598" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_f610209e-2337-4717-b178-35960c419455" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_90f5f4e4-88ac-4061-adff-cfb834c4812b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_f610209e-2337-4717-b178-35960c419455" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e7aedbd8-27d1-438a-b460-56728bf9c018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_f610209e-2337-4717-b178-35960c419455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_e7aedbd8-27d1-438a-b460-56728bf9c018" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_a5acd111-b820-4b7b-8970-468dfc3cd11c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_f610209e-2337-4717-b178-35960c419455" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_a5acd111-b820-4b7b-8970-468dfc3cd11c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_efd91efb-502f-4217-b194-120dbe88d598" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9b333027-6f09-491d-a128-7fabf92d1316" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1cc141cc-5296-4b7d-b4d2-35bbdab6d908" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9b333027-6f09-491d-a128-7fabf92d1316" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a17c10f4-7c8b-4de8-a030-c281b1eece6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9b333027-6f09-491d-a128-7fabf92d1316" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_a17c10f4-7c8b-4de8-a030-c281b1eece6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_efd91efb-502f-4217-b194-120dbe88d598" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_de41f52b-7955-4f49-a84c-16538721b669" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_99767116-4681-4ec6-86fe-f4977b3b6e0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_de41f52b-7955-4f49-a84c-16538721b669" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c51cfaf8-c3f7-4ea9-b665-39fc7b5ded10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_de41f52b-7955-4f49-a84c-16538721b669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c51cfaf8-c3f7-4ea9-b665-39fc7b5ded10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_25736eb5-7b7b-43b4-b6b7-68f4529ce7f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_de41f52b-7955-4f49-a84c-16538721b669" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember_25736eb5-7b7b-43b4-b6b7-68f4529ce7f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ice92ad8833524a05b188f4e1fd02cda0_SEGMENTINFORMATIONDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2ac85eb6-a919-4fbb-85c7-a058cf97b7ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2ac85eb6-a919-4fbb-85c7-a058cf97b7ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_65cb7d7f-aeae-40e3-9f66-599fdb8307dd" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_cri_PercentageOfTotalNetSales_65cb7d7f-aeae-40e3-9f66-599fdb8307dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_4f6feea4-8e40-469a-85b4-30290ab42e39" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_4f6feea4-8e40-469a-85b4-30290ab42e39" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2dfac110-e58c-4fb5-9d60-66fdecd7c881" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_CorporateExpenses"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_cri_CorporateExpenses_2dfac110-e58c-4fb5-9d60-66fdecd7c881" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_6e42b161-e953-4e6b-9e07-fc1fcae30482" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_cri_OperatingIncomeAsPercentageOfSegmentNetSales_6e42b161-e953-4e6b-9e07-fc1fcae30482" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_b3be78d0-8432-45fe-9efb-1b9ee533de61" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_cd2d190d-ba45-4545-9575-8f28f2b7daae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_b3be78d0-8432-45fe-9efb-1b9ee533de61" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_b3be78d0-8432-45fe-9efb-1b9ee533de61" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_987614a7-335d-4588-9144-97cb803b70a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_b738ffbf-cca7-42fb-933c-74e4bde1764d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_987614a7-335d-4588-9144-97cb803b70a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_dcab6d89-c6cd-452d-b944-7ef9416c4720" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_987614a7-335d-4588-9144-97cb803b70a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_dcab6d89-c6cd-452d-b944-7ef9416c4720" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_aac13beb-07a4-47d5-a6e0-46e462c42353" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_987614a7-335d-4588-9144-97cb803b70a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_aac13beb-07a4-47d5-a6e0-46e462c42353" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_b3be78d0-8432-45fe-9efb-1b9ee533de61" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6cf1444-91bd-4a44-80c6-93fbe1a0a738" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_543374b1-f792-4981-a3ea-8eef55d3c898" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6cf1444-91bd-4a44-80c6-93fbe1a0a738" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_04c85970-af17-4f5f-b0e2-9f4bfee50e67" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6cf1444-91bd-4a44-80c6-93fbe1a0a738" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_04c85970-af17-4f5f-b0e2-9f4bfee50e67" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_70991e94-4653-4ee4-ad31-816bf03778ee" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_WholesaleMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6cf1444-91bd-4a44-80c6-93fbe1a0a738" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleMember_70991e94-4653-4ee4-ad31-816bf03778ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalMember_c40737b4-e3c5-46b4-8fc5-dcbdb62e7038" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_InternationalMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_b6cf1444-91bd-4a44-80c6-93fbe1a0a738" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalMember_c40737b4-e3c5-46b4-8fc5-dcbdb62e7038" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
</link:definitionLink>
<link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONSEGMENTCHARGESDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#SEGMENTINFORMATIONSEGMENTCHARGESDetails"/>
<link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.carters.com/role/SEGMENTINFORMATIONSEGMENTCHARGESDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9e0ceb7837df49a5a7051969dead96ad_SEGMENTINFORMATIONSEGMENTCHARGESDetails">
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_e3db92f8-833c-4d05-9ec8-599e8ff05150" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_e3db92f8-833c-4d05-9ec8-599e8ff05150" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_5ac90648-44ea-4a8a-b709-8734f063bb94" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_5ac90648-44ea-4a8a-b709-8734f063bb94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_GainOnModificationOfRetailStoreLeasesAndOtherLongLivedAssets_ba6e11c2-eb4c-4304-87fa-30f99cfd1679" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_GainOnModificationOfRetailStoreLeasesAndOtherLongLivedAssets"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_cri_GainOnModificationOfRetailStoreLeasesAndOtherLongLivedAssets_ba6e11c2-eb4c-4304-87fa-30f99cfd1679" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_baa1934f-4a2f-4882-ae61-eca563b26139" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpenses_baa1934f-4a2f-4882-ae61-eca563b26139" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1_a971fc26-3474-460f-9ee3-523d07fcb820" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessExitCosts1_a971fc26-3474-460f-9ee3-523d07fcb820" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_8ece5d4b-fa8c-48e6-a1ee-874b371fec3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_8ece5d4b-fa8c-48e6-a1ee-874b371fec3d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7d46118b-68ba-4494-a9bd-69b31448a6f1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_9a7508cd-0cea-4aa9-8f68-0770371fe102" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7d46118b-68ba-4494-a9bd-69b31448a6f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7d46118b-68ba-4494-a9bd-69b31448a6f1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_73257d03-daea-4681-b406-df3ee2565237" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_002a3dc2-50ab-475d-a070-3f969cd49d77" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_73257d03-daea-4681-b406-df3ee2565237" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_4f1c562f-74ba-4fa7-9f1b-db004d5a9dd2" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_RetailSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_73257d03-daea-4681-b406-df3ee2565237" xlink:to="loc_cri_RetailSegmentMember_4f1c562f-74ba-4fa7-9f1b-db004d5a9dd2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_cd8eb694-8a49-447b-8868-1ec9bd428f8b" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_WholesaleSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_73257d03-daea-4681-b406-df3ee2565237" xlink:to="loc_cri_WholesaleSegmentMember_cd8eb694-8a49-447b-8868-1ec9bd428f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_ad3dc862-ae46-4393-904a-c9f7f4265320" xlink:href="cri-20220702.xsd#cri_InternationalSegmentMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_73257d03-daea-4681-b406-df3ee2565237" xlink:to="loc_cri_InternationalSegmentMember_ad3dc862-ae46-4393-904a-c9f7f4265320" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_7d46118b-68ba-4494-a9bd-69b31448a6f1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3bae0c6e-4b1c-4d1a-a00d-f7f0af3eafa9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_2403e947-0107-496b-86e7-d8c1ca662594" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3bae0c6e-4b1c-4d1a-a00d-f7f0af3eafa9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e2767fef-664a-4b2d-9d7a-8d3b596a0ac0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
<link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_3bae0c6e-4b1c-4d1a-a00d-f7f0af3eafa9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_e2767fef-664a-4b2d-9d7a-8d3b596a0ac0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
</link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>


2 Previous Filings that this Filing References

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

 4/14/22  Carter’s, Inc.                    8-K:1,2,9   4/11/22   11:2.1M                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
 5/23/17  Carter’s, Inc.                    8-K:5,9     5/17/17    3:189K                                   Donnelley … Solutions/FA
Top
Filing Submission 0001060822-22-000166   –   Alternative Formats (Word / Rich Text, HTML, Plain Text, et al.)

Copyright © 2024 Fran Finnegan & Company LLC – All Rights Reserved.
AboutPrivacyRedactionsHelp — Mon., Apr. 29, 6:29:45.1pm ET