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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:5877153c-8b86-4dd0-9167-3537cae3c35e,g:f542be73-4f4e-42ab-ac41-b16f4ea173f2-->
<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.matadorresources.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="i925268b534034ccaa576cd01f09d665e_CoverPage"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i488c28707f444de9b33f2cca507f7ce2_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticalUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticalUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticalUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i006c009fb20b43e79c24e15da05c1feb_CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticalUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i5afa84289c634f298a823249d350e985_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_34e50f6f-d450-47a8-a71b-eb8749d6a9b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_34e50f6f-d450-47a8-a71b-eb8749d6a9b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_8f8da72c-12c8-49b1-b157-3a5a529dab54" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_8f8da72c-12c8-49b1-b157-3a5a529dab54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_9b931dd8-941b-47f3-b92e-f25fb07cd439" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_9b931dd8-941b-47f3-b92e-f25fb07cd439" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_07880d95-5787-44c0-88d3-bd5fe4bc32f9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_07880d95-5787-44c0-88d3-bd5fe4bc32f9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_6014ee40-7e2c-4022-a6a6-94b6feb04a3e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenuesAbstract_44e6ef71-284f-42df-8f3f-60ac4648c356" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_6014ee40-7e2c-4022-a6a6-94b6feb04a3e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ProductionTaxesAndMarketing_02bb6e00-cee7-4aa7-a903-3386715ae617" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ProductionTaxesAndMarketing"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ProductionTaxesAndMarketing_02bb6e00-cee7-4aa7-a903-3386715ae617" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_344b03c3-24db-434a-b4d6-1a1254c4e49a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLeaseExpense_344b03c3-24db-434a-b4d6-1a1254c4e49a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_66cc5396-7a47-4fe9-b912-d0362e31c428" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold_66cc5396-7a47-4fe9-b912-d0362e31c428" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OilAndGasPurchasesOfNaturalGas_eccc81ef-7dfd-4735-b820-f06fc09f0f00" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OilAndGasPurchasesOfNaturalGas"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OilAndGasPurchasesOfNaturalGas_eccc81ef-7dfd-4735-b820-f06fc09f0f00" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_f5b24324-9a24-4a20-88c2-855d124f77f1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_f5b24324-9a24-4a20-88c2-855d124f77f1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense_77614fa2-25a8-4ff6-a3db-64ee2ae77d15" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense_77614fa2-25a8-4ff6-a3db-64ee2ae77d15" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_c4636e97-994c-412b-88f6-1994c98ff6a5" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_c4636e97-994c-412b-88f6-1994c98ff6a5" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_d985d77f-7e04-43dd-b026-174ddab3c0c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_d985d77f-7e04-43dd-b026-174ddab3c0c5" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_b583a849-3357-46dd-abd7-fe63aa3c8b29" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OperatingExpensesAbstract_9301ee49-bdeb-4978-aa0e-0c23c08c0315" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_b583a849-3357-46dd-abd7-fe63aa3c8b29" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2e0212e4-38ec-4400-bd0c-d38122e5e000" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_2e0212e4-38ec-4400-bd0c-d38122e5e000" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_0cd0d4c7-b614-4a4a-810a-5ce3d68030ad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_0cd0d4c7-b614-4a4a-810a-5ce3d68030ad" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_7d66ed3c-0df8-48c4-90dc-e68fc16062c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_7d66ed3c-0df8-48c4-90dc-e68fc16062c7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_007f9a22-aac1-40f7-9290-92e9e928bf64" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_7d66ed3c-0df8-48c4-90dc-e68fc16062c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_007f9a22-aac1-40f7-9290-92e9e928bf64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_da533b66-32f2-4211-a804-9c884b080f76" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_7d66ed3c-0df8-48c4-90dc-e68fc16062c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense_da533b66-32f2-4211-a804-9c884b080f76" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_da281846-4cab-40f1-a761-bb43ac44ff07" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract_7d66ed3c-0df8-48c4-90dc-e68fc16062c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense_da281846-4cab-40f1-a761-bb43ac44ff07" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_d5d76802-5ff0-4728-8e01-4f948dbf251a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_d5d76802-5ff0-4728-8e01-4f948dbf251a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstract_6092368a-739e-43e7-9b8e-0aaabf4592f7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstract_6092368a-739e-43e7-9b8e-0aaabf4592f7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_5fce4d2f-dc28-4ebe-9896-9165e7628675" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstract_6092368a-739e-43e7-9b8e-0aaabf4592f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_5fce4d2f-dc28-4ebe-9896-9165e7628675" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_1864307c-d903-47ef-b19e-0f075d0d8d98" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefitContinuingOperationsAbstract_6092368a-739e-43e7-9b8e-0aaabf4592f7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_1864307c-d903-47ef-b19e-0f075d0d8d98" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_d568318f-ab38-4f86-9ef5-17be5e66cc1d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_d568318f-ab38-4f86-9ef5-17be5e66cc1d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_61772b48-b5de-4127-a837-80652d413ec4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_61772b48-b5de-4127-a837-80652d413ec4" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_b940d317-b226-4423-a0a7-ef9dbd560114" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_b940d317-b226-4423-a0a7-ef9dbd560114" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_81b7b583-3e14-4d77-bea0-c2af07efc965" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_81b7b583-3e14-4d77-bea0-c2af07efc965" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_c450e2f6-8c7f-45d6-acb8-f0afc7553f95" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_81b7b583-3e14-4d77-bea0-c2af07efc965" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic_c450e2f6-8c7f-45d6-acb8-f0afc7553f95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_c19327c6-d5eb-43c4-b4e7-e3504e4a454f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract_81b7b583-3e14-4d77-bea0-c2af07efc965" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted_c19327c6-d5eb-43c4-b4e7-e3504e4a454f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedOtherDisclosuresAbstract_84e62066-46bd-4023-835b-b9742670e115" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedOtherDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedOtherDisclosuresAbstract_84e62066-46bd-4023-835b-b9742670e115" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_d3810b2b-cc58-487d-8720-cfaaed4a7161" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedOtherDisclosuresAbstract_84e62066-46bd-4023-835b-b9742670e115" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic_d3810b2b-cc58-487d-8720-cfaaed4a7161" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_3066048d-515c-4399-94fe-e24526351ae1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedOtherDisclosuresAbstract_84e62066-46bd-4023-835b-b9742670e115" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding_3066048d-515c-4399-94fe-e24526351ae1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ff5ca771-7826-4939-9455-28e0682c9c68" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_184938fd-5add-4641-859a-e8faf80b9db2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ff5ca771-7826-4939-9455-28e0682c9c68" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_ff5ca771-7826-4939-9455-28e0682c9c68" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_659f3a26-379c-47a0-9892-ca7fe33c6536" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_c9f87545-61b8-41a3-92cf-4d2ab9a68815" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_659f3a26-379c-47a0-9892-ca7fe33c6536" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasMember_50361ced-78f6-4e48-8767-f40177e46a2f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_659f3a26-379c-47a0-9892-ca7fe33c6536" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasMember_50361ced-78f6-4e48-8767-f40177e46a2f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_1d6889a1-47b6-43db-8e25-032bda9b1d0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_659f3a26-379c-47a0-9892-ca7fe33c6536" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_1d6889a1-47b6-43db-8e25-032bda9b1d0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_3aa7fd12-e48b-4928-a2a6-772532d1d07a" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_659f3a26-379c-47a0-9892-ca7fe33c6536" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_3aa7fd12-e48b-4928-a2a6-772532d1d07a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i53d2838d7cc944c287c68beac6b04aed_CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnaudited">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1667a908-7aa2-4e82-9164-bb316bbe3971" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1667a908-7aa2-4e82-9164-bb316bbe3971" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_58f24b2f-ca86-49fb-8ba2-8f019afd9eb2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_58f24b2f-ca86-49fb-8ba2-8f019afd9eb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_4ad196b3-6e48-41b3-9007-81edd5118778" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_4ad196b3-6e48-41b3-9007-81edd5118778" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_406f4892-e6ac-4da9-b935-853954ecc759" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_406f4892-e6ac-4da9-b935-853954ecc759" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_62c557a7-70d9-45e1-8753-0d421f381a22" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_62c557a7-70d9-45e1-8753-0d421f381a22" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices_b47189f4-0725-4829-8c47-090a2b1f6487" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesIssuedForServices_b47189f4-0725-4829-8c47-090a2b1f6487" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices_24edb361-890b-4c9e-abb8-c8c1a0377f4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueIssuedForServices_24edb361-890b-4c9e-abb8-c8c1a0377f4d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_7c216503-53ed-4264-b0e7-a237a9869ca8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsRequisiteServicePeriodRecognition_7c216503-53ed-4264-b0e7-a237a9869ca8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_43ea818c-3447-4c5a-8620-ad13a3423702" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_43ea818c-3447-4c5a-8620-ad13a3423702" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationAndExerciseOfStockOptions_8f350adf-7e63-4763-ad20-ef8c5f69b38f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationAndExerciseOfStockOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationAndExerciseOfStockOptions_8f350adf-7e63-4763-ad20-ef8c5f69b38f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettledShares_50763b6f-1020-4a01-b170-d6bb9138e498" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettledShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettledShares_50763b6f-1020-4a01-b170-d6bb9138e498" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettled_e0ef7412-6776-4fdf-97a5-8bde33a7bbb0" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettled"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LiabilityBasedStockOptionAwardsSettled_e0ef7412-6776-4fdf-97a5-8bde33a7bbb0" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_81d401de-6c0a-42fe-85d2-91940fd7a51c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardForfeited_81d401de-6c0a-42fe-85d2-91940fd7a51c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_de5b9a4f-cd03-42dc-812e-103e71b01a6f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardForfeitures_de5b9a4f-cd03-42dc-812e-103e71b01a6f" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalFormationofJointVenture_0045f933-7ffe-47b9-b494-1c556ee2e798" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalFormationofJointVenture"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalFormationofJointVenture_0045f933-7ffe-47b9-b494-1c556ee2e798" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_2b8da854-90ba-4866-b3c9-d9b3eafea4b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestIncreaseFromSubsidiaryEquityIssuance_2b8da854-90ba-4866-b3c9-d9b3eafea4b6" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_3985ed1f-ff7a-406c-adf2-68b6b813ec7b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterestDecreaseFromDistributionsToNoncontrollingInterestHolders_3985ed1f-ff7a-406c-adf2-68b6b813ec7b" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_a3de9697-fbbe-4f27-9651-e345846110e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProfitLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_71eda2c9-a0a6-47f8-a42d-042ddf08b036" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_a3de9697-fbbe-4f27-9651-e345846110e1" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_9cca07e7-c6fe-4b51-9214-22829fed29e5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_774d5944-44e4-493d-a62f-ec28456c700d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityIncludingPortionAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_21635527-bd91-4e7d-9ded-3ffa148fab89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1667a908-7aa2-4e82-9164-bb316bbe3971" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_21635527-bd91-4e7d-9ded-3ffa148fab89" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_21635527-bd91-4e7d-9ded-3ffa148fab89" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_bb8b9dae-c2cc-4619-9736-9dd07b53cd67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_38de5a18-50ce-4d4d-a391-6009def685c5" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_bb8b9dae-c2cc-4619-9736-9dd07b53cd67" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoIMember_4b673083-3e90-4b48-bdb7-e49d8d15b172" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_bb8b9dae-c2cc-4619-9736-9dd07b53cd67" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoIMember_4b673083-3e90-4b48-bdb7-e49d8d15b172" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoIIMember_ca15da3b-8dc4-4a04-91c7-0c17f8b8c6ae" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoIIMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_bb8b9dae-c2cc-4619-9736-9dd07b53cd67" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoIIMember_ca15da3b-8dc4-4a04-91c7-0c17f8b8c6ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_21635527-bd91-4e7d-9ded-3ffa148fab89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_9c137878-b945-495b-a37a-a2b7d819f4a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6bde8f29-fa98-46fa-890b-619ba7dd26d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_6bde8f29-fa98-46fa-890b-619ba7dd26d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_80b72ee3-beed-40e3-95ea-392361d79dc9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_80b72ee3-beed-40e3-95ea-392361d79dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_e81d14b7-8956-4717-aab9-160aa15e2914" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_e81d14b7-8956-4717-aab9-160aa15e2914" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_4c832f40-8ccf-4daf-90d6-d2247a35daba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_4c832f40-8ccf-4daf-90d6-d2247a35daba" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_3fbcc97b-30f7-4c38-b6ce-3bae76444684" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ParentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ParentMember_3fbcc97b-30f7-4c38-b6ce-3bae76444684" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_1aa27ccf-fcb9-48f7-93af-569cfee675b9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_a5f704fc-ee47-4cc4-afd0-13e4079273f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncontrollingInterestMember_1aa27ccf-fcb9-48f7-93af-569cfee675b9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical" xlink:type="extended" id="ic385de7f4db841fcb42828bc80d5b362_CondensedConsolidatedStatementofChangesinShareholdersEquityUnauditedParenthetical"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited" xlink:type="extended" id="i9c0a919390ec4e33bed2e058e2026ea9_CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowsUnaudited"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/NatureofOperations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#NatureofOperations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/NatureofOperations" xlink:type="extended" id="i058deca25890438c94dc3ed721d007bb_NatureofOperations"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="id097c3c7390d4fe58081efd5d0fd99f2_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="id0fea82903034bc1a30c89cceab42884_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i0646594a1d71440cab4f41d6d9617514_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i9ec7095b891a426a864877171347c285_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesSummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDisaggregatedRevenueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2452a524-4828-4c59-89d9-5ede14d5d720" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2452a524-4828-4c59-89d9-5ede14d5d720" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_c7575334-4ca2-419e-862d-fbed2cda3bc3" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_c7575334-4ca2-419e-862d-fbed2cda3bc3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_6ff456e2-0e71-4797-b4df-b36422716bca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_6ff456e2-0e71-4797-b4df-b36422716bca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_27377116-1285-4235-8871-9ca820e18e0e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_27377116-1285-4235-8871-9ca820e18e0e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_3ef2bf6c-f48b-4753-8b32-d8ddc61b824b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_3ef2bf6c-f48b-4753-8b32-d8ddc61b824b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_0958e6b9-9d19-4a3f-a7be-282680233610" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_920f25e1-61cb-4b7f-8f4c-e61f0fc82ecd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_0958e6b9-9d19-4a3f-a7be-282680233610" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_0958e6b9-9d19-4a3f-a7be-282680233610" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_f94098e3-36c8-4d69-9105-df360e96d188" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OilRevenuesMember_82875812-5914-479d-835b-051a53dde99d" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OilRevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OilRevenuesMember_82875812-5914-479d-835b-051a53dde99d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasRevenuesMember_2c5aa9ef-4f90-432a-8c3d-1d17868deb1e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_NaturalGasRevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasRevenuesMember_2c5aa9ef-4f90-432a-8c3d-1d17868deb1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_6e1ed60c-8cac-42ca-ad27-008868a044e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_6e1ed60c-8cac-42ca-ad27-008868a044e1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_3923c584-7ff3-49e7-abda-2dae1908d27e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_3923c584-7ff3-49e7-abda-2dae1908d27e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OilandNaturalGasRevenuesMember_71f5d922-896f-4d4b-8736-ee1217415ddb" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OilandNaturalGasRevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_748898e2-66a4-45b4-9308-dfdeb4f01f98" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OilandNaturalGasRevenuesMember_71f5d922-896f-4d4b-8736-ee1217415ddb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual" xlink:type="extended" id="ib1f5812a0a184a4c99a7aaa10be4f87d_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsTextual">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_CapitalizedGeneralAndAdministrativeCosts_f3f20573-50e7-4e7c-a205-38739d4f0793" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_CapitalizedGeneralAndAdministrativeCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_CapitalizedGeneralAndAdministrativeCosts_f3f20573-50e7-4e7c-a205-38739d4f0793" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_2bd1f707-6fb9-4487-b061-c95519482072" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized_2bd1f707-6fb9-4487-b061-c95519482072" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DiscountingRatePresentValueOfFutureRevenueFromProvedOilAndGasReserves_6e8b6fae-874a-46e7-bfbd-e271ad6dae70" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DiscountingRatePresentValueOfFutureRevenueFromProvedOilAndGasReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DiscountingRatePresentValueOfFutureRevenueFromProvedOilAndGasReserves_6e8b6fae-874a-46e7-bfbd-e271ad6dae70" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AverageSalesPrices_a85a1333-b66a-4d56-9fc3-f9ed16773a4a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_AverageSalesPrices"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_srt_AverageSalesPrices_a85a1333-b66a-4d56-9fc3-f9ed16773a4a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties_6b63c01d-24b4-4196-b475-ec799a0d4a12" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasProperties_6b63c01d-24b4-4196-b475-ec799a0d4a12" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_0bca7d84-fb1a-4fd0-8b08-118592645d98" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_0bca7d84-fb1a-4fd0-8b08-118592645d98" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasPropertiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_dec9ba4a-9068-4b42-a40c-ac3ab0d0e19b" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasPropertiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasPropertiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_dec9ba4a-9068-4b42-a40c-ac3ab0d0e19b" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_24010fda-aa11-4549-a266-5a17a597c3ac" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_24010fda-aa11-4549-a266-5a17a597c3ac" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_ac2bec2c-0a11-4a54-86f7-19cf39ca56d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems_78303069-4c6d-419b-a978-e46b306e4cf3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_ac2bec2c-0a11-4a54-86f7-19cf39ca56d3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_ac2bec2c-0a11-4a54-86f7-19cf39ca56d3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_fd494cf6-7683-4f1b-ab5f-7bf2c83dc233" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_62fb95d6-61cd-4ec3-b9fe-975ada8b5d18" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_fd494cf6-7683-4f1b-ab5f-7bf2c83dc233" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_c2841614-eba6-4408-b3a9-bfdb146a10d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_fd494cf6-7683-4f1b-ab5f-7bf2c83dc233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_c2841614-eba6-4408-b3a9-bfdb146a10d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_fe20317b-061d-4a63-ac89-86400b6a03e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_fd494cf6-7683-4f1b-ab5f-7bf2c83dc233" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_fe20317b-061d-4a63-ac89-86400b6a03e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia723cfa614d645bf867411396294746a_SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#AssetRetirementObligations"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligations" xlink:type="extended" id="i16e5051dc79340c99661e84a2ec1c7b9_AssetRetirementObligations"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#AssetRetirementObligationsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="id2e740b748c449abaac6158113c134dd_AssetRetirementObligationsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#AssetRetirementObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/AssetRetirementObligationsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i311f313dbd9a46df8afb066aa254f87d_AssetRetirementObligationsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#Debt"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" id="i7075cdfe0d214177b5da2920c11299ae_Debt"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i75683d3c9b1c4a088de6f4c38099789d_DebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_1dede332-2d52-433b-815b-38cb17cc2412" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_1dede332-2d52-433b-815b-38cb17cc2412" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit_ed5fdd60-5154-43fd-b619-aac3d11bfd73" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermLineOfCredit_ed5fdd60-5154-43fd-b619-aac3d11bfd73" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ba8dde77-97ec-4b79-8919-b906dcb90e3a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_ba8dde77-97ec-4b79-8919-b906dcb90e3a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_4cb7a142-8e53-49cf-8ec7-4a322d238280" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_4cb7a142-8e53-49cf-8ec7-4a322d238280" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredLongTermDebt_6326b3b7-5b2f-49a4-b652-7755f7cae724" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredLongTermDebt_6326b3b7-5b2f-49a4-b652-7755f7cae724" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_802d1a12-ed3c-4c04-960a-d5455336600a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_802d1a12-ed3c-4c04-960a-d5455336600a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementLineItems_8e92aae0-d7e3-485e-875a-9c692bc17704" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e565de64-2836-4dff-a338-544c6235225e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_4b07c0c7-1e5d-47ae-b70f-bd06ff187b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e565de64-2836-4dff-a338-544c6235225e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_a468b49c-b703-4c83-ad75-c0a7eaed0549" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e565de64-2836-4dff-a338-544c6235225e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_a468b49c-b703-4c83-ad75-c0a7eaed0549" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a63f0f76-1468-471c-9688-ee7b2a957e36" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_fa1db005-86d8-4d7a-abd8-1cc17ee79bbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a63f0f76-1468-471c-9688-ee7b2a957e36" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_199698e0-2368-4ec8-be52-354650e3df13" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a63f0f76-1468-471c-9688-ee7b2a957e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_199698e0-2368-4ec8-be52-354650e3df13" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_02743599-8336-402a-bfcf-eed0961f197f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a63f0f76-1468-471c-9688-ee7b2a957e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_02743599-8336-402a-bfcf-eed0961f197f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_af5c0b3e-f94d-4820-b3c9-dc22efb89444" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a63f0f76-1468-471c-9688-ee7b2a957e36" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_af5c0b3e-f94d-4820-b3c9-dc22efb89444" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5f333194-9c18-4b65-868c-b68b3bee9a21" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_774f26eb-33a5-407a-850c-ea9eb0d3049b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5f333194-9c18-4b65-868c-b68b3bee9a21" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_51285fdc-1ed3-4f13-ab25-5ee0671aafda" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_5f333194-9c18-4b65-868c-b68b3bee9a21" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_51285fdc-1ed3-4f13-ab25-5ee0671aafda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_RevolvingCreditAgreementTable_532aa539-60a0-4dc7-9e6e-73a868b6b7f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c695c1ac-651b-41a2-b346-88b182c9753f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member_6b171967-5030-4897-a5a7-5f06429f4c6c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member_6b171967-5030-4897-a5a7-5f06429f4c6c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember_47475060-5ebf-4241-8a4f-c64a7992d51a" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember_47475060-5ebf-4241-8a4f-c64a7992d51a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember_77cf890a-d1ca-4121-804b-3870c4e92116" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember_77cf890a-d1ca-4121-804b-3870c4e92116" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SBALoanCARESActMember_3e786f29-62d0-41eb-a77a-d77c3bcb9841" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SBALoanCARESActMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_7d44a2d7-aa0c-47bb-a186-7273828f9844" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SBALoanCARESActMember_3e786f29-62d0-41eb-a77a-d77c3bcb9841" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DebtCreditAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtCreditAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0f8c432e30b54e938c7371519e5ba6f0_DebtCreditAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e914a8fd-9607-41ea-ae72-4a5daed6e12a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_e914a8fd-9607-41ea-ae72-4a5daed6e12a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityIncreaseInBorrowingBase_5c1a0e60-ee7c-44e9-ad27-f225fe0a0f0f" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityIncreaseInBorrowingBase"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacityIncreaseInBorrowingBase_5c1a0e60-ee7c-44e9-ad27-f225fe0a0f0f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_2acc222f-874b-4670-b930-eb703e178499" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_2acc222f-874b-4670-b930-eb703e178499" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumFacilityAmount_906bff1a-5db7-4718-bf76-933759bf3a14" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumFacilityAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumFacilityAmount_906bff1a-5db7-4718-bf76-933759bf3a14" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCashAndCashEquivalentLimit_9835dc73-aaf1-4998-81a7-f6d8c2473a00" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCashAndCashEquivalentLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityCovenantCashAndCashEquivalentLimit_9835dc73-aaf1-4998-81a7-f6d8c2473a00" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordianFeatureIncreaseLimit_3c17b4c4-7eb7-42a5-9e28-d5b23ef62631" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordianFeatureIncreaseLimit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordianFeatureIncreaseLimit_3c17b4c4-7eb7-42a5-9e28-d5b23ef62631" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantDebttoEBITDARatio_ba424ab4-4f44-4afd-a04d-4461fce922fa" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantDebttoEBITDARatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LineofCreditFacilityCovenantDebttoEBITDARatio_ba424ab4-4f44-4afd-a04d-4461fce922fa" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum_0d48562b-8759-4503-a586-a9047c3b68ea" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum_0d48562b-8759-4503-a586-a9047c3b68ea" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidityRestrictionOnCashDistributionTriggerPercentageOfLenderCommitments_efd7d415-fa86-4707-911d-c54f2db531ea" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidityRestrictionOnCashDistributionTriggerPercentageOfLenderCommitments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantLiquidityRestrictionOnCashDistributionTriggerPercentageOfLenderCommitments_efd7d415-fa86-4707-911d-c54f2db531ea" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fe1dcdda-23be-419c-9e20-f655862c136f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_25df32ff-0870-4c00-a736-564adc102616" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fe1dcdda-23be-419c-9e20-f655862c136f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fe1dcdda-23be-419c-9e20-f655862c136f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2ee1b012-c5fa-4934-af7f-b98cc6f024a9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_f471bd0d-4e9c-4468-b72e-141c6b3bf989" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2ee1b012-c5fa-4934-af7f-b98cc6f024a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_e4ff04dc-bd53-4e77-9747-20c187d708df" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2ee1b012-c5fa-4934-af7f-b98cc6f024a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_e4ff04dc-bd53-4e77-9747-20c187d708df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fe1dcdda-23be-419c-9e20-f655862c136f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2ade353c-7481-424d-9dff-a763d4b0d2e2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9318cebd-806c-4794-a871-eccf2a3a7922" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2ade353c-7481-424d-9dff-a763d4b0d2e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c03d8963-96e3-4486-a808-1b2d49630cd2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2ade353c-7481-424d-9dff-a763d4b0d2e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_c03d8963-96e3-4486-a808-1b2d49630cd2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_cd91387f-a295-4cd0-afe8-ee96a9f5c996" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_2ade353c-7481-424d-9dff-a763d4b0d2e2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_cd91387f-a295-4cd0-afe8-ee96a9f5c996" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fe1dcdda-23be-419c-9e20-f655862c136f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6a370e90-33c4-432e-9a33-cc9d1341bbf2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9cd6fc84-cb20-4ece-935c-2b10e5a50b9c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6a370e90-33c4-432e-9a33-cc9d1341bbf2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember_4cd525c1-15c2-43b2-8b70-a93aca1eefa0" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6a370e90-33c4-432e-9a33-cc9d1341bbf2" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ThirdAmendedCreditAgreementMember_4cd525c1-15c2-43b2-8b70-a93aca1eefa0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember_f5cb710a-f6eb-4ad3-8523-dc1a11cbd022" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_6a370e90-33c4-432e-9a33-cc9d1341bbf2" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoCreditFacilityMember_f5cb710a-f6eb-4ad3-8523-dc1a11cbd022" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtSeniorUnsecuredNotesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DebtSeniorUnsecuredNotesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DebtSeniorUnsecuredNotesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i597a4c2e75644ff8a7feab1f8c3161bd_DebtSeniorUnsecuredNotesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_49eb0cc0-9af8-479a-bade-c24c9bef2a0e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_93ee7303-4215-43ea-8fa5-298ca3822d71" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_49eb0cc0-9af8-479a-bade-c24c9bef2a0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_93ee7303-4215-43ea-8fa5-298ca3822d71" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5392eec1-c50d-40d2-b4a7-7de1364b2d06" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_49eb0cc0-9af8-479a-bade-c24c9bef2a0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_5392eec1-c50d-40d2-b4a7-7de1364b2d06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3c73cf42-806c-4fc1-9a72-fe98e60a3e62" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_49eb0cc0-9af8-479a-bade-c24c9bef2a0e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3c73cf42-806c-4fc1-9a72-fe98e60a3e62" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3c73cf42-806c-4fc1-9a72-fe98e60a3e62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_62e11175-474b-4ff0-b42a-bd488b557d06" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_e4ae66a0-d850-4aad-ae24-e8edb6ebc0e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_62e11175-474b-4ff0-b42a-bd488b557d06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_008ee75e-74eb-4da2-b482-55d30b0fcbc4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_62e11175-474b-4ff0-b42a-bd488b557d06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_008ee75e-74eb-4da2-b482-55d30b0fcbc4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_3c73cf42-806c-4fc1-9a72-fe98e60a3e62" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e18925ba-695e-42e8-8de8-6e5f34b5eb9a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_16cc64d0-66dc-46fb-a9fd-9459224aeb71" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e18925ba-695e-42e8-8de8-6e5f34b5eb9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member_cf15e1c3-cc1b-44fa-ad41-2a8b42ea09aa" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e18925ba-695e-42e8-8de8-6e5f34b5eb9a" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2026Member_cf15e1c3-cc1b-44fa-ad41-2a8b42ea09aa" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_A2026NotesOfferingMember_c4f8aa95-9d27-45be-abd6-fa147ebf1827" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_A2026NotesOfferingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e18925ba-695e-42e8-8de8-6e5f34b5eb9a" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_A2026NotesOfferingMember_c4f8aa95-9d27-45be-abd6-fa147ebf1827" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="i1beea526d25c49bb9eafbf73f8d1c159_IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i8ff98b95edb94dca8d3d450521f71245_IncomeTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/Equity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#Equity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/Equity" xlink:type="extended" id="i36486c93fdd24e18b61746af36de1747_Equity"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/EquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#EquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/EquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1f52046773fb4105aeef3ccba50c3487_EquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_8dd8848e-a0b7-4b0b-b98a-7e7534d7924c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_8dd8848e-a0b7-4b0b-b98a-7e7534d7924c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_c7ae8bc3-3dcd-4b77-85f1-860718a54d0d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRightsPercentage_c7ae8bc3-3dcd-4b77-85f1-860718a54d0d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_752f92d6-89ed-407e-9476-b6fdf0d684b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_752f92d6-89ed-407e-9476-b6fdf0d684b2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6506aa15-5660-469e-9956-0ef60cbb424f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_6506aa15-5660-469e-9956-0ef60cbb424f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_8fde301d-003d-4316-ad8f-d71c6606fdea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_8fde301d-003d-4316-ad8f-d71c6606fdea" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_878a8d43-25a2-4ca9-8545-7614e0ffe4a4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrentAndNoncurrent_878a8d43-25a2-4ca9-8545-7614e0ffe4a4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_999785fa-0645-4d8f-9ad1-c15213a1a439" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalExpendituresIncurredButNotYetPaid_999785fa-0645-4d8f-9ad1-c15213a1a439" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentives_279e7983-bcd8-4fd2-aac1-75b965b9daef" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentives_279e7983-bcd8-4fd2-aac1-75b965b9daef" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesTerm_b0ec6048-09bb-4730-9d7a-6fe999ecac90" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesTerm_b0ec6048-09bb-4730-9d7a-6fe999ecac90" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_60280521-9203-41c5-acbf-8b3ae68562f3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionExpensesFromTransactionsWithRelatedParty_60280521-9203-41c5-acbf-8b3ae68562f3" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_3b09696d-3948-4410-ae7f-93b956bd2263" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_3b09696d-3948-4410-ae7f-93b956bd2263" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EquityContributionTaxImpact_66aad200-a730-4947-9b46-6c163aff2117" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EquityContributionTaxImpact"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EquityContributionTaxImpact_66aad200-a730-4947-9b46-6c163aff2117" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesAmountRecognized_62aff4a1-eb83-4e61-a810-3cc6bb5e130d" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesAmountRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EquityMethodInvestmentDeferredPerformanceIncentivesAmountRecognized_62aff4a1-eb83-4e61-a810-3cc6bb5e130d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_379e43ee-6e37-4980-b45f-6e6958577cbf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7002376f-0d34-4810-9090-a58066658e5a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_d49ae412-4642-4035-8516-f33204aa1411" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7002376f-0d34-4810-9090-a58066658e5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PropertyContributionMember_db3ac79a-b104-413b-a587-6d194ee732e8" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PropertyContributionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_7002376f-0d34-4810-9090-a58066658e5a" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PropertyContributionMember_db3ac79a-b104-413b-a587-6d194ee732e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_1a0c6bf6-85e6-494c-b3ac-01ec18d43b8f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_2d7c5616-972e-4773-93d6-4195bf6e374e" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_1a0c6bf6-85e6-494c-b3ac-01ec18d43b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d5414e70-2ac3-47e6-b659-1ade438ba0b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_1a0c6bf6-85e6-494c-b3ac-01ec18d43b8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_d5414e70-2ac3-47e6-b659-1ade438ba0b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_22cae479-bd0b-440f-b4de-a22026dd7c65" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_1a0c6bf6-85e6-494c-b3ac-01ec18d43b8f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_22cae479-bd0b-440f-b4de-a22026dd7c65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_bdc74420-7523-448e-b04e-e992d566c3a0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_d3673582-4664-4cdb-bf5d-17324ab3f35a" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_bdc74420-7523-448e-b04e-e992d566c3a0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_decef77c-78c6-4088-8fda-7a685d8234de" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_bdc74420-7523-448e-b04e-e992d566c3a0" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_decef77c-78c6-4088-8fda-7a685d8234de" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_82f7f877-54ab-4f44-a20a-624487aad778" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_b71a8530-7caa-46d0-aa5a-9edf0f1bc631" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_82f7f877-54ab-4f44-a20a-624487aad778" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_FivePointMember_20ce3e3f-f2c8-4ffd-b5a0-278eb82f8c28" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_FivePointMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_82f7f877-54ab-4f44-a20a-624487aad778" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_FivePointMember_20ce3e3f-f2c8-4ffd-b5a0-278eb82f8c28" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_MatadorResourcesCompanyMember_cd1f828b-b164-405e-bbbb-24d53f04b83c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_MatadorResourcesCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityDomain_82f7f877-54ab-4f44-a20a-624487aad778" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_MatadorResourcesCompanyMember_cd1f828b-b164-405e-bbbb-24d53f04b83c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8f1ed08f-8ec0-4a48-9134-a8d9317ff2b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OwnershipDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipAxis_040d5afc-fb02-41d7-95bd-56fca40231ef" xlink:to="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8f1ed08f-8ec0-4a48-9134-a8d9317ff2b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_3e169e82-033d-4af8-b9cb-6d917b5b9aca" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_OwnershipDomain_8f1ed08f-8ec0-4a48-9134-a8d9317ff2b6" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_3e169e82-033d-4af8-b9cb-6d917b5b9aca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d58a5db8-9dd3-409c-8475-f867e63165c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_bd398f8b-f818-4524-a3fe-92eaa725ecd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d58a5db8-9dd3-409c-8475-f867e63165c3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_897c8b90-c422-4688-a14d-15506a76987c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_d58a5db8-9dd3-409c-8475-f867e63165c3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_897c8b90-c422-4688-a14d-15506a76987c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c16b1a35-a121-44c3-8d87-702a7beffb24" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_7bdeaab3-b32a-4bfe-a076-4d0c21acce03" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c16b1a35-a121-44c3-8d87-702a7beffb24" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMember_f4bf8c26-8252-4a6b-8000-0c1e2ae28ebe" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c16b1a35-a121-44c3-8d87-702a7beffb24" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMember_f4bf8c26-8252-4a6b-8000-0c1e2ae28ebe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_cac4cbcb-b8cd-4772-8c51-365081e53238" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_c16b1a35-a121-44c3-8d87-702a7beffb24" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_cac4cbcb-b8cd-4772-8c51-365081e53238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_a2e1e906-5d5a-4d7d-9a51-a1c71b98bf0c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_cc906451-f611-4552-b424-4ac433f36c78" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ServiceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember_cc906451-f611-4552-b424-4ac433f36c78" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember_15d3f7b4-99b7-4693-9a86-bebaebd1322c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember_15d3f7b4-99b7-4693-9a86-bebaebd1322c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ServicebasedRestrictedStockUnitsAndPerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember_17eb6d18-b7d3-4413-bbb6-31dd59e4b263" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ServicebasedRestrictedStockUnitsAndPerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ServicebasedRestrictedStockUnitsAndPerformanceBasedStockUnitsMember_17eb6d18-b7d3-4413-bbb6-31dd59e4b263" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_a4d68023-80bc-4c2e-96bc-ec8ae60a0524" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f729be8f-e154-407b-af6b-447e739df369" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_a4d68023-80bc-4c2e-96bc-ec8ae60a0524" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_91cd36b3-1a3b-4ce5-be4b-c3454ca6367b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_357314da-3400-47d7-9f77-b0c2f4469761" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_dd636cd9-3073-436d-9610-6c390061d4cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_357314da-3400-47d7-9f77-b0c2f4469761" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_9110b8ad-7392-4fe0-b20d-6d94c0200f27" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_357314da-3400-47d7-9f77-b0c2f4469761" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_9110b8ad-7392-4fe0-b20d-6d94c0200f27" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstruments"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstruments" xlink:type="extended" id="iff9c9e41139b46d2ba3d9684bbd76ae3_DerivativeFinancialInstruments"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ia70380fd332042adaccaa83b8cb85b51_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i852c33a54c4841f3add22e228d5065da_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_4edb9f9c-594a-42f5-b201-d592b9928355" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_4edb9f9c-594a-42f5-b201-d592b9928355" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount_e9ba515e-5d6f-4537-bd36-b21bfdf7feaf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNonmonetaryNotionalAmount_e9ba515e-5d6f-4537-bd36-b21bfdf7feaf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice_a491505b-fa2b-4eae-a060-fb630e87a44e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFloorPrice_a491505b-fa2b-4eae-a060-fb630e87a44e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice_f654a87f-059e-48d9-94c0-f49d7555e5c6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCapPrice_f654a87f-059e-48d9-94c0-f49d7555e5c6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet_da4bca9e-d589-455d-8cf3-da1acab8506a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetsLiabilitiesAtFairValueNet_da4bca9e-d589-455d-8cf3-da1acab8506a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice_b9434b5b-b6d1-44e3-86d6-d153d38e8d5e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsForOilAndNaturalGasAbstract_03a6485c-4f9c-4240-8547-c051f98c8d87" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeSwapTypeAverageFixedPrice_b9434b5b-b6d1-44e3-86d6-d153d38e8d5e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_70f22241-6e2b-4aad-bb3c-a25fb8deafc8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_4edb9f9c-594a-42f5-b201-d592b9928355" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_70f22241-6e2b-4aad-bb3c-a25fb8deafc8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodAxis_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_70f22241-6e2b-4aad-bb3c-a25fb8deafc8" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodAxis_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3_default" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodAxis_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodAxis_83643c93-a29c-4ad9-8de7-624439dc76b3" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodOneMember_df65feb2-2c50-40eb-adb6-d2dadf0507f7" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodOneMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodOneMember_df65feb2-2c50-40eb-adb6-d2dadf0507f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodTwoMember_dbfc7653-d883-4153-b37b-926ade0ba3ed" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodTwoMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodTwoMember_dbfc7653-d883-4153-b37b-926ade0ba3ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodThreeMember_bd29c539-7011-448d-a86f-943f353e3558" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodThreeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodThreeMember_bd29c539-7011-448d-a86f-943f353e3558" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFourMember_51a66d90-6793-402f-8153-f0ac1a844825" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFourMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFourMember_51a66d90-6793-402f-8153-f0ac1a844825" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFiveMember_e12c70aa-4ed4-4567-9ab7-9ecf262fae75" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFiveMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractPeriodDomain_d8721a4b-a4f9-4baa-9c0b-1b0ec0be1a48" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeContractCalculationPeriodFiveMember_e12c70aa-4ed4-4567-9ab7-9ecf262fae75" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeAxis_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_70f22241-6e2b-4aad-bb3c-a25fb8deafc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeAxis_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeAxis_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_8d358915-27bc-4857-a8c4-4262dd123952" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeAxis_a266253b-09f5-40c5-bd0c-9cad371381f2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_8d358915-27bc-4857-a8c4-4262dd123952" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsMember_ea479202-c52b-4a62-8743-378fe4c31ae9" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_8d358915-27bc-4857-a8c4-4262dd123952" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OpenCostlessCollarContractsMember_ea479202-c52b-4a62-8743-378fe4c31ae9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OpenSwapContractsMember_425eba56-0752-4d87-862b-eec7d76cb4ef" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OpenSwapContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_8d358915-27bc-4857-a8c4-4262dd123952" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OpenSwapContractsMember_425eba56-0752-4d87-862b-eec7d76cb4ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OpenBasisSwapContractsMember_cd17ee26-d891-4403-9318-ac20809f526c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OpenBasisSwapContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OpenOptionContractsWrittenTypeDomain_8d358915-27bc-4857-a8c4-4262dd123952" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OpenBasisSwapContractsMember_cd17ee26-d891-4403-9318-ac20809f526c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_70f22241-6e2b-4aad-bb3c-a25fb8deafc8" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_TypeOfReserveDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b" xlink:to="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_60a1402d-d145-42f1-bb20-b0a9b1624e3c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_TypeOfReserveDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_071ad3cf-bb61-4656-8171-ebdc72f2307b" xlink:to="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_60a1402d-d145-42f1-bb20-b0a9b1624e3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OilReservesMember_faaa1103-2586-4a7e-b344-57559910d923" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OilReservesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_60a1402d-d145-42f1-bb20-b0a9b1624e3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_OilReservesMember_faaa1103-2586-4a7e-b344-57559910d923" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_0cdf1f4a-8636-4291-83de-db05fb62202e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NaturalGasReservesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_60a1402d-d145-42f1-bb20-b0a9b1624e3c" xlink:to="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_0cdf1f4a-8636-4291-83de-db05fb62202e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OilBasisSwapMember_a52e07e3-4403-472e-8d50-b0609142df01" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OilBasisSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_60a1402d-d145-42f1-bb20-b0a9b1624e3c" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OilBasisSwapMember_a52e07e3-4403-472e-8d50-b0609142df01" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i12689e574b154a48b9be4483a8b9ba83_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails2"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails2" xlink:type="extended" id="ib081c710924747508a806eae38ff1701_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails2">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_1e67307c-4a1c-4ca7-980e-e2c067c89b7e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_1e67307c-4a1c-4ca7-980e-e2c067c89b7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_1606905b-7ee1-469c-b631-44d17fc5ecb2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssetFairValueGrossLiability_1606905b-7ee1-469c-b631-44d17fc5ecb2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_3e33b8f5-bc9c-4e78-bceb-911b15b5a7aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_3e33b8f5-bc9c-4e78-bceb-911b15b5a7aa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract_078df8fb-90a3-49cf-8924-c0821405a5ad" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract_078df8fb-90a3-49cf-8924-c0821405a5ad" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_5666fadd-253b-493e-91d1-ecaa62fe7f5e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract_078df8fb-90a3-49cf-8924-c0821405a5ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiability_5666fadd-253b-493e-91d1-ecaa62fe7f5e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_6beececd-1e6e-4494-ae78-54f52225b11a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract_078df8fb-90a3-49cf-8924-c0821405a5ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueGrossAsset_6beececd-1e6e-4494-ae78-54f52225b11a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_397c2849-f808-4a9a-8664-50416185557e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueNetAbstract_078df8fb-90a3-49cf-8924-c0821405a5ad" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_397c2849-f808-4a9a-8664-50416185557e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_88764b78-d311-46a5-96c9-1cdd26956f10" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_88764b78-d311-46a5-96c9-1cdd26956f10" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilitySubjecttoMasterNettingArrangement_5ec1df1b-c4ff-424c-a979-64fadd0291c3" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilitySubjecttoMasterNettingArrangement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilitySubjecttoMasterNettingArrangement_5ec1df1b-c4ff-424c-a979-64fadd0291c3" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNet_5ff638a0-da96-4ccb-a120-0c2d6514e9a5" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DerivativeAssetLiabilityNet_5ff638a0-da96-4ccb-a120-0c2d6514e9a5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_220f6dba-cf95-462c-a54b-04df12bc8e1b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems_ab5651ec-57ba-4339-a2c7-5d78216fb0e1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_220f6dba-cf95-462c-a54b-04df12bc8e1b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeTable_220f6dba-cf95-462c-a54b-04df12bc8e1b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_a932589e-d11d-4721-a80d-2771e182a184" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember_99fb7786-681c-4e53-9118-8bc7b06b1508" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentAssetsMember_99fb7786-681c-4e53-9118-8bc7b06b1508" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_fdcac00a-820b-4fa9-b7e3-1715277b9003" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_fdcac00a-820b-4fa9-b7e3-1715277b9003" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_6c619573-0c73-4290-9bbf-938d83c0b864" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember_6c619573-0c73-4290-9bbf-938d83c0b864" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_18dc7119-3eeb-47ef-baec-10affab3dc9a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_3d8aaa6d-4c70-4338-889e-e1676fc2db99" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_18dc7119-3eeb-47ef-baec-10affab3dc9a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails3"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails3" xlink:type="extended" id="if8c0c7d8bc2e45b7a1f6b291759ccd79_DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsDetails3">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_dbb7cd98-bfed-475e-bdfb-bfe17e165060" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract_4d10fc46-415d-4596-9c77-b59f63617b9b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_dbb7cd98-bfed-475e-bdfb-bfe17e165060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract_4d10fc46-415d-4596-9c77-b59f63617b9b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_9fbfc7f3-e005-43e3-98e2-620791129ae4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract_4d10fc46-415d-4596-9c77-b59f63617b9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_9fbfc7f3-e005-43e3-98e2-620791129ae4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_b2675aa1-c9c2-47d8-8447-154d37207cff" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract_4d10fc46-415d-4596-9c77-b59f63617b9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_b2675aa1-c9c2-47d8-8447-154d37207cff" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_0bf01126-7937-4b74-bde2-6bb81ba4e192" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNetAbstract_4d10fc46-415d-4596-9c77-b59f63617b9b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_0bf01126-7937-4b74-bde2-6bb81ba4e192" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_b0ae3703-68bf-441a-96eb-9896b080c904" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_dbb7cd98-bfed-475e-bdfb-bfe17e165060" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_b0ae3703-68bf-441a-96eb-9896b080c904" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_b0ae3703-68bf-441a-96eb-9896b080c904" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_TypeOfReserveDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947" xlink:to="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_68330d24-d950-4763-a439-a8016fc887da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_TypeOfReserveDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ReserveQuantitiesByTypeOfReserveAxis_4dcb301f-8533-4b8d-9f2b-6ef801d26947" xlink:to="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_68330d24-d950-4763-a439-a8016fc887da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OilReservesMember_9fbbc33d-24a8-4519-ad7b-0d14e0748413" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OilReservesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_68330d24-d950-4763-a439-a8016fc887da" xlink:to="loc_srt_OilReservesMember_9fbbc33d-24a8-4519-ad7b-0d14e0748413" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_a1ce851c-6dd4-4231-b205-ce85f0fa4719" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NaturalGasReservesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_TypeOfReserveDomain_68330d24-d950-4763-a439-a8016fc887da" xlink:to="loc_srt_NaturalGasReservesMember_a1ce851c-6dd4-4231-b205-ce85f0fa4719" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipByIncomeStatementLocationByDerivativeInstrumentRiskTable_b0ae3703-68bf-441a-96eb-9896b080c904" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_7f727696-eea6-4be9-a6f2-5460429a451e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_0cc28013-704f-4a1c-bd85-8c66f7d36401" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_7f727696-eea6-4be9-a6f2-5460429a451e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RevenuesMember_1363a2ca-2b8b-45f5-91bc-9695f744c02c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RevenuesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_7f727696-eea6-4be9-a6f2-5460429a451e" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_RevenuesMember_1363a2ca-2b8b-45f5-91bc-9695f744c02c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" id="ib2ff8380083d4ee59659a129e803dae8_FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i2be112e81be64f6b98de386e362215e3_FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i1f6067b0378e44c0ad0a51705500de92_FairValueMeasurementsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_bed36d1a-265c-4bb7-a879-8daa725ee698" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract_d828f178-b9d0-42bb-ae70-62784505357e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_bed36d1a-265c-4bb7-a879-8daa725ee698" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract_d828f178-b9d0-42bb-ae70-62784505357e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract_b3fd96f6-e284-422c-9178-d4a057509927" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNetAbstract_d828f178-b9d0-42bb-ae70-62784505357e" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract_b3fd96f6-e284-422c-9178-d4a057509927" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_fdb5aed4-b149-411f-96ed-a544b246499a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract_b3fd96f6-e284-422c-9178-d4a057509927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_fdb5aed4-b149-411f-96ed-a544b246499a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_30ef4850-85ac-4ffe-a8df-4886e9030dbb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract_b3fd96f6-e284-422c-9178-d4a057509927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeAssets_30ef4850-85ac-4ffe-a8df-4886e9030dbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_1f7e5026-c4b2-4b07-b99e-f63e50b5d01a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_AssetLiabilitiesAbstract_b3fd96f6-e284-422c-9178-d4a057509927" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeNet_1f7e5026-c4b2-4b07-b99e-f63e50b5d01a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_f984b0f5-5a05-4209-bba8-6409d94a3c84" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_bed36d1a-265c-4bb7-a879-8daa725ee698" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_f984b0f5-5a05-4209-bba8-6409d94a3c84" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_f984b0f5-5a05-4209-bba8-6409d94a3c84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_eb581d07-5fca-4ce7-8138-dbf7bb09839f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_d442af7d-c2c6-49ca-b3db-c5a21c53f552" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_eb581d07-5fca-4ce7-8138-dbf7bb09839f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_e7c2db4f-f77b-4a03-b461-0e672170ef77" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_eb581d07-5fca-4ce7-8138-dbf7bb09839f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_e7c2db4f-f77b-4a03-b461-0e672170ef77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_f984b0f5-5a05-4209-bba8-6409d94a3c84" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1daf4f4-31b1-4e01-ad28-f905e32a87c0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8d57ad88-a01e-4ca0-a911-c9736e3be8ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1daf4f4-31b1-4e01-ad28-f905e32a87c0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_44d4a39c-e659-4f1d-9d07-6095f26edbca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1daf4f4-31b1-4e01-ad28-f905e32a87c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_44d4a39c-e659-4f1d-9d07-6095f26edbca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_f81beaa1-81cb-4d6e-b2ff-62fb58308a74" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1daf4f4-31b1-4e01-ad28-f905e32a87c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_f81beaa1-81cb-4d6e-b2ff-62fb58308a74" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_af0c1a0e-5fe2-441c-bf18-6670fd682a0f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d1daf4f4-31b1-4e01-ad28-f905e32a87c0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_af0c1a0e-5fe2-441c-bf18-6670fd682a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i9b5d6c7cd7b64926b5e973a137c6f03b_FairValueMeasurementsDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_105e734c-b693-4283-9dd7-3e206ce9fe22" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_e728919c-32be-4cd4-ab61-3280b8e59e00" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_105e734c-b693-4283-9dd7-3e206ce9fe22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure_e728919c-32be-4cd4-ab61-3280b8e59e00" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_2ad9e4a7-f76c-49b2-af4f-e82bb3d38f28" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_105e734c-b693-4283-9dd7-3e206ce9fe22" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_2ad9e4a7-f76c-49b2-af4f-e82bb3d38f28" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_2ad9e4a7-f76c-49b2-af4f-e82bb3d38f28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e1a00350-66ee-4d14-9696-8125f1ea7c26" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_60ddd4a2-fb3f-4169-a527-ef97f6ef075d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e1a00350-66ee-4d14-9696-8125f1ea7c26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2023Member_b83eb957-c11d-4282-858a-253e6f9019b5" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2023Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_e1a00350-66ee-4d14-9696-8125f1ea7c26" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SeniorNotesDue2023Member_b83eb957-c11d-4282-858a-253e6f9019b5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable_2ad9e4a7-f76c-49b2-af4f-e82bb3d38f28" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d78f52f9-6358-4859-baa9-32c881e9cf90" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b3c7c31-9f33-4aff-8186-47b9cfe43251" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d78f52f9-6358-4859-baa9-32c881e9cf90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_3b3e4053-f3a8-4fb8-97a2-89852b94534e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d78f52f9-6358-4859-baa9-32c881e9cf90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredDebtMember_3b3e4053-f3a8-4fb8-97a2-89852b94534e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="extended" id="ib29aa19cd61442d697644be41dbdf847_CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ieda1aae5cc8941609312e653c9b08444_CommitmentsandContingenciesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems_4094741e-555c-4929-98ee-ecee1000c00d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitment_6af63f11-e5c8-4950-9576-36aa60575026" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems_4094741e-555c-4929-98ee-ecee1000c00d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitment_6af63f11-e5c8-4950-9576-36aa60575026" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PaymentForOtherCommitment_c990c962-6066-4af3-b6d0-0f5df707c2f1" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PaymentForOtherCommitment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems_4094741e-555c-4929-98ee-ecee1000c00d" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PaymentForOtherCommitment_c990c962-6066-4af3-b6d0-0f5df707c2f1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems_4094741e-555c-4929-98ee-ecee1000c00d" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SupplyAgreementTerm_4ef62677-120c-471f-8bbd-326dff907d31" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SupplyAgreementTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SupplyAgreementTerm_4ef62677-120c-471f-8bbd-326dff907d31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_f4e48b44-c51c-4307-a292-9e3ef888d620" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligation_f4e48b44-c51c-4307-a292-9e3ef888d620" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ContractualObligationTerm_3c725e07-9542-433f-80a0-9f5e13b97923" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ContractualObligationTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ContractualObligationTerm_3c725e07-9542-433f-80a0-9f5e13b97923" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RelatedPartyTransactionContractAgreementTerm_ea10dcf0-1bf0-412e-a572-4b24661c33bc" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RelatedPartyTransactionContractAgreementTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_RelatedPartyTransactionContractAgreementTerm_ea10dcf0-1bf0-412e-a572-4b24661c33bc" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PaymentForPurchaseAgreement_aa246a9f-2b1d-4a35-a8aa-5763ea61a4a8" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PaymentForPurchaseAgreement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PaymentForPurchaseAgreement_aa246a9f-2b1d-4a35-a8aa-5763ea61a4a8" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths_d9941690-527c-467b-b3b5-28b9453f7af4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTextualAbstract_4b042d70-e9f5-4a9c-891e-c1a9bcba3931" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractualObligationDueInNextTwelveMonths_d9941690-527c-467b-b3b5-28b9453f7af4" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentLineItems_4094741e-555c-4929-98ee-ecee1000c00d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5c21d6bd-a321-4881-b273-1722e7d40b30" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_2a8dbda8-f42a-4277-b64e-c4cd490a3719" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5c21d6bd-a321-4881-b273-1722e7d40b30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_13ee6764-7efa-4e44-a371-b5ec6c09399a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_5c21d6bd-a321-4881-b273-1722e7d40b30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_13ee6764-7efa-4e44-a371-b5ec6c09399a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAxis_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAxis_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1_default" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAxis_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentAxis_9bdde1c5-c325-4d50-b1ec-35e9c6428cc1" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasTransportationandFractionationAgreementMember_33227bf0-3e9e-4a9d-a420-339b1bf00a63" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_NaturalGasTransportationandFractionationAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasTransportationandFractionationAgreementMember_33227bf0-3e9e-4a9d-a420-339b1bf00a63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_A201915YearFixedFeeNaturalGasTransportationAgreementMember_10f00698-2ab1-4620-bb52-0c8a817722e7" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_A201915YearFixedFeeNaturalGasTransportationAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_A201915YearFixedFeeNaturalGasTransportationAgreementMember_10f00698-2ab1-4620-bb52-0c8a817722e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OperationalAgreementsMember_ee5d6c1f-d454-41d7-b4f2-33172ab6119e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OperationalAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OperationalAgreementsMember_ee5d6c1f-d454-41d7-b4f2-33172ab6119e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EngineeringProcurementConstructionAndInstallationOfProcessingPlantMember_e71b2de7-a903-4a9d-bb90-f9d004d3124d" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EngineeringProcurementConstructionAndInstallationOfProcessingPlantMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_LongtermPurchaseCommitmentDomain_73d0ae36-9183-4caf-9af2-60178f54560c" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EngineeringProcurementConstructionAndInstallationOfProcessingPlantMember_e71b2de7-a903-4a9d-bb90-f9d004d3124d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_StatementGeographicalAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8fc18c7b-b5d2-4484-8867-f941ee1f1900" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementGeographicalAxis_534d089f-89af-4818-ba05-538bc2d3c2c3" xlink:to="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8fc18c7b-b5d2-4484-8867-f941ee1f1900" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RustlerBreaksandWolfAssetAreaMember_776bc00c-c6ca-4347-aa4d-4a67f3515597" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RustlerBreaksandWolfAssetAreaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8fc18c7b-b5d2-4484-8867-f941ee1f1900" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_RustlerBreaksandWolfAssetAreaMember_776bc00c-c6ca-4347-aa4d-4a67f3515597" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_RustlerBreaksAssetAreaMember_51b7a4c4-9de2-4995-a00b-bac25046116e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_RustlerBreaksAssetAreaMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_SegmentGeographicalDomain_8fc18c7b-b5d2-4484-8867-f941ee1f1900" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_RustlerBreaksAssetAreaMember_51b7a4c4-9de2-4995-a00b-bac25046116e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e5b5203-c7d8-4f3c-83ce-76999d6cbeed" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_c500266d-7be0-46a0-aa52-e9eadb469573" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e5b5203-c7d8-4f3c-83ce-76999d6cbeed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_20e56853-c644-49c3-ba5f-9ba9e6834ee8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e5b5203-c7d8-4f3c-83ce-76999d6cbeed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateJointVentureMember_20e56853-c644-49c3-ba5f-9ba9e6834ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_db2f045c-922b-42d3-b6e9-7806775587ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis_62bd997c-938b-4837-bfd8-de7b1fb7f2f0" xlink:to="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_db2f045c-922b-42d3-b6e9-7806775587ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EddyCountyMember_80bec826-29ef-4ff0-a344-b6cfcf00a8dc" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EddyCountyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_db2f045c-922b-42d3-b6e9-7806775587ec" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EddyCountyMember_80bec826-29ef-4ff0-a344-b6cfcf00a8dc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_b48001da-dbbe-47fd-9307-86e540a89d98" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_EquityMethodInvesteeNameDomain_db2f045c-922b-42d3-b6e9-7806775587ec" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SanMateoMidstreamMember_b48001da-dbbe-47fd-9307-86e540a89d98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsAxis_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsAxis_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsAxis_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain_4556a2d4-da36-41ef-8ca2-e4ccf6679b94" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsAxis_2a77ee9e-300f-4080-80fb-a1a1a509b0d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain_4556a2d4-da36-41ef-8ca2-e4ccf6679b94" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_EddyCountyMember_0c2a5ebd-07d8-488f-85e5-809d2b5a363b" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_EddyCountyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasDeliveryCommitmentsAndContractsOilProducingPropertyDomain_4556a2d4-da36-41ef-8ca2-e4ccf6679b94" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_EddyCountyMember_0c2a5ebd-07d8-488f-85e5-809d2b5a363b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermPurchaseCommitmentTable_842da540-0d97-4c33-8847-4dcfec454c65" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain_9c3c7399-02d0-42ba-9e23-06935191179b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_8cd7b2d4-6665-46c7-a5e9-47e411e034dc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain_9c3c7399-02d0-42ba-9e23-06935191179b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_DeliveryOfNaturalGasAndOilProductionToThirdPartiesMember_7a2c14c2-83f2-4476-b907-7fe20e0b27eb" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_DeliveryOfNaturalGasAndOilProductionToThirdPartiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsDomain_9c3c7399-02d0-42ba-9e23-06935191179b" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_DeliveryOfNaturalGasAndOilProductionToThirdPartiesMember_7a2c14c2-83f2-4476-b907-7fe20e0b27eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosures" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SupplementalDisclosures"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosures" xlink:type="extended" id="i0c901b2740fe4623a07ead91ec2944da_SupplementalDisclosures"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SupplementalDisclosuresTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i018c72269f0241d296a4f1c0be2e4ba6_SupplementalDisclosuresTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SupplementalDisclosuresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i392e3ab1872145358b703f7d76e5573c_SupplementalDisclosuresDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresLineItems_f44102d4-ec3a-47f7-870f-4a1b6d7fdad6" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_1a267d3a-5447-44d7-83a3-2bdb9480bbcf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresLineItems_f44102d4-ec3a-47f7-870f-4a1b6d7fdad6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_1a267d3a-5447-44d7-83a3-2bdb9480bbcf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresTable_b7389685-ab49-4f6e-9cbe-035a667b76ee" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresLineItems_f44102d4-ec3a-47f7-870f-4a1b6d7fdad6" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresTable_b7389685-ab49-4f6e-9cbe-035a667b76ee" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_mtdr_SupplementalDisclosuresTable_b7389685-ab49-4f6e-9cbe-035a667b76ee" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_69ca555d-0c1a-48cc-b6f0-2002833fb98d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedEvaluatedAndUnprovedAndUnevaluatedPropertyCostsMember_ede36a49-14b2-4cbe-85c5-255f2a7c2103" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedEvaluatedAndUnprovedAndUnevaluatedPropertyCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedEvaluatedAndUnprovedAndUnevaluatedPropertyCostsMember_ede36a49-14b2-4cbe-85c5-255f2a7c2103" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedSupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesCostsMember_954ec3d2-cf42-4669-b899-3d6a0e679f31" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedSupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedSupportEquipmentAndFacilitiesCostsMember_954ec3d2-cf42-4669-b899-3d6a0e679f31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedLeaseOperatingExpensesMember_dba6273a-4121-489d-8d98-59ad938aaec0" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedLeaseOperatingExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedLeaseOperatingExpensesMember_dba6273a-4121-489d-8d98-59ad938aaec0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedInterestOnBorrowingsUnderCreditAgreementMember_33157221-e2c2-4de3-bfad-01dce5cc3f8b" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedInterestOnBorrowingsUnderCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedInterestOnBorrowingsUnderCreditAgreementMember_33157221-e2c2-4de3-bfad-01dce5cc3f8b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedAssetRetirementObligationsMember_dd825fff-4692-4c93-99bb-8a0e3754e953" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedAssetRetirementObligationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedAssetRetirementObligationsMember_dd825fff-4692-4c93-99bb-8a0e3754e953" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedPartnersShareOfJointInterestChargesMember_8c6fc52b-afc8-4ba0-948e-b8abc0796d6e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedPartnersShareOfJointInterestChargesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedPartnersShareOfJointInterestChargesMember_8c6fc52b-afc8-4ba0-948e-b8abc0796d6e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_AccruedPayableRelatedToPurchasedNaturalGasMember_ad499484-f8a5-4002-a6a7-9a2bc97f2351" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_AccruedPayableRelatedToPurchasedNaturalGasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_AccruedPayableRelatedToPurchasedNaturalGasMember_ad499484-f8a5-4002-a6a7-9a2bc97f2351" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OtherAccruedLiabilityMember_0ee80905-3e24-4dea-b1a0-48bae092648a" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OtherAccruedLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_971d9d76-8907-478a-b8ac-65e7d307b4fa" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OtherAccruedLiabilityMember_0ee80905-3e24-4dea-b1a0-48bae092648a" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresDetails1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SupplementalDisclosuresDetails1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresDetails1" xlink:type="extended" id="i1537375847694d6089710097bb90502f_SupplementalDisclosuresDetails1">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_f65cc330-3c9b-4895-a96d-074ae5be9985" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestPaidNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestPaidNet_f65cc330-3c9b-4895-a96d-074ae5be9985" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetRetirementObligations_a5a44986-3974-4570-a94c-d9a802628e9e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetRetirementObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetRetirementObligations_a5a44986-3974-4570-a94c-d9a802628e9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseinliabilitiesforoilandnaturalgasproperties_de3f56f9-3ffd-42c8-94e2-ada680fbc540" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseinliabilitiesforoilandnaturalgasproperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseinliabilitiesforoilandnaturalgasproperties_de3f56f9-3ffd-42c8-94e2-ada680fbc540" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilitiesForSupportEquipmentAndFacilities_3e33ac47-9d06-485d-a5bb-68a8dfd9e34e" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilitiesForSupportEquipmentAndFacilities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_IncreaseDecreaseInLiabilitiesForSupportEquipmentAndFacilities_3e33ac47-9d06-485d-a5bb-68a8dfd9e34e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_StockBasedCompensationExpenseRecognizedAsLiability_3a972f5e-bada-40db-8b64-d8c381600d91" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_StockBasedCompensationExpenseRecognizedAsLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_StockBasedCompensationExpenseRecognizedAsLiability_3a972f5e-bada-40db-8b64-d8c381600d91" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_TransferofInventoryFromToOilandNaturalGasProperties_da214e86-38eb-4f67-8dd8-2919b0237fd2" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_TransferofInventoryFromToOilandNaturalGasProperties"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_TransferofInventoryFromToOilandNaturalGasProperties_da214e86-38eb-4f67-8dd8-2919b0237fd2" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_58663977-437a-4445-82f3-d1f9fdf605bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_2e550fcb-9632-4700-a3c9-2036dddd5912" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_58663977-437a-4445-82f3-d1f9fdf605bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_58663977-437a-4445-82f3-d1f9fdf605bf" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_89d5b39b-3854-425b-92fc-27a87336ed41" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationDescriptionOfPropertyAxis_da92f457-d598-461f-97ea-3d3202ed81e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_89d5b39b-3854-425b-92fc-27a87336ed41" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_MineralPropertiesMember_13947fe8-ed62-4df3-9397-da8b042ef6a5" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_MineralPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_89d5b39b-3854-425b-92fc-27a87336ed41" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_MineralPropertiesMember_13947fe8-ed62-4df3-9397-da8b042ef6a5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_MidstreamPropertiesMember_024a5ccc-8e55-4a20-9a20-aba3b254b4b7" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_MidstreamPropertiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RealEstateAndAccumulatedDepreciationNameOfPropertyDomain_89d5b39b-3854-425b-92fc-27a87336ed41" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_MidstreamPropertiesMember_024a5ccc-8e55-4a20-9a20-aba3b254b4b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresSupplementalDisclosuresRestrictedCashReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SupplementalDisclosuresSupplementalDisclosuresRestrictedCashReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SupplementalDisclosuresSupplementalDisclosuresRestrictedCashReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i44ac45e9d0314701b845d9ac41853636_SupplementalDisclosuresSupplementalDisclosuresRestrictedCashReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SegmentInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformation" xlink:type="extended" id="i371d9b212bd44a27b2c9a9183e06d57c_SegmentInformation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SegmentInformationTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformationTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ibeb47ec1ee9a44258bacdb1746fcced9_SegmentInformationTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SegmentInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idf938a41e73b45c39a97a5ca62ac989b_SegmentInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_c0e2928a-406a-445d-80e4-28a30145a3be" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_c0e2928a-406a-445d-80e4-28a30145a3be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_8d119f68-e3e5-4ee5-8e1b-8d16ce89ec91" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments_8d119f68-e3e5-4ee5-8e1b-8d16ce89ec91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_6b37f375-cf40-4deb-a6d1-294bc77c467f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfDerivatives_6b37f375-cf40-4deb-a6d1-294bc77c467f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_d33ba1fd-08ae-4931-b923-97a79e7ecce2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnDerivatives_d33ba1fd-08ae-4931-b923-97a79e7ecce2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_d548c2a3-46c8-4b8b-9473-89ee37fd7ef9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_d548c2a3-46c8-4b8b-9473-89ee37fd7ef9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_dfdb2368-0200-4b57-8d9e-5e1e6cef9046" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_dfdb2368-0200-4b57-8d9e-5e1e6cef9046" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_d8f46d3b-f44d-4175-acc0-e8ef90622431" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_d8f46d3b-f44d-4175-acc0-e8ef90622431" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_674e57a1-25f0-4712-aaf2-601229296a83" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets_674e57a1-25f0-4712-aaf2-601229296a83" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_08e06834-f4de-43cc-bb89-a591796178eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_08e06834-f4de-43cc-bb89-a591796178eb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_3004afce-11e3-44f3-b7b0-a7eb6b25bb57" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_3004afce-11e3-44f3-b7b0-a7eb6b25bb57" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsLandAndSeismicAcquisitionExpenditures_d6bad0fc-c158-4ca7-ba7b-9aebd99cb74c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsLandAndSeismicAcquisitionExpenditures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssetsLandAndSeismicAcquisitionExpenditures_d6bad0fc-c158-4ca7-ba7b-9aebd99cb74c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PaymentstoAcquireProductiveAssetsNoncontrollingInterest_cfbf4a39-031b-42c4-bcd7-0ee5387a0c8d" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PaymentstoAcquireProductiveAssetsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PaymentstoAcquireProductiveAssetsNoncontrollingInterest_cfbf4a39-031b-42c4-bcd7-0ee5387a0c8d" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_66e98f20-60e3-4f03-acbb-ac0cd842475c" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ImpairmentOfOilAndGasToNetCapitalizedCosts_66e98f20-60e3-4f03-acbb-ac0cd842475c" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_fd11b8d5-9c59-48db-9c05-1083dbcb8ba4" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_LeaseBonusMineralAcreageIncome_fd11b8d5-9c59-48db-9c05-1083dbcb8ba4" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_32417f33-5d9a-46e2-8f48-181935987bbb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_0e878365-77af-4157-a991-d3af74d9b0e0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_df07329d-caea-4b3d-b230-36c524ac1b03" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_0e878365-77af-4157-a991-d3af74d9b0e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasMember_1175fbab-2695-474e-9190-15a86ba1d4b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OilAndGasMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_0e878365-77af-4157-a991-d3af74d9b0e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OilAndGasMember_1175fbab-2695-474e-9190-15a86ba1d4b2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_813e57e8-42e4-491b-88ec-df749670c146" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_0e878365-77af-4157-a991-d3af74d9b0e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NaturalGasMidstreamMember_813e57e8-42e4-491b-88ec-df749670c146" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_2765aa52-ecf0-45be-a992-eff9e536d623" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_0e878365-77af-4157-a991-d3af74d9b0e0" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_NaturalGasSalesMember_2765aa52-ecf0-45be-a992-eff9e536d623" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0e9acf7c-fd92-49ea-8f9f-2c66c84e7f49" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_8a4a2a73-b2d6-4170-a7f9-7555d904aa10" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0e9acf7c-fd92-49ea-8f9f-2c66c84e7f49" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossMember_cce8a0c8-3a94-4120-b03f-55376014f5ee" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_0e9acf7c-fd92-49ea-8f9f-2c66c84e7f49" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLossMember_cce8a0c8-3a94-4120-b03f-55376014f5ee" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0bbe1894-b4c7-4aeb-878c-681a51952d51" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_4897de54-f3fa-4173-ac89-9ea3d033fd96" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0bbe1894-b4c7-4aeb-878c-681a51952d51" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ExplorationandProductionSegmentMember_d17f9e98-1d35-4eee-83e5-0e733444fadc" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ExplorationandProductionSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0bbe1894-b4c7-4aeb-878c-681a51952d51" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ExplorationandProductionSegmentMember_d17f9e98-1d35-4eee-83e5-0e733444fadc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_MidstreamSegmentMember_6de43443-4d94-4559-9ae8-56549c69a30a" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_MidstreamSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_0bbe1894-b4c7-4aeb-878c-681a51952d51" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_MidstreamSegmentMember_6de43443-4d94-4559-9ae8-56549c69a30a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_ea031257-c2bd-4f1d-bf51-09750dfeb4c5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9ef31e80-2862-4d66-9894-a3a84a750228" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_72d95b27-d0a0-4e28-b487-9deb41bb834b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9ef31e80-2862-4d66-9894-a3a84a750228" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_00a887ec-4129-4e2a-8654-c105c5711088" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9ef31e80-2862-4d66-9894-a3a84a750228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_00a887ec-4129-4e2a-8654-c105c5711088" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_a14368cc-d6bc-41b0-b202-11a71ab6e881" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9ef31e80-2862-4d66-9894-a3a84a750228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember_a14368cc-d6bc-41b0-b202-11a71ab6e881" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_aa6fa437-a9cc-449b-adac-57f423cb0f7f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_9ef31e80-2862-4d66-9894-a3a84a750228" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember_aa6fa437-a9cc-449b-adac-57f423cb0f7f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantors" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SubsidiaryGuarantors"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantors" xlink:type="extended" id="i248db90a804a4078b5bc5e1ab07e2a60_SubsidiaryGuarantors"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i560f4ae42d8e4d5d8b85ab598e184151_SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedBalanceSheetDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_ef9f3be9-3395-4001-b8d1-e34eb14da958" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage_ef9f3be9-3395-4001-b8d1-e34eb14da958" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_ReceivablesIntercompany_e65efaee-deef-4cc9-a507-d05c1af226aa" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_ReceivablesIntercompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_ReceivablesIntercompany_e65efaee-deef-4cc9-a507-d05c1af226aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_f7f5bce0-f1af-465e-9d66-6c607a42c8bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent_f7f5bce0-f1af-465e-9d66-6c607a42c8bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_e36ba35a-6698-4dd2-8bad-f625f0450ea0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_e36ba35a-6698-4dd2-8bad-f625f0450ea0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_dfc37fe4-ff31-4b21-ba46-d9e360a7099a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsInAffiliatesSubsidiariesAssociatesAndJointVentures_dfc37fe4-ff31-4b21-ba46-d9e360a7099a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_55f5040f-0b14-4854-a5bb-cdee2359ea62" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherAssets_55f5040f-0b14-4854-a5bb-cdee2359ea62" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Assets_1135c631-00df-4d9d-9221-6a646350cbc9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Assets_1135c631-00df-4d9d-9221-6a646350cbc9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_PayablesIntercompany_cef2012d-0e15-4970-a011-17716fdd5023" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_PayablesIntercompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_PayablesIntercompany_cef2012d-0e15-4970-a011-17716fdd5023" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent_b554ae10-d7d4-469c-a041-18d0da2a7abb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesCurrent_b554ae10-d7d4-469c-a041-18d0da2a7abb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredLongTermDebt_887ec597-7a90-4d9e-a2d9-aed1a00ba04e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnsecuredLongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnsecuredLongTermDebt_887ec597-7a90-4d9e-a2d9-aed1a00ba04e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent_e58a2f94-aba3-4a39-b0e6-436629e29ee8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherSundryLiabilitiesNoncurrent_e58a2f94-aba3-4a39-b0e6-436629e29ee8" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_820325a2-2a72-4936-9415-91e39e9db931" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_820325a2-2a72-4936-9415-91e39e9db931" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_d7d627e4-2e20-4b34-b29e-73f04dc8e06f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MinorityInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_d7d627e4-2e20-4b34-b29e-73f04dc8e06f" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_3b5f50a8-f1f4-4f0f-ba28-81c37af9cd92" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_3b5f50a8-f1f4-4f0f-ba28-81c37af9cd92" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_57268d1e-d9c4-4664-b652-15a47768eba3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementsCaptionsLineItems_939010ec-247e-4d45-89d3-15410615c12b" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_57268d1e-d9c4-4664-b652-15a47768eba3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_57268d1e-d9c4-4664-b652-15a47768eba3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9258e871-9e76-433d-b8bc-a5bb211347b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_bfa1de4f-52b4-4f9a-a452-5225b6afc318" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9258e871-9e76-433d-b8bc-a5bb211347b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_4c833d4a-a918-47a2-a277-38091328a00a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9258e871-9e76-433d-b8bc-a5bb211347b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_4c833d4a-a918-47a2-a277-38091328a00a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_32cc19d4-5a05-452d-ab9a-e8ab49acb3d6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9258e871-9e76-433d-b8bc-a5bb211347b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_32cc19d4-5a05-452d-ab9a-e8ab49acb3d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_607eb939-1b02-4a36-bc40-8c8b660b829d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_9258e871-9e76-433d-b8bc-a5bb211347b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_607eb939-1b02-4a36-bc40-8c8b660b829d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedBalanceSheetStatementTable_57268d1e-d9c4-4664-b652-15a47768eba3" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_49947d67-d737-4f1c-9875-70af2bd2408e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_4b8757f2-3ff2-4ade-bc29-e463d403fc76" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_49947d67-d737-4f1c-9875-70af2bd2408e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_fd954009-2160-415a-a1fc-e212be21d1e7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_49947d67-d737-4f1c-9875-70af2bd2408e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_fd954009-2160-415a-a1fc-e212be21d1e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_6348648f-ef55-4bec-a94a-36e593dc2f85" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_49947d67-d737-4f1c-9875-70af2bd2408e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_6348648f-ef55-4bec-a94a-36e593dc2f85" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedIncomeStatementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedIncomeStatementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ic1b88b0f359740738741d009baa841dc_SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedIncomeStatementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_74d2739c-7e44-4520-bbac-6ae3a8c589a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_74d2739c-7e44-4520-bbac-6ae3a8c589a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_ea52a81a-be52-4755-a3d9-57cc95bc42c5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_ea52a81a-be52-4755-a3d9-57cc95bc42c5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_82d3ab83-bc02-4568-ade2-64cca02cbb5f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_82d3ab83-bc02-4568-ade2-64cca02cbb5f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_dce6cc90-e3fd-4574-a9b2-e4a3549951f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSalesOfAssetsAndAssetImpairmentCharges_dce6cc90-e3fd-4574-a9b2-e4a3549951f8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_66489547-0e12-474d-aad5-48c21b594e0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpense_66489547-0e12-474d-aad5-48c21b594e0b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_mtdr_OtherIncomeExpense_0bea6cb3-69d4-412d-a70f-562055df0dcf" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#mtdr_OtherIncomeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_mtdr_OtherIncomeExpense_0bea6cb3-69d4-412d-a70f-562055df0dcf" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesBeforeTax_2b0aa1b4-4b44-4bc9-ba4e-805bddfaf063" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesBeforeTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromSubsidiariesBeforeTax_2b0aa1b4-4b44-4bc9-ba4e-805bddfaf063" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_5f0cc0c8-2305-4886-a503-ed9e3d1c74e8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments_5f0cc0c8-2305-4886-a503-ed9e3d1c74e8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_ea00525b-be22-4101-b199-1218dc55185e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_ea00525b-be22-4101-b199-1218dc55185e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_8811bdfc-5d3f-4a9e-b498-437707fbb2c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLossAttributableToNoncontrollingInterest_8811bdfc-5d3f-4a9e-b498-437707fbb2c7" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7d922b07-9731-46d7-af94-ab60fe7b373a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_7d922b07-9731-46d7-af94-ab60fe7b373a" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_4dcfc785-280f-48f4-9fe5-b9a859c0740a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementsCaptionsLineItems_d6c9c313-4320-4303-b19c-6fc0814ed993" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_4dcfc785-280f-48f4-9fe5-b9a859c0740a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_4dcfc785-280f-48f4-9fe5-b9a859c0740a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_907c2ac5-7e87-4f2b-9f0d-25ab03fd500c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_4727733e-12c1-4837-aeb7-adb78409892b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_907c2ac5-7e87-4f2b-9f0d-25ab03fd500c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_bcc93088-01b4-493c-a167-01d36513e561" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_907c2ac5-7e87-4f2b-9f0d-25ab03fd500c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_bcc93088-01b4-493c-a167-01d36513e561" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_55c50b1a-4c6c-41ae-bf4c-1afabf288921" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_907c2ac5-7e87-4f2b-9f0d-25ab03fd500c" xlink:to="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_55c50b1a-4c6c-41ae-bf4c-1afabf288921" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_476a611f-3d95-465e-82dc-668a7ad06644" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_907c2ac5-7e87-4f2b-9f0d-25ab03fd500c" xlink:to="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_476a611f-3d95-465e-82dc-668a7ad06644" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedIncomeStatementTable_4dcfc785-280f-48f4-9fe5-b9a859c0740a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87babd56-78e0-4371-83c3-2ff97ddfd87e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_fbb85ab0-f0f6-43c3-9b4a-a8bd3925de67" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87babd56-78e0-4371-83c3-2ff97ddfd87e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_4311e126-c026-4be3-95a3-6ed8a5046823" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87babd56-78e0-4371-83c3-2ff97ddfd87e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_4311e126-c026-4be3-95a3-6ed8a5046823" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_29a37891-f496-4956-ac66-70c7094f671d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_87babd56-78e0-4371-83c3-2ff97ddfd87e" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_29a37891-f496-4956-ac66-70c7094f671d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedCashFlowDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="mtdr-20200930.xsd#SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedCashFlowDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.matadorresources.com/role/SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedCashFlowDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ifbba078a0a7b4a2580217a088f15bcfc_SubsidiaryGuarantorsConsolidatedCashFlowDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_9e6756fb-6650-4794-b04d-d81609aee2e1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_9e6756fb-6650-4794-b04d-d81609aee2e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_477cad34-3359-41c4-ae99-642e8538f55a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities_477cad34-3359-41c4-ae99-642e8538f55a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_4873568c-5fe1-4ca3-a41d-c378dbd1bf6d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_4873568c-5fe1-4ca3-a41d-c378dbd1bf6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_bfa1a0be-2c45-4993-a1b5-bc1f364810f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseExcludingExchangeRateEffect_bfa1a0be-2c45-4993-a1b5-bc1f364810f6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_a61fc39c-4a8c-496f-9565-91168d140e67" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_a61fc39c-4a8c-496f-9565-91168d140e67" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_24cb41d5-fa31-4819-82e4-c595c475a5e3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cf7693f1-b578-4308-b643-941045a654b4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementsCaptionsLineItems_5da80a27-1078-4795-8175-23404e1fbeb7" xlink:to="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cf7693f1-b578-4308-b643-941045a654b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cf7693f1-b578-4308-b643-941045a654b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_98f780c9-1e1e-4270-9335-9395714b2b30" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesAxis_813f2ee2-015b-4277-81e2-3419955a29ec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_98f780c9-1e1e-4270-9335-9395714b2b30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_0517a7d8-f214-4705-b3f7-286c0083fb7f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ParentCompanyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_98f780c9-1e1e-4270-9335-9395714b2b30" xlink:to="loc_srt_ParentCompanyMember_0517a7d8-f214-4705-b3f7-286c0083fb7f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_ed7c5993-9bb2-446d-b482-6ca2b8fe2639" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_98f780c9-1e1e-4270-9335-9395714b2b30" xlink:to="loc_srt_NonGuarantorSubsidiariesMember_ed7c5993-9bb2-446d-b482-6ca2b8fe2639" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_a7da6ff6-93f8-41fc-a0bb-253d5ed7c7fe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidatedEntitiesDomain_98f780c9-1e1e-4270-9335-9395714b2b30" xlink:to="loc_srt_GuarantorSubsidiariesMember_a7da6ff6-93f8-41fc-a0bb-253d5ed7c7fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_CondensedCashFlowStatementTable_cf7693f1-b578-4308-b643-941045a654b4" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ee7772af-ab8b-4103-a96b-80421b8a83de" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_a44e1571-5ac5-43bc-9a06-e2c2d720a76d" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ee7772af-ab8b-4103-a96b-80421b8a83de" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_89820340-d754-450d-81bf-5c9917a27ca4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ee7772af-ab8b-4103-a96b-80421b8a83de" xlink:to="loc_srt_ReportableLegalEntitiesMember_89820340-d754-450d-81bf-5c9917a27ca4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_9f13d3e4-1e4e-4264-8ad6-3142a0e99175" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_ee7772af-ab8b-4103-a96b-80421b8a83de" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationEliminationsMember_9f13d3e4-1e4e-4264-8ad6-3142a0e99175" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
