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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2024 Workiva-->
<!--r:b28bd81b-7827-406b-a2e0-d76f944250c8,g:f5e5a66c-705c-4b05-98d6-5dee86dab28d-->
<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.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5860952e-877e-4a82-b5c4-8eb849297986" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0c0fac68-37c8-46dc-908c-af025d67908c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5860952e-877e-4a82-b5c4-8eb849297986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0c0fac68-37c8-46dc-908c-af025d67908c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0c0fac68-37c8-46dc-908c-af025d67908c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_224f5088-3827-4a3d-87b5-5f061b6d4e95" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_aa5863a5-7298-41de-883a-48180a8125f7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_aa5863a5-7298-41de-883a-48180a8125f7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_56ad767f-c9c2-45d8-9298-caf5bd09bfbe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_56ad767f-c9c2-45d8-9298-caf5bd09bfbe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_18cf9ece-53b4-4553-ba16-ea0e5281dfbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_18cf9ece-53b4-4553-ba16-ea0e5281dfbd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ffe6ed8e-e613-4260-bfa8-7b14eaa7a3a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_0d0f4667-9d9c-4783-8d08-41efdaed54ef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_ffe6ed8e-e613-4260-bfa8-7b14eaa7a3a9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_5860952e-877e-4a82-b5c4-8eb849297986" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_9797ae8e-aa54-474e-92a1-6c07989bd994" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_9797ae8e-aa54-474e-92a1-6c07989bd994" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3d4b0630-119f-4a7b-af48-c41540856acd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_3d4b0630-119f-4a7b-af48-c41540856acd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_91da99b2-ff99-4a74-8658-57a9e7dfb942" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_91da99b2-ff99-4a74-8658-57a9e7dfb942" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_3a84473f-7960-460e-881a-b751971a25ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_3a84473f-7960-460e-881a-b751971a25ad" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c9045068-56c9-4cac-a8e0-c441994863ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_c9045068-56c9-4cac-a8e0-c441994863ae" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_1beeea62-4eed-4147-b1f1-598a5a162874" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_1beeea62-4eed-4147-b1f1-598a5a162874" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1f9a6dc8-ef4a-45d8-b6d3-177986cd0bde" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1f9a6dc8-ef4a-45d8-b6d3-177986cd0bde" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax_9ba53a90-bd15-4aff-af5e-4ef32f4f1aa1" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax_9ba53a90-bd15-4aff-af5e-4ef32f4f1aa1" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_964d38d3-74d4-42c2-bc6d-8d7bf07d9717" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_964d38d3-74d4-42c2-bc6d-8d7bf07d9717" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_886e6c16-c9a8-4a7b-80d4-62e7a37db794" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_07d74a30-7fcc-4e06-bc9d-88d999987ddf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_886e6c16-c9a8-4a7b-80d4-62e7a37db794" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_f4b3d233-eaa9-4fd5-bd76-f75fb47e2962" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_ee704ca2-a6ec-4f3f-94d5-e385ac5f4b8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_0853f126-f169-47d1-9b3c-7f4038f323e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_0853f126-f169-47d1-9b3c-7f4038f323e3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_0853f126-f169-47d1-9b3c-7f4038f323e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_9d1bf570-0de6-4572-89b9-beed1b8ff19f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_22391cd8-304a-4389-afde-0246bc9247b3" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_9d1bf570-0de6-4572-89b9-beed1b8ff19f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_329adf0c-fb86-4349-a26c-8f7cce369ff5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9d1bf570-0de6-4572-89b9-beed1b8ff19f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_329adf0c-fb86-4349-a26c-8f7cce369ff5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_0f9591eb-bf3f-408a-acc6-a6af6bc5ef9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_9d1bf570-0de6-4572-89b9-beed1b8ff19f" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_0f9591eb-bf3f-408a-acc6-a6af6bc5ef9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MajorCustomersAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_0853f126-f169-47d1-9b3c-7f4038f323e3" xlink:to="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_138298b1-1dd5-49db-a7c9-b53e5278eda6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_MajorCustomersAxis_01d41af3-8581-4519-a6d0-6ea1dc528c50" xlink:to="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_138298b1-1dd5-49db-a7c9-b53e5278eda6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ManagedServiceProgramsMSPCustomerMember_04ae8c92-68e3-4f4a-92e9-9941ef56c5ea" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ManagedServiceProgramsMSPCustomerMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_NameOfMajorCustomerDomain_138298b1-1dd5-49db-a7c9-b53e5278eda6" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ManagedServiceProgramsMSPCustomerMember_04ae8c92-68e3-4f4a-92e9-9941ef56c5ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_094e57e0-fd3b-40e5-bd93-04cdd8736c77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_094e57e0-fd3b-40e5-bd93-04cdd8736c77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments_1d205d8e-f589-43fa-8fd8-c2b304cf0a14" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments_1d205d8e-f589-43fa-8fd8-c2b304cf0a14" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided_b20e252c-f524-4607-9bb0-fc20aab5e558" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided_b20e252c-f524-4607-9bb0-fc20aab5e558" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_c17e046a-a976-431b-82ea-f8292da8b22c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_669cbeac-f6a6-4313-8898-cf136fc1464f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForDoubtfulAccounts_c17e046a-a976-431b-82ea-f8292da8b22c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_11702dbb-7a53-4b86-a4d6-b6876858085f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_f4892eb2-9e2c-45c1-9597-eda534231628" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_11702dbb-7a53-4b86-a4d6-b6876858085f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_f4892eb2-9e2c-45c1-9597-eda534231628" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_f4892eb2-9e2c-45c1-9597-eda534231628" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_af7bdccb-0095-40eb-99fc-8015633423e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c62eba8d-6c09-4112-8f9c-93df4be209d5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_af7bdccb-0095-40eb-99fc-8015633423e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_b96053bf-e2b0-4a77-9930-d64fceaf2440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_af7bdccb-0095-40eb-99fc-8015633423e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_b96053bf-e2b0-4a77-9930-d64fceaf2440" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ExitCostsMember_8401ba6c-699f-4d72-92d2-2de6efcef59b" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ExitCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_af7bdccb-0095-40eb-99fc-8015633423e9" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ExitCostsMember_8401ba6c-699f-4d72-92d2-2de6efcef59b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_41373f38-61ae-4d4e-8e3f-71cba38ffd80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_11702dbb-7a53-4b86-a4d6-b6876858085f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_41373f38-61ae-4d4e-8e3f-71cba38ffd80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_a83a377f-7cd4-4b61-8950-b21a2521483a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_41373f38-61ae-4d4e-8e3f-71cba38ffd80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_a83a377f-7cd4-4b61-8950-b21a2521483a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_cb96753c-d320-466a-8275-9a77a894dee0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_41373f38-61ae-4d4e-8e3f-71cba38ffd80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_cb96753c-d320-466a-8275-9a77a894dee0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_fe9058ce-8d32-4dba-aba6-af97a25c92d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_41373f38-61ae-4d4e-8e3f-71cba38ffd80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_fe9058ce-8d32-4dba-aba6-af97a25c92d0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_62033203-be0f-435b-80b1-91a37feca5b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f3bfc349-262f-4a26-afb8-174756ec7c78" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_975c294f-5246-4a6d-a71e-bc9fd1dd0912" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f3bfc349-262f-4a26-afb8-174756ec7c78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_975c294f-5246-4a6d-a71e-bc9fd1dd0912" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_975c294f-5246-4a6d-a71e-bc9fd1dd0912" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_37a8915c-4f7f-4479-962c-3d4f407e659c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_e88d08e8-d372-411b-b941-8d4fe128c17b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_37a8915c-4f7f-4479-962c-3d4f407e659c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_6c4a1047-0300-46dd-9ae9-52ab5917f100" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_37a8915c-4f7f-4479-962c-3d4f407e659c" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_6c4a1047-0300-46dd-9ae9-52ab5917f100" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_dac5fa5b-57b4-46bf-9c2b-95d53ff656d2" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_37a8915c-4f7f-4479-962c-3d4f407e659c" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_dac5fa5b-57b4-46bf-9c2b-95d53ff656d2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_975c294f-5246-4a6d-a71e-bc9fd1dd0912" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c54dcd6f-a7cd-410b-91da-fbedf6a3366b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_441d6ab1-4d20-48a3-bbab-bca2cf1ebed1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c54dcd6f-a7cd-410b-91da-fbedf6a3366b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember_ddfd75ea-8566-4bee-b3dd-8dd644316988" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c54dcd6f-a7cd-410b-91da-fbedf6a3366b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember_ddfd75ea-8566-4bee-b3dd-8dd644316988" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OtherServicesMember_89174679-d6c9-4426-8b00-c767c42bf39a" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_OtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_c54dcd6f-a7cd-410b-91da-fbedf6a3366b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OtherServicesMember_89174679-d6c9-4426-8b00-c767c42bf39a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d4ee2909-ec8f-4908-8cab-3c6810ae838b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f3bfc349-262f-4a26-afb8-174756ec7c78" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_d4ee2909-ec8f-4908-8cab-3c6810ae838b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/ACQUISITIONSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ACQUISITIONSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/ACQUISITIONSDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_f2cf9de3-a2c1-4226-a17d-9b647c1e8b81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_f2cf9de3-a2c1-4226-a17d-9b647c1e8b81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_f2cf9de3-a2c1-4226-a17d-9b647c1e8b81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b769d36d-fb09-433f-90cb-87397d7d9e26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_9ada3763-cb48-43c5-82c7-abdd8e1f328b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b769d36d-fb09-433f-90cb-87397d7d9e26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_42575243-1e7a-4d16-a765-00b28c2d4308" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b769d36d-fb09-433f-90cb-87397d7d9e26" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_42575243-1e7a-4d16-a765-00b28c2d4308" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_66e27e16-a433-4952-85c4-cb5dfd8f3329" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b769d36d-fb09-433f-90cb-87397d7d9e26" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_66e27e16-a433-4952-85c4-cb5dfd8f3329" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_3cb739a3-38a0-4090-829f-57a1a916ebe3" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b769d36d-fb09-433f-90cb-87397d7d9e26" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_3cb739a3-38a0-4090-829f-57a1a916ebe3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_848be6ef-fb89-4ef9-aedf-a5a5850835ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_848be6ef-fb89-4ef9-aedf-a5a5850835ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_c417e008-319d-4afa-98c2-18349b61ce12" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_c417e008-319d-4afa-98c2-18349b61ce12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_b6937bb8-dbaf-414f-b488-5f66833000f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_b6937bb8-dbaf-414f-b488-5f66833000f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_bdc9da1b-b023-4704-8018-8087cc96752a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_bdc9da1b-b023-4704-8018-8087cc96752a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_966eb0df-ac50-4607-a929-e29ab3390592" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_966eb0df-ac50-4607-a929-e29ab3390592" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_54170971-19c3-449a-a6d1-ae2c2a8ce82b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_54170971-19c3-449a-a6d1-ae2c2a8ce82b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm_a2776e25-7193-46c5-ad5d-04c2827e79c9" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_b9cd89b0-7aa4-4d27-af7a-a5fb6d1f58d4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm_a2776e25-7193-46c5-ad5d-04c2827e79c9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ad6aa80c-c924-4e4c-a862-e9e19f8af143" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_604d57ab-f24a-47f6-bc6c-b2d75954e195" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ad6aa80c-c924-4e4c-a862-e9e19f8af143" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_604d57ab-f24a-47f6-bc6c-b2d75954e195" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_604d57ab-f24a-47f6-bc6c-b2d75954e195" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_0bd49440-862f-49a9-8232-6a2208b3ba57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_45bf3499-a187-4022-9878-721852203d07" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_0bd49440-862f-49a9-8232-6a2208b3ba57" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember_cf23eefd-3699-4068-86bc-c8568676a4cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_0bd49440-862f-49a9-8232-6a2208b3ba57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember_cf23eefd-3699-4068-86bc-c8568676a4cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_ddc27503-22fa-4dac-a6df-82cefe5e24ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_ad6aa80c-c924-4e4c-a862-e9e19f8af143" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_ddc27503-22fa-4dac-a6df-82cefe5e24ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68571e67-3b1f-49e2-9611-27b7a53306a0" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_9e98b602-35aa-4483-a9e2-0d07cb127f63" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68571e67-3b1f-49e2-9611-27b7a53306a0" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_9e98b602-35aa-4483-a9e2-0d07cb127f63" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_9e98b602-35aa-4483-a9e2-0d07cb127f63" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_57a7a3ee-1b36-4cb5-9772-d68bd644ea02" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_0bdbd3f2-4342-42f5-b8ce-487b8c5957ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DatabasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_0bdbd3f2-4342-42f5-b8ce-487b8c5957ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1a834969-f7eb-4f4d-969b-e927ad2f2f30" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_1a834969-f7eb-4f4d-969b-e927ad2f2f30" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_a2113664-71d3-42dd-ae99-134a5eac711d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_a2113664-71d3-42dd-ae99-134a5eac711d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_ab335018-6d61-4edb-861d-dc00261753b7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_bc8fe410-ed45-45c5-9b59-70b23c04bc2c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_ab335018-6d61-4edb-861d-dc00261753b7" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_3aa2e6db-ca57-4956-b99a-1bc7eda21170" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68571e67-3b1f-49e2-9611-27b7a53306a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_3aa2e6db-ca57-4956-b99a-1bc7eda21170" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_70b4afb9-e92f-4745-8580-87ec9755b256" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_3aa2e6db-ca57-4956-b99a-1bc7eda21170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_70b4afb9-e92f-4745-8580-87ec9755b256" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_5b6f2b53-bc39-4506-8140-730355fc99e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_3aa2e6db-ca57-4956-b99a-1bc7eda21170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_5b6f2b53-bc39-4506-8140-730355fc99e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_f794cf23-960a-4d8c-b5cf-b13ac4e17f36" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_3aa2e6db-ca57-4956-b99a-1bc7eda21170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_f794cf23-960a-4d8c-b5cf-b13ac4e17f36" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_5d4b6968-5aec-40d9-9311-21a53f6241bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_68571e67-3b1f-49e2-9611-27b7a53306a0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_5d4b6968-5aec-40d9-9311-21a53f6241bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_4586a19f-7027-4a2b-adf7-c6f2165ec8b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_5d4b6968-5aec-40d9-9311-21a53f6241bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_4586a19f-7027-4a2b-adf7-c6f2165ec8b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_b9df4dbe-58f2-4f53-a007-2dd343268057" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_0969622f-9b42-4ba5-8a73-f37c48e2362c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_b9df4dbe-58f2-4f53-a007-2dd343268057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_0969622f-9b42-4ba5-8a73-f37c48e2362c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_0969622f-9b42-4ba5-8a73-f37c48e2362c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd2d1d46-9476-42ab-af5b-6ea607db8697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_6720f6a4-dcc3-4bd2-af58-ecc447ceebcf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd2d1d46-9476-42ab-af5b-6ea607db8697" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_f16e8421-c85d-49ac-be26-1bc4fb44917f" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd2d1d46-9476-42ab-af5b-6ea607db8697" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_f16e8421-c85d-49ac-be26-1bc4fb44917f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_08098c5a-8a97-4d0c-978d-ade62cb54eed" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_dd2d1d46-9476-42ab-af5b-6ea607db8697" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_08098c5a-8a97-4d0c-978d-ade62cb54eed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_e56d9833-3be1-40bd-b50e-345e3252418c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_b9df4dbe-58f2-4f53-a007-2dd343268057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_e56d9833-3be1-40bd-b50e-345e3252418c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#DEBTLongtermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7af2b77f-a827-4894-96ed-1ad203edf65e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_93f2292e-01e5-414c-9cc0-a8f27d33fccf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7af2b77f-a827-4894-96ed-1ad203edf65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_93f2292e-01e5-414c-9cc0-a8f27d33fccf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_93f2292e-01e5-414c-9cc0-a8f27d33fccf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fbe0b084-d935-4ca2-a1ce-ed64f99fc7fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_bb51dfcd-33e8-4f2c-8481-cba5de96892f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fbe0b084-d935-4ca2-a1ce-ed64f99fc7fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_2b2cde67-bc4d-45b7-b934-4ad08025e5ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_fbe0b084-d935-4ca2-a1ce-ed64f99fc7fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_2b2cde67-bc4d-45b7-b934-4ad08025e5ea" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_93f2292e-01e5-414c-9cc0-a8f27d33fccf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e77fa29e-f0bb-40f5-8c3d-6d06c3b04957" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_30a172f9-f731-4445-af78-7ed77a99c2f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e77fa29e-f0bb-40f5-8c3d-6d06c3b04957" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e61eaf71-61ac-4c35-8b89-81997b0fea80" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_e77fa29e-f0bb-40f5-8c3d-6d06c3b04957" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e61eaf71-61ac-4c35-8b89-81997b0fea80" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_4f1157fc-7044-481f-a4e1-dcd23b111bbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7af2b77f-a827-4894-96ed-1ad203edf65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_4f1157fc-7044-481f-a4e1-dcd23b111bbc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_e7379b34-0b28-4026-8ed6-3c563836d00d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7af2b77f-a827-4894-96ed-1ad203edf65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_e7379b34-0b28-4026-8ed6-3c563836d00d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_feee94ec-466a-45e3-b64d-9cd2af22833d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_7af2b77f-a827-4894-96ed-1ad203edf65e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_feee94ec-466a-45e3-b64d-9cd2af22833d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fc68ead3-893a-47f5-b276-eed8be46d6c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fc68ead3-893a-47f5-b276-eed8be46d6c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fc68ead3-893a-47f5-b276-eed8be46d6c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a9e7c0e1-e044-4424-93a9-508dcebedc75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d99aa21c-8b3d-4fd4-b904-2130a608ed98" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a9e7c0e1-e044-4424-93a9-508dcebedc75" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_a92a1bfd-ef9b-49e4-9590-1103f8094dc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_a9e7c0e1-e044-4424-93a9-508dcebedc75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_a92a1bfd-ef9b-49e4-9590-1103f8094dc8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_fc68ead3-893a-47f5-b276-eed8be46d6c8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9cc93e2e-caf9-4646-995f-7b0e88e8495f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_bd17211f-6a97-46fe-ac0c-737f60eeaae9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9cc93e2e-caf9-4646-995f-7b0e88e8495f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f8ee5da-e404-4fce-9abf-5dbbc9369af8" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9cc93e2e-caf9-4646-995f-7b0e88e8495f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f8ee5da-e404-4fce-9abf-5dbbc9369af8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember_3a9da463-4315-4e79-9d23-cde8766b12b4" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f8ee5da-e404-4fce-9abf-5dbbc9369af8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember_3a9da463-4315-4e79-9d23-cde8766b12b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember_a3f0a781-7eac-4152-ac1c-d9a0c288d459" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f8ee5da-e404-4fce-9abf-5dbbc9369af8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember_a3f0a781-7eac-4152-ac1c-d9a0c288d459" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_a199a496-6df2-412f-b6dc-4a689a9257df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_a199a496-6df2-412f-b6dc-4a689a9257df" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_13d09b23-d550-4466-902c-95e518b9de60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_13d09b23-d550-4466-902c-95e518b9de60" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_52152ac0-c48b-4468-9521-ad576941294c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_52152ac0-c48b-4468-9521-ad576941294c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_9bbdb381-c98c-416b-a710-2ae4d83d90e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_9bbdb381-c98c-416b-a710-2ae4d83d90e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_5701596c-6308-44ba-8bfa-2360550d46ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_81a4ee30-4174-4fec-8e5b-72ca6e83452a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_5701596c-6308-44ba-8bfa-2360550d46ff" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9393ed14-1112-44dd-965e-dbcd4ec7c0fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9393ed14-1112-44dd-965e-dbcd4ec7c0fb" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9393ed14-1112-44dd-965e-dbcd4ec7c0fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_87c557cf-75c7-4968-8611-bfbd45f92d25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_4b0f015c-7c51-43bc-9438-0bb9afd8eff8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_87c557cf-75c7-4968-8611-bfbd45f92d25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e75f347c-638f-4661-833a-71287fc3dfec" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_87c557cf-75c7-4968-8611-bfbd45f92d25" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e75f347c-638f-4661-833a-71287fc3dfec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9393ed14-1112-44dd-965e-dbcd4ec7c0fb" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6_default" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_204a977d-e3f9-4d96-a3f5-2f00355fbd35" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_55334d09-8030-4dae-a514-a95e9ddb18a6" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_204a977d-e3f9-4d96-a3f5-2f00355fbd35" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember_e5929e4e-340a-4cd7-b97b-aad73c234d7e" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_204a977d-e3f9-4d96-a3f5-2f00355fbd35" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember_e5929e4e-340a-4cd7-b97b-aad73c234d7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember_1a5b890a-e610-4cfc-bdb8-3ed3eab72247" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_204a977d-e3f9-4d96-a3f5-2f00355fbd35" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember_1a5b890a-e610-4cfc-bdb8-3ed3eab72247" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_9393ed14-1112-44dd-965e-dbcd4ec7c0fb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_731db212-5c43-4473-a23c-995c4093d24d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_98930fe5-40f5-4370-bae2-fbabed0505c9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_731db212-5c43-4473-a23c-995c4093d24d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_c6c96c51-97a6-49d2-8d47-c9c8dd4bd21a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_731db212-5c43-4473-a23c-995c4093d24d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_c6c96c51-97a6-49d2-8d47-c9c8dd4bd21a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_9974ea47-7291-4a0e-b9dc-d5648414bd7d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_731db212-5c43-4473-a23c-995c4093d24d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_9974ea47-7291-4a0e-b9dc-d5648414bd7d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_61d036c8-b8a8-42cd-af7c-84889e2322a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_61d036c8-b8a8-42cd-af7c-84889e2322a6" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_d9580709-2424-4197-ad14-2b6b24d1e41b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_d9580709-2424-4197-ad14-2b6b24d1e41b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources_99b722bc-aaff-4bf2-b1ae-97c673167dca" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources_99b722bc-aaff-4bf2-b1ae-97c673167dca" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_1d74922e-ffd5-4699-a726-9d801887faf5" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_1d74922e-ffd5-4699-a726-9d801887faf5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAccountsReceivable_a8f1d0dc-c9bc-42a7-9fba-c7602f9daf57" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAccountsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAccountsReceivable_a8f1d0dc-c9bc-42a7-9fba-c7602f9daf57" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability_0c423878-0c5d-4586-aee1-cefa30d7847c" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability_0c423878-0c5d-4586-aee1-cefa30d7847c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_298de39c-3a47-4776-8a0f-eadcc1a176b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_298de39c-3a47-4776-8a0f-eadcc1a176b9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_3117bba9-e383-434e-b621-bafbed386815" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_3117bba9-e383-434e-b621-bafbed386815" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_c3ab205b-1b0a-4a75-bf4d-587a3c3ae303" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_c3ab205b-1b0a-4a75-bf4d-587a3c3ae303" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_3d09276d-21be-4c23-b4f8-d0046bf78f7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_3d09276d-21be-4c23-b4f8-d0046bf78f7e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_b6168452-8081-4113-a4af-5e2394c2b79c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_f5a4e59d-0eb7-4ba1-8428-d29f6f2b8db1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_b6168452-8081-4113-a4af-5e2394c2b79c" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_75573aca-31b8-432c-bed5-323f1658c82b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f6461853-a52b-4ca2-a493-731960c959e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_75573aca-31b8-432c-bed5-323f1658c82b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f6461853-a52b-4ca2-a493-731960c959e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f6461853-a52b-4ca2-a493-731960c959e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_71602618-8552-4630-8e87-c04a8b37a3af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_05235f4b-1b14-4481-a2ae-6710610c34db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_71602618-8552-4630-8e87-c04a8b37a3af" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_12612186-6401-4d34-a5b6-42d1cf126059" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_71602618-8552-4630-8e87-c04a8b37a3af" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_12612186-6401-4d34-a5b6-42d1cf126059" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f6461853-a52b-4ca2-a493-731960c959e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_4c466e01-b598-41ad-8dea-6355b98664e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_c60d1e33-6c1e-4368-9114-8b29c044a643" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_4c466e01-b598-41ad-8dea-6355b98664e7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_2ec0ab8b-8a29-4163-9671-63310a85c096" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_4c466e01-b598-41ad-8dea-6355b98664e7" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_2ec0ab8b-8a29-4163-9671-63310a85c096" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_f6461853-a52b-4ca2-a493-731960c959e6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c7189887-67e6-483c-94fb-bb12e8869eed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_e7add38e-2290-4522-b811-ae2cb8dc9630" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c7189887-67e6-483c-94fb-bb12e8869eed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_1065fbca-e068-4a12-8632-7f55dbab74fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_c7189887-67e6-483c-94fb-bb12e8869eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_1065fbca-e068-4a12-8632-7f55dbab74fb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_7298125c-3c28-4978-a78c-04000de5c745" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_75573aca-31b8-432c-bed5-323f1658c82b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_7298125c-3c28-4978-a78c-04000de5c745" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations_82f6e5e3-f784-4d26-8d7e-b6d2bd126f07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_75573aca-31b8-432c-bed5-323f1658c82b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations_82f6e5e3-f784-4d26-8d7e-b6d2bd126f07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_32d38fe8-b08d-4629-a8d4-b25959aafbf6" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_1eecd83c-b55e-4f12-961d-b6cfb990dd5f" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_32d38fe8-b08d-4629-a8d4-b25959aafbf6" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_1eecd83c-b55e-4f12-961d-b6cfb990dd5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_1eecd83c-b55e-4f12-961d-b6cfb990dd5f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1083fb90-58c4-4424-9e0d-8a4e7956b459" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_0d17fb73-9007-47db-8b75-80d3a01c9135" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1083fb90-58c4-4424-9e0d-8a4e7956b459" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_edb57efc-5317-4204-a65e-b55e11a93445" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1083fb90-58c4-4424-9e0d-8a4e7956b459" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_edb57efc-5317-4204-a65e-b55e11a93445" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_34c17fee-c1d7-4b47-98c2-48e98742e1ec" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_1083fb90-58c4-4424-9e0d-8a4e7956b459" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_34c17fee-c1d7-4b47-98c2-48e98742e1ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_796a2578-67cf-48e3-a302-98d12d588f77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_32d38fe8-b08d-4629-a8d4-b25959aafbf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_796a2578-67cf-48e3-a302-98d12d588f77" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_13dcdd95-4115-49ea-9a18-f5c8a9828b9d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_32d38fe8-b08d-4629-a8d4-b25959aafbf6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_13dcdd95-4115-49ea-9a18-f5c8a9828b9d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_339e39b3-0032-4a2a-ad18-bc05c07dfdff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_0b9b0afa-6f61-4f49-9941-f23dd9c2a113" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_339e39b3-0032-4a2a-ad18-bc05c07dfdff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RepurchaseProgramMember_c5f582a4-3fcd-44fd-bbd3-09736656a141" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_RepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_339e39b3-0032-4a2a-ad18-bc05c07dfdff" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_RepurchaseProgramMember_c5f582a4-3fcd-44fd-bbd3-09736656a141" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_943cb6c6-78db-4303-86ec-978f9cc00309" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_d6fe69cd-81b4-4e74-9cef-707932c6d944" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_943cb6c6-78db-4303-86ec-978f9cc00309" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_7f30815d-61dd-41ad-8586-3c069558ddc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_943cb6c6-78db-4303-86ec-978f9cc00309" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_7f30815d-61dd-41ad-8586-3c069558ddc5" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19f1ef5f-3af2-48fd-9828-c96ff231f5da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_48fc4b14-31c1-448c-9c58-6f555688e462" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19f1ef5f-3af2-48fd-9828-c96ff231f5da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_0161c8df-48f9-4913-8e42-78825186f8b0" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_19f1ef5f-3af2-48fd-9828-c96ff231f5da" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_0161c8df-48f9-4913-8e42-78825186f8b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_da14706e-a790-40e7-a781-08caba79053b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_0161c8df-48f9-4913-8e42-78825186f8b0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_da14706e-a790-40e7-a781-08caba79053b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6c413ac4-e375-4da0-8933-bcda399aff6f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_a5267b1b-ec9a-4e43-bd26-8dd745c53683" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_30dd936f-fbd6-4bd7-a6bf-89f04deef20b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_a5267b1b-ec9a-4e43-bd26-8dd745c53683" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember_97d09c7d-3517-491c-81a6-63448da04b95" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_a5267b1b-ec9a-4e43-bd26-8dd745c53683" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember_97d09c7d-3517-491c-81a6-63448da04b95" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount_0803cfda-82b7-4b4f-8342-ae5b56a009ff" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount_0803cfda-82b7-4b4f-8342-ae5b56a009ff" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_0b21ef27-1775-4cfb-89f7-19e2fbee07e6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_0b21ef27-1775-4cfb-89f7-19e2fbee07e6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_902d8537-e019-44f0-a419-b231f7c6b3f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_902d8537-e019-44f0-a419-b231f7c6b3f5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_ce0e19da-3e8c-4b4e-9d41-21be11080010" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_ce0e19da-3e8c-4b4e-9d41-21be11080010" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_fdbf034e-ee29-4ccc-9b43-03d4dc76d440" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_fdbf034e-ee29-4ccc-9b43-03d4dc76d440" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_685bdb89-ecc1-4e03-89cb-f0e013064a66" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_685bdb89-ecc1-4e03-89cb-f0e013064a66" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_4a092f4a-7cd4-4a62-96df-6fdb8d388828" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_4a092f4a-7cd4-4a62-96df-6fdb8d388828" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage_47d9a0de-070e-4437-8efe-794674b165c2" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage_47d9a0de-070e-4437-8efe-794674b165c2" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6c68884e-5787-45f7-9a0a-0523e4642842" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_6c68884e-5787-45f7-9a0a-0523e4642842" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7b76b7fa-41b2-4388-88c5-6693bbfbb114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_7b76b7fa-41b2-4388-88c5-6693bbfbb114" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet_a844987f-8130-4acc-b38b-2816f476189b" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_92045ad3-f36a-40b9-bc73-88a85f96d431" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet_a844987f-8130-4acc-b38b-2816f476189b" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0222e6a7-7a7a-413f-9d56-6d5437bd9ac4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_cf432652-161f-4f5e-a73c-22dfe01bc919" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0222e6a7-7a7a-413f-9d56-6d5437bd9ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_cf432652-161f-4f5e-a73c-22dfe01bc919" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_cf432652-161f-4f5e-a73c-22dfe01bc919" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e86674df-d7bb-41e7-b9b8-49dc0e03636d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f083942f-a8cd-4547-9c81-875c089e2c79" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e86674df-d7bb-41e7-b9b8-49dc0e03636d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_341ac80a-4260-43ce-810d-81e19d87ebdf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e86674df-d7bb-41e7-b9b8-49dc0e03636d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_341ac80a-4260-43ce-810d-81e19d87ebdf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_3897799d-c98a-4443-96d9-5dd595b9907a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e86674df-d7bb-41e7-b9b8-49dc0e03636d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_3897799d-c98a-4443-96d9-5dd595b9907a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0222e6a7-7a7a-413f-9d56-6d5437bd9ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_e334b54e-4250-4bf7-befb-40863670e9f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_e334b54e-4250-4bf7-befb-40863670e9f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_26aaf3cc-743c-4679-8333-7b16a1e7893e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_26aaf3cc-743c-4679-8333-7b16a1e7893e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_bbc9976d-60c3-4126-877f-6a1dde4ad39e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_bbc9976d-60c3-4126-877f-6a1dde4ad39e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_81ab50f3-9c5e-46fa-95d4-753d820cd564" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6008a924-98c2-45e6-903d-5f7a4e58cb60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_81ab50f3-9c5e-46fa-95d4-753d820cd564" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_9b34d516-311f-4951-a5dc-35b349c170ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_0222e6a7-7a7a-413f-9d56-6d5437bd9ac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_31328061-537a-4a44-ae7c-f49200b9d764" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_31328061-537a-4a44-ae7c-f49200b9d764" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_767f3f6b-0375-4f0c-8206-6504e6272c89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_767f3f6b-0375-4f0c-8206-6504e6272c89" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_fca943cd-d4ec-4abe-b038-b099cf532993" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_fca943cd-d4ec-4abe-b038-b099cf532993" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bc899db5-604d-4424-b49b-9b109b55cda5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_6af95206-f1af-4234-b103-7ddb7c389fef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bc899db5-604d-4424-b49b-9b109b55cda5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e2e96fe9-3213-4d49-a825-f2b0507ddd93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SEGMENTDATADetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#SEGMENTDATADetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SEGMENTDATADetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_6018e525-d326-4f9a-8317-b17765dfc05d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_6018e525-d326-4f9a-8317-b17765dfc05d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_6018e525-d326-4f9a-8317-b17765dfc05d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9bbce6ef-75a7-4edc-b8b7-8e54d731e4b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_ae431cf8-5d81-42aa-a679-79848094b9a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9bbce6ef-75a7-4edc-b8b7-8e54d731e4b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_c6cfe196-14b7-4f1d-89f0-f3883c3c27d3" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9bbce6ef-75a7-4edc-b8b7-8e54d731e4b4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_c6cfe196-14b7-4f1d-89f0-f3883c3c27d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_e584bb6e-cede-4908-8ef8-c3ef62bcaaef" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9bbce6ef-75a7-4edc-b8b7-8e54d731e4b4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_e584bb6e-cede-4908-8ef8-c3ef62bcaaef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2a90c72f-c354-4923-a948-dcbea94717f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_2a90c72f-c354-4923-a948-dcbea94717f0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndAmortizationAcquisitionAndRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard_6207d4cf-77fc-4349-98ab-42785c196a13" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndAmortizationAcquisitionAndRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDepreciationAndAmortizationAcquisitionAndRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard_6207d4cf-77fc-4349-98ab-42785c196a13" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses_916510fc-6d47-4fcf-89ba-d8dc06866c2d" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses_916510fc-6d47-4fcf-89ba-d8dc06866c2d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_3ba2fe40-62d6-4a4a-afb7-1e9d99858d2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_3ba2fe40-62d6-4a4a-afb7-1e9d99858d2a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_c2c7b6a4-dbd6-4c6c-ad3a-14097ad28ab8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_c2c7b6a4-dbd6-4c6c-ad3a-14097ad28ab8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LegalAndOtherLosses_f7bef93a-6ac7-49cd-a3f5-726eb90b655e" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_LegalAndOtherLosses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LegalAndOtherLosses_f7bef93a-6ac7-49cd-a3f5-726eb90b655e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_407c8e6e-98d6-4d22-9de5-d03420134402" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_407c8e6e-98d6-4d22-9de5-d03420134402" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_02d0632f-3a42-46d7-a9e1-63267281e897" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_02d0632f-3a42-46d7-a9e1-63267281e897" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_f76e7add-3b86-4fc6-8334-ea5a5e8e020c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_39d427c0-12cb-41cc-8b0f-e5875cbeb53f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_f76e7add-3b86-4fc6-8334-ea5a5e8e020c" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUBSEQUENTEVENTDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a8b4387e-add2-4151-b405-8202e5363e57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e6adafc-d742-4e0d-a693-d8b8b1f34996" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a8b4387e-add2-4151-b405-8202e5363e57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e6adafc-d742-4e0d-a693-d8b8b1f34996" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e6adafc-d742-4e0d-a693-d8b8b1f34996" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e271ecdc-7fd3-42cd-ab88-f3b564b0b7f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_18b58612-7217-4dfb-8256-804a3a9bf22d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e271ecdc-7fd3-42cd-ab88-f3b564b0b7f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_af9e279a-afcb-4825-afd7-63da45a1a097" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain_e271ecdc-7fd3-42cd-ab88-f3b564b0b7f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_af9e279a-afcb-4825-afd7-63da45a1a097" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTable_5e6adafc-d742-4e0d-a693-d8b8b1f34996" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_590fe30f-a16a-4edc-9b51-f9b8b285ef3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_a18b4e16-8e1a-4792-a527-9cb9293653dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_590fe30f-a16a-4edc-9b51-f9b8b285ef3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e520ff52-0589-4dff-ae12-f0f5feb401f2" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_590fe30f-a16a-4edc-9b51-f9b8b285ef3c" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_e520ff52-0589-4dff-ae12-f0f5feb401f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_972bed41-b964-4630-b6cc-f9fed68c6542" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems_a8b4387e-add2-4151-b405-8202e5363e57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_972bed41-b964-4630-b6cc-f9fed68c6542" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2024/ecd-2024.xsd#AwardTypeOnly"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_229d2197-f203-4dd1-acb2-ace41456b39e" xlink:href="ccrn-20240630.xsd#ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_229d2197-f203-4dd1-acb2-ace41456b39e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
