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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2023 Workiva-->
<!--r:818c9d89-71ea-4d89-bece-3db8cac2c59d,g:3251efa5-f8a8-418e-97ae-c991a79ddf19-->
<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-20230630.xsd#CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY" xlink:type="extended" id="i6cf668d7b00448dea49ced647a1c39d0_CONDENSEDCONSOLIDATEDSTATEMENTSOFSTOCKHOLDERSEQUITY">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb39547b-2d3b-4e75-bedf-18ff7c0db97e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb39547b-2d3b-4e75-bedf-18ff7c0db97e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_4afe9a65-dfb6-40f7-a220-c5e772dffeca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_4afe9a65-dfb6-40f7-a220-c5e772dffeca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_e3056f7b-d179-442b-a1c9-5ef160ba4fc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_e3056f7b-d179-442b-a1c9-5ef160ba4fc7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_cdf2cd93-4d06-46ae-8880-c1616bb8af43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_cdf2cd93-4d06-46ae-8880-c1616bb8af43" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_863fe352-717a-4615-8a01-73fc7dc00e10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_863fe352-717a-4615-8a01-73fc7dc00e10" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_e628b17f-8877-42f6-8744-b3dd5e288781" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_e628b17f-8877-42f6-8744-b3dd5e288781" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_a9002e0b-93d1-4685-bd8b-d7f76b947d3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_a9002e0b-93d1-4685-bd8b-d7f76b947d3c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_01f1ef0b-f703-4e3d-b43f-17406ebda2bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_01f1ef0b-f703-4e3d-b43f-17406ebda2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax_4e222fe4-c002-4d05-86cf-17ab6e247318" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodExciseTax_4e222fe4-c002-4d05-86cf-17ab6e247318" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_eac0aec3-c2bf-44d6-9cc1-f072a6d257fb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTaxPortionAttributableToParent_eac0aec3-c2bf-44d6-9cc1-f072a6d257fb" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_47faf403-e8a4-48ef-82a6-c2ce18efa948" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_6532ca5e-5703-41dc-b1df-bfd9f08d5d4a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_47faf403-e8a4-48ef-82a6-c2ce18efa948" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesOutstanding_a286736b-f215-4ed6-bac7-2583c0808299" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_47d92775-4840-419b-8ed5-965f2457318b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0b47d869-a160-4015-8487-63ef83e34765" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_bb39547b-2d3b-4e75-bedf-18ff7c0db97e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0b47d869-a160-4015-8487-63ef83e34765" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_0b47d869-a160-4015-8487-63ef83e34765" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_1c8e4ab5-09b6-47f7-b60c-a4e279c08816" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_817f5871-ccdc-40d9-98ea-cb194e4e4148" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_817f5871-ccdc-40d9-98ea-cb194e4e4148" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_d3a54cce-fe07-453f-8e61-7030ba4b94d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_d3a54cce-fe07-453f-8e61-7030ba4b94d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7d921799-adf4-4e6a-bd82-1ccd5eda66f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_7d921799-adf4-4e6a-bd82-1ccd5eda66f4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_8c86edf5-3c82-4a53-ab8d-6e788b2cd519" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_c1335296-9a4a-4141-bed5-7f54c2230276" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_8c86edf5-3c82-4a53-ab8d-6e788b2cd519" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i04b2bbfc26834bf5b10de9433596233b_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fd7cdf18-47c5-4b80-9d30-f183175a20a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_d7d234e5-c947-4c06-8828-673e66f44406" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fd7cdf18-47c5-4b80-9d30-f183175a20a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnbilledContractsReceivable_d7d234e5-c947-4c06-8828-673e66f44406" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments_b6e37114-3a3f-4c29-ac29-d28986e3d759" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fd7cdf18-47c5-4b80-9d30-f183175a20a3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SalesAllowanceBillingRelatedAdjustments_b6e37114-3a3f-4c29-ac29-d28986e3d759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided_fedabbcd-e6b4-48f5-89e7-9b736b47d1d8" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fd7cdf18-47c5-4b80-9d30-f183175a20a3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ThresholdPeriodPastDueForPaymentOfServicesProvided_fedabbcd-e6b4-48f5-89e7-9b736b47d1d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_14237b05-3abe-42ff-b57b-5fcc7b285130" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableLineItems_fd7cdf18-47c5-4b80-9d30-f183175a20a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_14237b05-3abe-42ff-b57b-5fcc7b285130" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_14237b05-3abe-42ff-b57b-5fcc7b285130" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_7ffb1af3-19cf-4f19-95e6-5ac0736dda15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0a78a733-7f01-4744-a124-b69723316e04" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_7ffb1af3-19cf-4f19-95e6-5ac0736dda15" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_cb19f7e0-e143-4d63-89e0-38a68e808a49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7ffb1af3-19cf-4f19-95e6-5ac0736dda15" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_cb19f7e0-e143-4d63-89e0-38a68e808a49" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_998ddee3-f2cd-4dd2-b4d9-2197a9bf0ec2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_7ffb1af3-19cf-4f19-95e6-5ac0736dda15" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_998ddee3-f2cd-4dd2-b4d9-2197a9bf0ec2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i61b75e641e9c40a0a88fb07875fee7ee_SUMMARYOFSIGNIFICANTACCOUNTINGPOLICIESRestructuringBenefitsCostsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_f8d1fdf9-86e9-40dd-8eca-b54436a417e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3daed824-dac7-49f2-a259-b7d9ba3b68ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_f8d1fdf9-86e9-40dd-8eca-b54436a417e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3daed824-dac7-49f2-a259-b7d9ba3b68ab" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_fde982d6-ad5c-4a4a-afd0-76da2442b51f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3daed824-dac7-49f2-a259-b7d9ba3b68ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_fde982d6-ad5c-4a4a-afd0-76da2442b51f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_3813c841-3a68-477a-a3df-88fc795cbf0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3daed824-dac7-49f2-a259-b7d9ba3b68ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_3813c841-3a68-477a-a3df-88fc795cbf0f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PaymentsForRestructuringAndAdjustments_a35024f8-10d6-4409-9f63-47eaf185fefc" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PaymentsForRestructuringAndAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_3daed824-dac7-49f2-a259-b7d9ba3b68ab" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PaymentsForRestructuringAndAdjustments_a35024f8-10d6-4409-9f63-47eaf185fefc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_fb6b325b-06ba-43c1-8fc7-88bfc42dd6cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_d1f27f8a-b80d-4981-a585-21ba0f7e4057" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_f8d1fdf9-86e9-40dd-8eca-b54436a417e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_d1f27f8a-b80d-4981-a585-21ba0f7e4057" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_d1f27f8a-b80d-4981-a585-21ba0f7e4057" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_b538ae28-9561-45fc-a745-251a58a7e8f5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_c3a21bf8-88e6-44b3-84b1-f73cb1116cce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_b538ae28-9561-45fc-a745-251a58a7e8f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_30c25506-cc59-46f8-91d3-ee94b4144b0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_b538ae28-9561-45fc-a745-251a58a7e8f5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_30c25506-cc59-46f8-91d3-ee94b4144b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ExitCostsMember_fd2f9e09-cec0-4ce5-89e0-43ebcc852b71" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ExitCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_b538ae28-9561-45fc-a745-251a58a7e8f5" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ExitCostsMember_fd2f9e09-cec0-4ce5-89e0-43ebcc852b71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id0211bad7c2d433eb91e71942c04e686_REVENUERECOGNITIONDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f361da36-35e6-49ca-8666-2a4e728eb1ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_006961d7-6dc2-41ea-b81c-2c0a2f660796" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f361da36-35e6-49ca-8666-2a4e728eb1ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_006961d7-6dc2-41ea-b81c-2c0a2f660796" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bce541c5-670a-4f5e-9185-b40caf735f27" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_f361da36-35e6-49ca-8666-2a4e728eb1ff" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bce541c5-670a-4f5e-9185-b40caf735f27" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bce541c5-670a-4f5e-9185-b40caf735f27" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eda96685-c4b2-4642-bf5a-924a615bfc63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_d51f85b0-353b-471a-af47-51dc153587dd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eda96685-c4b2-4642-bf5a-924a615bfc63" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_2f1605a8-a849-4cc7-a622-455178e26dc9" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eda96685-c4b2-4642-bf5a-924a615bfc63" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_2f1605a8-a849-4cc7-a622-455178e26dc9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_11143a4e-63a4-4b52-849a-33e683dcd982" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eda96685-c4b2-4642-bf5a-924a615bfc63" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_11143a4e-63a4-4b52-849a-33e683dcd982" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bce541c5-670a-4f5e-9185-b40caf735f27" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2bc8627d-3598-49aa-b421-d578098d1668" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_10c60960-17ca-4755-a493-2b1ea8b1ff2a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2bc8627d-3598-49aa-b421-d578098d1668" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember_58b4ed70-b7fa-47a6-8504-51dad346d1c8" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2bc8627d-3598-49aa-b421-d578098d1668" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_TemporaryStaffingServicesMember_58b4ed70-b7fa-47a6-8504-51dad346d1c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OtherServicesMember_735ea0df-bd67-4817-9f2e-d8d2bc4a2d29" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_OtherServicesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_2bc8627d-3598-49aa-b421-d578098d1668" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OtherServicesMember_735ea0df-bd67-4817-9f2e-d8d2bc4a2d29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/ACQUISITIONSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ACQUISITIONSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/ACQUISITIONSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i30eed896d74e4fd7b3c85b456b34fbec_ACQUISITIONSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_5c7c2801-5f95-4290-9857-a74f8b2594ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross_5c7c2801-5f95-4290-9857-a74f8b2594ad" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_ab58a864-7aae-4c9f-80f2-cbf1b674591c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable_ab58a864-7aae-4c9f-80f2-cbf1b674591c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_a4c71d44-5474-429c-9a1e-ec6015b2f5a0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestsIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSharesIssued_a4c71d44-5474-429c-9a1e-ec6015b2f5a0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_6ae8b635-044e-4c72-b8ad-8365f29b168e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_6ae8b635-044e-4c72-b8ad-8365f29b168e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_1d1e8985-2be3-4c9e-b890-fd02898c63a6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_1d1e8985-2be3-4c9e-b890-fd02898c63a6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent_4582c3cb-a5a7-4b03-a7c7-61d243fee081" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent_4582c3cb-a5a7-4b03-a7c7-61d243fee081" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_64501626-2092-4711-9676-399ea51c1ce3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles_64501626-2092-4711-9676-399ea51c1ce3" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_a430a7a0-76c2-4db4-9b19-9965c9c1d8bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife_a430a7a0-76c2-4db4-9b19-9965c9c1d8bd" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_00a6eec2-f93c-49c1-9bcd-16e0e48a0c92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_00a6eec2-f93c-49c1-9bcd-16e0e48a0c92" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredNetWorkingCapitalAdjustment_e0a696cd-f987-415f-979a-8f726a47129f" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredNetWorkingCapitalAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredNetWorkingCapitalAdjustment_e0a696cd-f987-415f-979a-8f726a47129f" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EscrowDeposit_07473bfb-9757-4cf6-b2c3-b7da96ff1bd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EscrowDeposit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EscrowDeposit_07473bfb-9757-4cf6-b2c3-b7da96ff1bd6" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm_ec1c95f0-c720-43b4-95df-e6249f0a10f0" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationTerm_ec1c95f0-c720-43b4-95df-e6249f0a10f0" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_c6389ce3-c255-4a84-a69b-92aaa223fb3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_c6389ce3-c255-4a84-a69b-92aaa223fb3a" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_c499fb60-ae9d-4704-acf3-ad7d0182c6d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionLineItems_23a236ae-988c-4ea6-b131-9baec23550a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_c499fb60-ae9d-4704-acf3-ad7d0182c6d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_c499fb60-ae9d-4704-acf3-ad7d0182c6d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_b57e17d1-2e49-4b98-899e-58a36fc45ec6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_b127e78e-efba-4d1e-8205-3ef24b6de032" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_b127e78e-efba-4d1e-8205-3ef24b6de032" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_be4759e5-ae6e-4f56-ae3c-7c525a0e1841" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_be4759e5-ae6e-4f56-ae3c-7c525a0e1841" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OhioBasedBusinessMember_2e75608b-5020-445d-89f3-32b46c6aa7ad" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_OhioBasedBusinessMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OhioBasedBusinessMember_2e75608b-5020-445d-89f3-32b46c6aa7ad" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SelectedIncMember_fbdd857c-e2a5-40b3-a7dc-d3d7d91c9abc" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SelectedIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SelectedIncMember_fbdd857c-e2a5-40b3-a7dc-d3d7d91c9abc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_d2f6f4c9-099e-49f2-83fd-fc434dd0597c" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_698ea48d-1aff-4b31-aefc-e52d018ae54f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_d2f6f4c9-099e-49f2-83fd-fc434dd0597c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfBusinessAcquisitionsByAcquisitionTable_c499fb60-ae9d-4704-acf3-ad7d0182c6d9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_30e9e519-3974-49ee-8203-6d0ed7a6295b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_b6beb741-c8e4-400b-824e-f94c954ad606" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_b6beb741-c8e4-400b-824e-f94c954ad606" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerListsMember_ef409971-93fc-48bb-979b-d3537f0bd8fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerListsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerListsMember_ef409971-93fc-48bb-979b-d3537f0bd8fe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_4ad28a7e-43ac-4faf-a992-4142ba832633" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DatabasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_4ad28a7e-43ac-4faf-a992-4142ba832633" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_b72e3f2b-f82d-4b5a-a98e-b3f2bbe5891b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_b72e3f2b-f82d-4b5a-a98e-b3f2bbe5891b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_04ecc744-3def-4d92-b107-b2269218096d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_c4a11a72-0f0d-4a45-aea7-20763580512c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_04ecc744-3def-4d92-b107-b2269218096d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i5c7b4ffd6f754ae1a238355b161dfc6e_EARNINGSPERSHAREAntidilutiveSecuritiesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_a34ac5c3-61d8-4dc9-a4b9-471310da50cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_d8e8d4bd-f676-4de9-90e2-b209b79eeb86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_a34ac5c3-61d8-4dc9-a4b9-471310da50cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_d8e8d4bd-f676-4de9-90e2-b209b79eeb86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_f4d49c07-f68e-4438-9e1f-0e62c7f5f3b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_a34ac5c3-61d8-4dc9-a4b9-471310da50cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_f4d49c07-f68e-4438-9e1f-0e62c7f5f3b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_f4d49c07-f68e-4438-9e1f-0e62c7f5f3b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_3921e35b-e35c-4135-8be6-848bc83d36ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_741b51b8-2ac2-48f3-8e7b-c9f884c1f7da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_3921e35b-e35c-4135-8be6-848bc83d36ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember_41605be5-2514-49ef-9b74-b2de63bef1ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_3921e35b-e35c-4135-8be6-848bc83d36ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockCompensationPlanMember_41605be5-2514-49ef-9b74-b2de63bef1ed" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i570205a771de4119ab5bd541b056b3b1_GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSAcquiredIntangibleAssetsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1155f5de-36f8-4945-bac9-0536a878c0b4" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_9040d9b7-770e-47bc-8b8c-16cbf955100a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1155f5de-36f8-4945-bac9-0536a878c0b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_9040d9b7-770e-47bc-8b8c-16cbf955100a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_e4f5d208-19fd-441e-a486-0c6ed90caa80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_9040d9b7-770e-47bc-8b8c-16cbf955100a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_e4f5d208-19fd-441e-a486-0c6ed90caa80" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_79a528e4-bfae-4fa8-9fad-8546be49f848" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_9040d9b7-770e-47bc-8b8c-16cbf955100a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_79a528e4-bfae-4fa8-9fad-8546be49f848" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_016e2b4e-eadb-4290-b127-88980f50e358" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_9040d9b7-770e-47bc-8b8c-16cbf955100a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNet_016e2b4e-eadb-4290-b127-88980f50e358" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_078bac83-56a2-498c-aad7-1939875df842" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1155f5de-36f8-4945-bac9-0536a878c0b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_078bac83-56a2-498c-aad7-1939875df842" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_18ece82b-8804-47e2-a9f7-5c668834b36e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwillAbstract_078bac83-56a2-498c-aad7-1939875df842" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IndefiniteLivedTradeNames_18ece82b-8804-47e2-a9f7-5c668834b36e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_331f5295-42a3-4a9d-bfd4-762c0e6b2b08" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FiniteLivedAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_1155f5de-36f8-4945-bac9-0536a878c0b4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_331f5295-42a3-4a9d-bfd4-762c0e6b2b08" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_ScheduleOfIndefiniteLivedAndFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_331f5295-42a3-4a9d-bfd4-762c0e6b2b08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_984a182d-56f7-4540-b604-1623d3d35656" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_b93675c2-03f0-4905-adb3-34a953c35087" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DatabasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DatabasesMember_b93675c2-03f0-4905-adb3-34a953c35087" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_d311e9d3-81cd-4723-a7f2-e22cbe224e87" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_d311e9d3-81cd-4723-a7f2-e22cbe224e87" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_66145da1-a34b-405a-bb88-66e06cbd092e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_66145da1-a34b-405a-bb88-66e06cbd092e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_52618caa-327f-4522-99a3-3bc0fc39f4e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_52618caa-327f-4522-99a3-3bc0fc39f4e3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_02de7486-e848-4f34-9a4c-deab7ac61a1b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_6f1e455e-8e87-4d40-88a2-79b3de66842c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareDevelopmentMember_02de7486-e848-4f34-9a4c-deab7ac61a1b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillRollforwardDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillRollforwardDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillRollforwardDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if73f8396eedf45d38ef067035827768d_GOODWILLTRADENAMESANDOTHERINTANGIBLEASSETSGoodwillRollforwardDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_c3e63479-36af-4d0e-a1f2-4139396731cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_c3e63479-36af-4d0e-a1f2-4139396731cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_dbb9ec30-653b-4d82-8e1d-f9daac72b698" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_dbb9ec30-653b-4d82-8e1d-f9daac72b698" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_3130f31f-0978-4fdb-b1e9-855e65800f5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_3130f31f-0978-4fdb-b1e9-855e65800f5c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_1813b955-bcbe-4254-9197-4ff7cb91134b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_1813b955-bcbe-4254-9197-4ff7cb91134b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_699d39eb-82db-4329-8bd1-14a42fcfba50" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillRollForward_d8bb8f12-5820-4d12-875f-52d4da91df69" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillPurchaseAccountingAdjustments_699d39eb-82db-4329-8bd1-14a42fcfba50" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_e177ef18-d4d9-4f93-a6a3-3379b53c31ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_2ec7d7e7-2c5b-4e63-9be6-6d47fc718a0f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_c0f6b54f-df4d-45c4-839f-6ff4444858de" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_68fef407-4547-4263-8955-32a0909e9d5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_c3e63479-36af-4d0e-a1f2-4139396731cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_68fef407-4547-4263-8955-32a0909e9d5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_68fef407-4547-4263-8955-32a0909e9d5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5425d62c-d882-4c06-97fa-eb48089c9744" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_9dc3a89c-73e4-4eca-af99-f2869b33d29c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5425d62c-d882-4c06-97fa-eb48089c9744" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_8ec45fa1-e167-47e3-8002-cc86cf4101e1" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5425d62c-d882-4c06-97fa-eb48089c9744" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_8ec45fa1-e167-47e3-8002-cc86cf4101e1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_ca886501-0c91-4d47-8d9b-639bc94463e4" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_5425d62c-d882-4c06-97fa-eb48089c9744" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_ca886501-0c91-4d47-8d9b-639bc94463e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#DEBTLongtermDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTLongtermDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="id42c0dd665db42899cbb99b8da258e39_DEBTLongtermDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_43b61652-b3de-4c16-a2b8-e78e4d83ea80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_5cdcf8c7-d507-4348-8d51-88ce931da804" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_43b61652-b3de-4c16-a2b8-e78e4d83ea80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_5cdcf8c7-d507-4348-8d51-88ce931da804" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_ddfa5d90-621c-4a61-9426-b002117cb4c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_43b61652-b3de-4c16-a2b8-e78e4d83ea80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_ddfa5d90-621c-4a61-9426-b002117cb4c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_a8d879ab-6027-4aa8-a34a-8a811f335456" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_43b61652-b3de-4c16-a2b8-e78e4d83ea80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_a8d879ab-6027-4aa8-a34a-8a811f335456" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_460d874f-bdc8-4b04-a252-ddda45f7cc9e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_43b61652-b3de-4c16-a2b8-e78e4d83ea80" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_460d874f-bdc8-4b04-a252-ddda45f7cc9e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_460d874f-bdc8-4b04-a252-ddda45f7cc9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3f921538-5c21-4267-9697-7a783c79b109" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f1806c28-ea95-4964-9edc-d03df38b8292" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3f921538-5c21-4267-9697-7a783c79b109" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_8fad2be5-0c10-4734-b85d-d64a20e2a564" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3f921538-5c21-4267-9697-7a783c79b109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_8fad2be5-0c10-4734-b85d-d64a20e2a564" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_10d78ef4-6adb-48ec-8e4c-5b907ff12e04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3f921538-5c21-4267-9697-7a783c79b109" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_10d78ef4-6adb-48ec-8e4c-5b907ff12e04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_460d874f-bdc8-4b04-a252-ddda45f7cc9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_dac4c13c-4f7c-45bd-9974-1db8718a2413" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_8d791aa3-a483-46c1-8ab4-b5a07669d91b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_dac4c13c-4f7c-45bd-9974-1db8718a2413" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_e1cc76e6-3a0f-4e55-ab44-298268d4b2af" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_dac4c13c-4f7c-45bd-9974-1db8718a2413" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_e1cc76e6-3a0f-4e55-ab44-298268d4b2af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_460d874f-bdc8-4b04-a252-ddda45f7cc9e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_53cd335e-e0e9-49db-b7ed-036e070f3153" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_9d49a4a8-aabd-4720-b22c-675003c5931d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_53cd335e-e0e9-49db-b7ed-036e070f3153" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_cb597341-9eb2-4f96-abf7-d71193adf2e7" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_53cd335e-e0e9-49db-b7ed-036e070f3153" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_cb597341-9eb2-4f96-abf7-d71193adf2e7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i18e903fa65a044f9b158681831af1d70_DEBT2021TermLoanCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PaymentForDebtPrepayment_ce48433a-79ff-4b42-b905-a4adf80c6046" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PaymentForDebtPrepayment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PaymentForDebtPrepayment_ce48433a-79ff-4b42-b905-a4adf80c6046" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_78640395-772a-43b3-bd35-e0c3d597dc3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm_78640395-772a-43b3-bd35-e0c3d597dc3e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_48abf0bc-8d47-4b47-b905-7dcf0acc2c75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_48abf0bc-8d47-4b47-b905-7dcf0acc2c75" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_68b3c362-772c-474b-9ecc-6ee73a7044d2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_68b3c362-772c-474b-9ecc-6ee73a7044d2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateFloor_e2978933-7072-4ce9-9d09-92e0765cdc7b" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentVariableInterestRateFloor_e2978933-7072-4ce9-9d09-92e0765cdc7b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_0910e9c0-a068-49e5-a216-596ead54ee3f" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_0910e9c0-a068-49e5-a216-596ead54ee3f" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_9033d081-5bcd-4494-bc97-c51034412f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsOfDebtExtinguishmentCosts_9033d081-5bcd-4494-bc97-c51034412f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_53c25c58-11a1-4652-ab8b-d7d82484e447" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost_53c25c58-11a1-4652-ab8b-d7d82484e447" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_08d596fe-5d15-4a5e-be67-8fbf329f3747" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_08d596fe-5d15-4a5e-be67-8fbf329f3747" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_8325493d-eb35-4abf-9d5d-0c1022a670d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_d54b36ab-8e04-4d4d-bb1b-db0338074e52" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_8325493d-eb35-4abf-9d5d-0c1022a670d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_8325493d-eb35-4abf-9d5d-0c1022a670d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3632fc9e-b9a5-432d-a2b7-a8e397960c3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_f61e3ecf-abfe-4531-b366-b1238f42089f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3632fc9e-b9a5-432d-a2b7-a8e397960c3d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_a57ff662-37be-4078-9088-9b6df78fc2bc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_3632fc9e-b9a5-432d-a2b7-a8e397960c3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_a57ff662-37be-4078-9088-9b6df78fc2bc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_8325493d-eb35-4abf-9d5d-0c1022a670d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cdc5e9a4-9910-46e6-80e5-99f2082ee6cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_1369051c-ad20-48e1-951d-b705787a06db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cdc5e9a4-9910-46e6-80e5-99f2082ee6cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_124d469f-2272-49bf-8f36-804f53a9b54c" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_cdc5e9a4-9910-46e6-80e5-99f2082ee6cf" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_124d469f-2272-49bf-8f36-804f53a9b54c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember_8ab92d6a-fb4d-4226-b030-6dc58b7bddcf" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_124d469f-2272-49bf-8f36-804f53a9b54c" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementIncrementalTermLoanMember_8ab92d6a-fb4d-4226-b030-6dc58b7bddcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember_91ab15fd-b9dc-4139-9728-2b051eafbbd2" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_124d469f-2272-49bf-8f36-804f53a9b54c" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementAggregateAmountOfAllPossibleIncreasesMember_91ab15fd-b9dc-4139-9728-2b051eafbbd2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_8325493d-eb35-4abf-9d5d-0c1022a670d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3fd0e49b-3f82-4325-ac14-2f1daced77c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ff2a07a-25b5-4b0b-be8a-b721dcfde8f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3fd0e49b-3f82-4325-ac14-2f1daced77c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LondonInterbankOfferedRateMember_06e57f0c-b42a-4ef1-b87e-d326fab5e362" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LondonInterbankOfferedRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3fd0e49b-3f82-4325-ac14-2f1daced77c1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LondonInterbankOfferedRateMember_06e57f0c-b42a-4ef1-b87e-d326fab5e362" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_e850c375-eb13-4e71-a1d6-ba19937cf169" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_3fd0e49b-3f82-4325-ac14-2f1daced77c1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_e850c375-eb13-4e71-a1d6-ba19937cf169" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTMaturitiesofDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#DEBTMaturitiesofDebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBTMaturitiesofDebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i091734e554d349ffa82e09df5a586b01_DEBTMaturitiesofDebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_84e95643-46e2-433c-9ae6-11e21841b6a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_84e95643-46e2-433c-9ae6-11e21841b6a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear_5de7c784-1855-42a8-8b33-e8dd3824aa65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalRemainderOfFiscalYear_5de7c784-1855-42a8-8b33-e8dd3824aa65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_e7b8078d-fe6a-47b9-80be-aea7673f8604" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_e7b8078d-fe6a-47b9-80be-aea7673f8604" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_92ea496a-1b28-478a-a301-291f7c6bd105" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_92ea496a-1b28-478a-a301-291f7c6bd105" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_cd684121-ac70-48a3-869f-00a1bb6eb66a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_cd684121-ac70-48a3-869f-00a1bb6eb66a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_7a45df04-0242-442b-b489-411c0ec19490" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour_7a45df04-0242-442b-b489-411c0ec19490" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour_51cf233f-a7a0-4106-9f93-d84e9c970104" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LongTermDebtMaturityAfterYearFour_51cf233f-a7a0-4106-9f93-d84e9c970104" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_45660697-b293-4677-bf8e-6f4531b5ecbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtByMaturityAbstract_ccca2dd3-694b-483e-b282-f8ce8a3da5eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_45660697-b293-4677-bf8e-6f4531b5ecbb" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4821be6d-a478-4640-bf31-f894abca7317" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_84e95643-46e2-433c-9ae6-11e21841b6a5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4821be6d-a478-4640-bf31-f894abca7317" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4821be6d-a478-4640-bf31-f894abca7317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_51a053b7-3f33-4dd3-9a2a-1178c48be97e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6702b525-c82a-4406-b083-ae87ec7b19b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_51a053b7-3f33-4dd3-9a2a-1178c48be97e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_2677d4a6-3bd2-4436-83dd-d07b39e6a42e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_51a053b7-3f33-4dd3-9a2a-1178c48be97e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_2677d4a6-3bd2-4436-83dd-d07b39e6a42e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fdce9ebf-e850-4135-8e1e-52d67dbf8481" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_51a053b7-3f33-4dd3-9a2a-1178c48be97e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fdce9ebf-e850-4135-8e1e-52d67dbf8481" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4821be6d-a478-4640-bf31-f894abca7317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_207fabcd-8199-49d6-8c58-da4c47ef706f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_c17a0924-34f4-44b1-a15f-32401366c5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_207fabcd-8199-49d6-8c58-da4c47ef706f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7cd92bd9-38f8-429d-ada5-a46ee45d18e3" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_207fabcd-8199-49d6-8c58-da4c47ef706f" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_7cd92bd9-38f8-429d-ada5-a46ee45d18e3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4821be6d-a478-4640-bf31-f894abca7317" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8ad5b783-0dfe-4cdd-a527-6c3bb2b8eddd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_28fdff9e-213d-494d-9aa8-3b202c4cd38a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8ad5b783-0dfe-4cdd-a527-6c3bb2b8eddd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_22568a3f-7469-4f6b-8526-ddd5ec924981" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_8ad5b783-0dfe-4cdd-a527-6c3bb2b8eddd" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_22568a3f-7469-4f6b-8526-ddd5ec924981" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ib8fc1f1097704422b8b70385021c3873_DEBT2019AssetBasedLoanAgreementDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_2c617a6e-7886-4efe-af46-6d3e1bc6e491" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationPeriod_2c617a6e-7886-4efe-af46-6d3e1bc6e491" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_76f9980a-0f44-455b-9712-6979127dd7be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_76f9980a-0f44-455b-9712-6979127dd7be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources_fb7aa078-2fdf-4713-8639-037cf7b89ee7" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditAmountOfIndebtednessPermittedBySeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanToBeBorrowedFromOtherSources_fb7aa078-2fdf-4713-8639-037cf7b89ee7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_00ab4f2f-3bc4-455e-9fb2-e3e8d1e582ae" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateAdjustment_00ab4f2f-3bc4-455e-9fb2-e3e8d1e582ae" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAssets_b5cf0f0a-1673-4761-b109-bdf47f1657e9" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditBorrowingBasePercentageOfAssets_b5cf0f0a-1673-4761-b109-bdf47f1657e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability_87796d09-22dd-419c-8e44-66be1002b4ca" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditFacilityBorrowingBaseAvailability_87796d09-22dd-419c-8e44-66be1002b4ca" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_f59f3f3c-2e34-48cb-99b7-f8df3183bf63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_f59f3f3c-2e34-48cb-99b7-f8df3183bf63" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_1d67c2bf-0a73-4574-a905-4ab1a3e2e6d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_1d67c2bf-0a73-4574-a905-4ab1a3e2e6d6" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_cdb0d89a-de11-4bda-a16a-b52f69b5ec04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_cdb0d89a-de11-4bda-a16a-b52f69b5ec04" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d560cb2-911c-443a-856d-7ad1b1c552cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_2d560cb2-911c-443a-856d-7ad1b1c552cc" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_a70e4ea7-c7f2-4a4b-bc85-a6b85859bd98" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_a70e4ea7-c7f2-4a4b-bc85-a6b85859bd98" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_cdd84742-3f14-47f7-a07b-a0027248df57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_00e4607b-85ba-4d60-afcc-eaeecad7e5d8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_cdd84742-3f14-47f7-a07b-a0027248df57" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_cdd84742-3f14-47f7-a07b-a0027248df57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_b1bbfa0f-706f-416c-b47f-10a16f7fdfee" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_ac5b1019-c7aa-4daf-9d67-58ab5e365e03" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_b1bbfa0f-706f-416c-b47f-10a16f7fdfee" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_8d1265cb-c2f0-4b78-9b29-48cead459577" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_b1bbfa0f-706f-416c-b47f-10a16f7fdfee" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_8d1265cb-c2f0-4b78-9b29-48cead459577" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_cdd84742-3f14-47f7-a07b-a0027248df57" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3_default" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_6f9d65f5-be0f-4bcc-a11f-044dc4af1c4e" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitAxis_b6ccc31a-a860-413d-80d2-a1a46bccc2e3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_6f9d65f5-be0f-4bcc-a11f-044dc4af1c4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember_05bb5dfd-e3f8-44d6-b4c6-5d8b2a552ef1" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_6f9d65f5-be0f-4bcc-a11f-044dc4af1c4e" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SwingLoansSublimitMember_05bb5dfd-e3f8-44d6-b4c6-5d8b2a552ef1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember_7132e22b-9c64-4514-bece-041bea7d1bbf" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_LineOfCreditSublimitDomain_6f9d65f5-be0f-4bcc-a11f-044dc4af1c4e" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StandbyLettersOfCreditSublimitMember_7132e22b-9c64-4514-bece-041bea7d1bbf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityTable_cdd84742-3f14-47f7-a07b-a0027248df57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4240b23d-e421-4e72-ad5f-66982ca60e0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_9ae2be1a-c20c-41c8-a2b1-744ed0610491" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4240b23d-e421-4e72-ad5f-66982ca60e0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_ebfc6578-714d-4cbd-841f-7990089af71a" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4240b23d-e421-4e72-ad5f-66982ca60e0b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember_ebfc6578-714d-4cbd-841f-7990089af71a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_b0e8f496-8f9a-40a9-ae2a-fe4d64c1b631" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_4240b23d-e421-4e72-ad5f-66982ca60e0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_b0e8f496-8f9a-40a9-ae2a-fe4d64c1b631" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i58e45c3e2d4d48c380b422ccef3cb05f_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSEstimatedFairValuesofFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredonaRecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b246064b-3145-4276-a32b-a8c4eda1a438" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_72dc6059-5dcd-4809-89fb-c58db62820c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b246064b-3145-4276-a32b-a8c4eda1a438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_72dc6059-5dcd-4809-89fb-c58db62820c0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations_3cc8f9ec-8483-4de6-97de-7cce34e3a125" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b246064b-3145-4276-a32b-a8c4eda1a438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisObligations_3cc8f9ec-8483-4de6-97de-7cce34e3a125" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_83f30011-ce00-4dac-9d82-c905e69d440d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_b246064b-3145-4276-a32b-a8c4eda1a438" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_83f30011-ce00-4dac-9d82-c905e69d440d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_83f30011-ce00-4dac-9d82-c905e69d440d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_156e661a-d7cf-4382-a1f6-fc22788272dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_2b68740b-a4ed-4791-83c5-4e33c81ae892" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_156e661a-d7cf-4382-a1f6-fc22788272dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_a35ee35a-6fc0-4611-979b-4ab1569bdd1a" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_156e661a-d7cf-4382-a1f6-fc22788272dd" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_a35ee35a-6fc0-4611-979b-4ab1569bdd1a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_83f30011-ce00-4dac-9d82-c905e69d440d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_9c42ecea-6be3-4ef2-953b-4c9a8641a7b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_1a4cc46e-c089-46bd-af93-9f19927cb849" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_9c42ecea-6be3-4ef2-953b-4c9a8641a7b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_e09af361-ed2f-4d88-842b-8706bff9bbaf" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_9c42ecea-6be3-4ef2-953b-4c9a8641a7b3" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_DeferredCompensationMember_e09af361-ed2f-4d88-842b-8706bff9bbaf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_83f30011-ce00-4dac-9d82-c905e69d440d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a1a2c8c9-3539-4b2f-b997-3e6ad3f543ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_8f406d04-f4a0-41e3-b4ca-36fe21e501a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a1a2c8c9-3539-4b2f-b997-3e6ad3f543ec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_392a7c26-4eb6-472a-b999-b62338be7e7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a1a2c8c9-3539-4b2f-b997-3e6ad3f543ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_392a7c26-4eb6-472a-b999-b62338be7e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6b354812e67a4fae9d7db7efab800189_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_6a855464-50d0-4bd2-9fbc-5d5a261c925e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill_6a855464-50d0-4bd2-9fbc-5d5a261c925e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_c540e88a-a9af-4a02-84a9-c3c288ce2b5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RepaymentsOfSecuredDebt_c540e88a-a9af-4a02-84a9-c3c288ce2b5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_b4dfc444-e831-411b-925f-2c0bbe994b20" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentForContingentConsiderationLiabilityFinancingActivities_b4dfc444-e831-411b-925f-2c0bbe994b20" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_63087c14-a8bb-4de0-be74-5eb4c1ea9b77" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityCurrent_63087c14-a8bb-4de0-be74-5eb4c1ea9b77" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent_e51e4b16-f18d-4050-8d32-0174a09d38b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityNoncurrent_e51e4b16-f18d-4050-8d32-0174a09d38b8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_58f22504-350b-4f53-83f8-035c740541b7" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementLineItems_80ca8ff7-69ed-4b1f-a2fd-ae87f0121c46" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_58f22504-350b-4f53-83f8-035c740541b7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_58f22504-350b-4f53-83f8-035c740541b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_443a03bf-2949-4524-88ce-681a642a38a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_0f8d2578-6d44-47c9-af31-a7799fcba8d6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_443a03bf-2949-4524-88ce-681a642a38a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_504565f9-ad1f-45e9-a35a-f83ec513050c" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_443a03bf-2949-4524-88ce-681a642a38a1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_A2021TermLoanCreditAgreementMember_504565f9-ad1f-45e9-a35a-f83ec513050c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_58f22504-350b-4f53-83f8-035c740541b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_be005e40-3c62-4bdd-8c66-275bd2cb4370" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_8990cc05-24b8-413a-9849-4607abc495cb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_be005e40-3c62-4bdd-8c66-275bd2cb4370" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_008bf44d-43a2-4da1-bb5d-2fdd75c1a026" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_be005e40-3c62-4bdd-8c66-275bd2cb4370" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_008bf44d-43a2-4da1-bb5d-2fdd75c1a026" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_FairValueMeasurementTable_58f22504-350b-4f53-83f8-035c740541b7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3c0b6060-441c-43bf-8f6e-b19a073d53a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_f324b854-0d3a-4108-b372-28a404550e88" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3c0b6060-441c-43bf-8f6e-b19a073d53a5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_a79e2d34-406b-46a7-8a81-c5376d5243f2" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3c0b6060-441c-43bf-8f6e-b19a073d53a5" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_a79e2d34-406b-46a7-8a81-c5376d5243f2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_35e6e0e0-4554-4f2c-a892-f56ae96fa827" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3c0b6060-441c-43bf-8f6e-b19a073d53a5" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_35e6e0e0-4554-4f2c-a892-f56ae96fa827" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_2aca3f33-1ea3-40ed-a066-8742f2da5977" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3c0b6060-441c-43bf-8f6e-b19a073d53a5" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_2aca3f33-1ea3-40ed-a066-8742f2da5977" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSCarryingAmountsandEstimatedFairValuesofSignificantFinancialInstrumentthatwerenotMeasuredatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSCarryingAmountsandEstimatedFairValuesofSignificantFinancialInstrumentthatwerenotMeasuredatFairValueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSCarryingAmountsandEstimatedFairValuesofSignificantFinancialInstrumentthatwerenotMeasuredatFairValueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2d7a8edf88f14ba89bd3f57682e0a1eb_FAIRVALUEMEASUREMENTSCarryingAmountsandEstimatedFairValuesofSignificantFinancialInstrumentthatwerenotMeasuredatFairValueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_4d3705a3-2762-4488-be01-e7b0fa10965b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditFairValueDisclosure_e3f4cdf2-e126-4a6e-9663-0b23dfc62240" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LinesOfCreditFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_4d3705a3-2762-4488-be01-e7b0fa10965b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LinesOfCreditFairValueDisclosure_e3f4cdf2-e126-4a6e-9663-0b23dfc62240" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_a320c71f-7789-451b-8837-2418eb4dd359" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_4d3705a3-2762-4488-be01-e7b0fa10965b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue_a320c71f-7789-451b-8837-2418eb4dd359" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_c81e8431-5f83-4160-9112-4dae4bec4d31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_4d3705a3-2762-4488-be01-e7b0fa10965b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_c81e8431-5f83-4160-9112-4dae4bec4d31" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresLineItems_4d3705a3-2762-4488-be01-e7b0fa10965b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_531cdecc-44b6-4db1-b571-6ff6a893a20f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_2ccf24be-4bd4-41d5-9ea6-07665336449c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_531cdecc-44b6-4db1-b571-6ff6a893a20f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_bffd5ef1-688a-4499-88b8-c4cf22d1e13c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_531cdecc-44b6-4db1-b571-6ff6a893a20f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_bffd5ef1-688a-4499-88b8-c4cf22d1e13c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b7eef55b-9292-480b-af70-beadb167183c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_177ab976-f072-4ed6-aa4f-d1a5bac0cf54" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b7eef55b-9292-480b-af70-beadb167183c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_e134157b-4287-446b-b08c-01bc6aceaccc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_b7eef55b-9292-480b-af70-beadb167183c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember_e134157b-4287-446b-b08c-01bc6aceaccc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3c0fa7f0-699b-416b-8637-433b6847ee26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_7a7737c5-458b-4fae-be15-7da2af7dbd1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3c0fa7f0-699b-416b-8637-433b6847ee26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_5cbb9d33-7302-4090-9583-0d024c44ec16" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_3c0fa7f0-699b-416b-8637-433b6847ee26" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SeniorSecuredAssetBasedLoanMember_5cbb9d33-7302-4090-9583-0d024c44ec16" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_df392e3a-867d-4dfa-afc2-5af8d6d8d809" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis_87077a7f-863d-4f59-855c-9773c5bd3913" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_df392e3a-867d-4dfa-afc2-5af8d6d8d809" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9dea7603-4a99-478a-9f6a-0376844dfee2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_df392e3a-867d-4dfa-afc2-5af8d6d8d809" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9dea7603-4a99-478a-9f6a-0376844dfee2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_2aa33bc7-8ccd-47f1-a219-cd4474d9f2bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9dea7603-4a99-478a-9f6a-0376844dfee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember_2aa33bc7-8ccd-47f1-a219-cd4474d9f2bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_406b24e0-3c8b-4c46-a7ec-323f357502cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_9dea7603-4a99-478a-9f6a-0376844dfee2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_406b24e0-3c8b-4c46-a7ec-323f357502cd" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueOptionQuantitativeDisclosuresTable_6b688323-81c2-4b05-b2b7-6424c6262bd5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_bd57eb34-1412-4c05-8a54-ceadf42f0c7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_3d13e7aa-cefa-4d53-b74f-9d143379eb1c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_bd57eb34-1412-4c05-8a54-ceadf42f0c7b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_e968bca0-4470-494c-be63-1f60aef72baf" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_bd57eb34-1412-4c05-8a54-ceadf42f0c7b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_WorkforceSolutionsGroupIncMember_e968bca0-4470-494c-be63-1f60aef72baf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_14675cf3-4075-4d83-b5e3-3f9fa46a9953" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_bd57eb34-1412-4c05-8a54-ceadf42f0c7b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_MintMedicalPhysicianStaffingLPAndLotusMedicalStaffingLLCMember_14675cf3-4075-4d83-b5e3-3f9fa46a9953" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_848ce65f-3b69-4d81-a502-6d91cf810c6d" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_bd57eb34-1412-4c05-8a54-ceadf42f0c7b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_HireUpLeadershipIncMember_848ce65f-3b69-4d81-a502-6d91cf810c6d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i0bfd5599eb5c4b8f902ee3f01126570e_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYAdditionalInformationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_90474d71-4cae-410f-9d15-690e14a935a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_90474d71-4cae-410f-9d15-690e14a935a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount_0fbd2f66-13e1-453c-9bc4-bc0e9433d73b" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_StockRepurchaseProgramAdditionalAuthorizedAmount_0fbd2f66-13e1-453c-9bc4-bc0e9433d73b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_1bd555de-2f39-41c8-83cd-84322a5f6dd6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_1bd555de-2f39-41c8-83cd-84322a5f6dd6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_d6a901f1-db3c-4b9a-b574-cc1f94eb5900" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_d6a901f1-db3c-4b9a-b574-cc1f94eb5900" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1312056d-f5c1-48af-b77f-2aec455e56fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_1312056d-f5c1-48af-b77f-2aec455e56fe" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_e52e2937-34b6-4e51-87be-f470f8991588" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_e52e2937-34b6-4e51-87be-f470f8991588" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_bdf51d9c-17df-42c5-a413-d0b48dbd1e13" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_bdf51d9c-17df-42c5-a413-d0b48dbd1e13" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_635a4c49-3135-4e94-9c0c-d170e76de40d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockCapitalSharesReservedForFutureIssuance_635a4c49-3135-4e94-9c0c-d170e76de40d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_ef87a563-0a31-401a-a8bc-5be764dec911" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_ef87a563-0a31-401a-a8bc-5be764dec911" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage_1ac2943e-6d38-4576-bc6e-04f7f931a087" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceAttainmentPercentage_1ac2943e-6d38-4576-bc6e-04f7f931a087" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_585dfa24-64c6-4bc9-8c5c-9bd011874b8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_585dfa24-64c6-4bc9-8c5c-9bd011874b8e" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_2bcf8c14-de8d-44cf-8129-200fa895c644" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_2bcf8c14-de8d-44cf-8129-200fa895c644" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet_cc72c250-5e76-454a-9698-5b9217438b94" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodNet_cc72c250-5e76-454a-9698-5b9217438b94" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_d2e36de5-40f4-426b-b6ce-38cfdeb8fec4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be3067ef-22b1-4cfb-908a-a2b2c88126a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_bf9fc88b-c3b1-4f6e-af22-894f52f16399" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be3067ef-22b1-4cfb-908a-a2b2c88126a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NewRepurchaseProgramMember_ea6d28f1-a318-440f-ae9c-14f0ae6687a3" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_NewRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be3067ef-22b1-4cfb-908a-a2b2c88126a1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NewRepurchaseProgramMember_ea6d28f1-a318-440f-ae9c-14f0ae6687a3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PriorRepurchaseProgramMember_42a2b93b-a5f6-4006-bde3-004f69c82aa5" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PriorRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_be3067ef-22b1-4cfb-908a-a2b2c88126a1" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PriorRepurchaseProgramMember_42a2b93b-a5f6-4006-bde3-004f69c82aa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_dddaf2b1-e22b-4b99-a2a8-d70dec6ac96b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_2c1534d0-ecc5-46c2-84c4-9c00b79abcc8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_dddaf2b1-e22b-4b99-a2a8-d70dec6ac96b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember_89a8f523-e89f-48d8-8d1b-f2aa34bee918" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_dddaf2b1-e22b-4b99-a2a8-d70dec6ac96b" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OmnibusPlanMember_89a8f523-e89f-48d8-8d1b-f2aa34bee918" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_fcdf0094-5652-433d-bdd8-6fa78aa02db0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_4d6082bc-7480-4ac8-988d-29f09145a873" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_fcdf0094-5652-433d-bdd8-6fa78aa02db0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_18ab79d2-3ade-4d5f-aa3b-3b569610a5d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_fcdf0094-5652-433d-bdd8-6fa78aa02db0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_18ab79d2-3ade-4d5f-aa3b-3b569610a5d0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b51a8f0b-fcb8-49f2-ae72-90c750cb4cc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_65e3e340-d603-40db-bef7-3ad5262ade75" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b51a8f0b-fcb8-49f2-ae72-90c750cb4cc9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_3383c73e-baa3-49cb-b63a-d476ec790dda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_b51a8f0b-fcb8-49f2-ae72-90c750cb4cc9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember_3383c73e-baa3-49cb-b63a-d476ec790dda" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_063f4a98-bccc-4253-ae2d-372a911c1976" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d92cff62-3530-44c4-afdc-06bfda63deef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_3589835d-90da-4da2-b423-1e673b6df97a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d92cff62-3530-44c4-afdc-06bfda63deef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_b76836a2-5dda-4437-944c-46b5b8fa9ccf" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_d92cff62-3530-44c4-afdc-06bfda63deef" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_b76836a2-5dda-4437-944c-46b5b8fa9ccf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_a6f4ff1c-2dc7-4418-a18a-71ae21fe1d60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_b76836a2-5dda-4437-944c-46b5b8fa9ccf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_a6f4ff1c-2dc7-4418-a18a-71ae21fe1d60" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i950411795bdd43648f5b6b4368e15e4c_STOCKHOLDERSEQUITYRestrictedStockActivityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_319f904c-4224-46c8-ae3f-4c3616e61af0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_319f904c-4224-46c8-ae3f-4c3616e61af0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_510ac7ca-b0c6-4dc0-9c08-f460fe9ee42c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_510ac7ca-b0c6-4dc0-9c08-f460fe9ee42c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1e7b771f-d93c-4025-b333-20cb292c7b8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_1e7b771f-d93c-4025-b333-20cb292c7b8d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_7a86c512-2930-4f03-81d6-b0f46b1b62b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_7a86c512-2930-4f03-81d6-b0f46b1b62b6" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_0b3db9bf-e4af-4732-8257-995d7dae91ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_6c54e984-a8fe-408d-90bb-fc9b10e1153f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_0b3db9bf-e4af-4732-8257-995d7dae91ea" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_7058fa6d-8a90-4b93-a370-874b7418f1db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_319f904c-4224-46c8-ae3f-4c3616e61af0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_134879f7-26c1-4fc9-b618-477ffa235955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_134879f7-26c1-4fc9-b618-477ffa235955" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0753002d-d95f-4e53-9a42-7fdfacff8b14" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0753002d-d95f-4e53-9a42-7fdfacff8b14" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_93a5acaa-4b5e-42a7-9d6d-ee86cfac4ef0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_93a5acaa-4b5e-42a7-9d6d-ee86cfac4ef0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_865937d2-9209-4b0e-b596-29185602c49a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_4780e966-ca68-4640-b2a0-4c1736c2ef90" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_865937d2-9209-4b0e-b596-29185602c49a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3a83b156-4568-440d-9725-68f1065f9f7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6baffdd5-2a81-4672-a1dc-c69577b6088d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_319f904c-4224-46c8-ae3f-4c3616e61af0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6baffdd5-2a81-4672-a1dc-c69577b6088d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_6baffdd5-2a81-4672-a1dc-c69577b6088d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e59b11be-11f3-4f3e-a5fa-31698abae638" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_cfaf42cd-d1e0-4790-b13c-da109bded197" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e59b11be-11f3-4f3e-a5fa-31698abae638" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_535b13c4-e878-4be1-8024-e525691ab869" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e59b11be-11f3-4f3e-a5fa-31698abae638" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_535b13c4-e878-4be1-8024-e525691ab869" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_bba14b0c-8a69-42ef-8701-a64270c30e53" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_e59b11be-11f3-4f3e-a5fa-31698abae638" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_bba14b0c-8a69-42ef-8701-a64270c30e53" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SEGMENTDATADetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#SEGMENTDATADetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/SEGMENTDATADetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ica59061b921b4b12a3bad9979a4cca11_SEGMENTDATADetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_db1ad92b-aa76-4a9f-9c3a-7a44c5a0273e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_db1ad92b-aa76-4a9f-9c3a-7a44c5a0273e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDAndAAcquisitionAndIntegrationContingentConsiderationRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard_7b347525-6e7a-4d01-a5de-70f6a3611b8f" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDAndAAcquisitionAndIntegrationContingentConsiderationRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_OperatingIncomeLossBeforeDAndAAcquisitionAndIntegrationContingentConsiderationRestructuringLegalImpairmentAndCorporateOverheard_7b347525-6e7a-4d01-a5de-70f6a3611b8f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses_5342b1a9-b2ba-4b33-b5f4-facb8a02151e" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_SegmentReportingUnallocatedCorporateExpenses_5342b1a9-b2ba-4b33-b5f4-facb8a02151e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_e45c82e9-44c9-488e-8269-aefaab7f1bf8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_e45c82e9-44c9-488e-8269-aefaab7f1bf8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_62bdd15c-c002-49d5-b58d-9dd05d8d90ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_62bdd15c-c002-49d5-b58d-9dd05d8d90ae" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_ea9a42d0-7e2d-4df5-8701-56f38adc8e04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense_ea9a42d0-7e2d-4df5-8701-56f38adc8e04" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_ff98e559-6759-41e9-ab30-85899df4c85c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges_ff98e559-6759-41e9-ab30-85899df4c85c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_ab02a632-9910-4342-a9e2-7041391a3050" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts_ab02a632-9910-4342-a9e2-7041391a3050" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_a82a92a6-9d28-40b6-a12f-56ded7c8e404" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_a82a92a6-9d28-40b6-a12f-56ded7c8e404" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_45c0d5c3-dc5d-4d46-b37e-1124457cd6be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingReconcilingItemForOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentToConsolidatedLineItems_a26f4de6-c77e-418a-8966-7df5ab8dd296" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_45c0d5c3-dc5d-4d46-b37e-1124457cd6be" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedTable_45c0d5c3-dc5d-4d46-b37e-1124457cd6be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6225dd1f-e300-42be-8ec6-a56299be5d07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bf5753d6-e6fc-48e7-bffd-ea72a86c3670" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6225dd1f-e300-42be-8ec6-a56299be5d07" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_0c9b8960-e917-46eb-8d49-1f6bb7059621" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6225dd1f-e300-42be-8ec6-a56299be5d07" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_NurseAndAlliedStaffingMember_0c9b8960-e917-46eb-8d49-1f6bb7059621" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_dd1c4f7d-64b5-448b-a91b-332f7e7db8b0" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6225dd1f-e300-42be-8ec6-a56299be5d07" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_PhysicianStaffingMember_dd1c4f7d-64b5-448b-a91b-332f7e7db8b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/role/RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i70e281e36f734b2d9625f5a62dccbb7c_RELATEDPARTYTRANSACTIONSDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_16134e4a-3299-45a4-b520-410a9db2471d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e25d6284-7876-4d31-8488-ae74c65acb63" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_16134e4a-3299-45a4-b520-410a9db2471d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_e25d6284-7876-4d31-8488-ae74c65acb63" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRent_2b35265b-ac7f-4a9f-a180-6c2c3dfdfb38" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_16134e4a-3299-45a4-b520-410a9db2471d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRent_2b35265b-ac7f-4a9f-a180-6c2c3dfdfb38" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_c69be1f2-9154-4149-95d1-c6078cfb7360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_16134e4a-3299-45a4-b520-410a9db2471d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_c69be1f2-9154-4149-95d1-c6078cfb7360" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_7010db59-fce2-4485-ad20-ea9bff51df0a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems_16134e4a-3299-45a4-b520-410a9db2471d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_7010db59-fce2-4485-ad20-ea9bff51df0a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_7010db59-fce2-4485-ad20-ea9bff51df0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c378693e-ae93-4cee-a9dc-c7e640633e43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_f0110640-cfc5-42a5-9e65-014fa7b44ab3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c378693e-ae93-4cee-a9dc-c7e640633e43" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_8ef07107-c6bd-46ec-8e81-f99716079487" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2023/elts/srt-2023.xsd#srt_AffiliatedEntityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c378693e-ae93-4cee-a9dc-c7e640633e43" xlink:to="loc_srt_AffiliatedEntityMember_8ef07107-c6bd-46ec-8e81-f99716079487" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_65d7f406-e8d7-4ab6-96f2-6e0fdd1add6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_c378693e-ae93-4cee-a9dc-c7e640633e43" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyMember_65d7f406-e8d7-4ab6-96f2-6e0fdd1add6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyTable_7010db59-fce2-4485-ad20-ea9bff51df0a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_970594c3-9bed-4ca5-98bc-56786d045b19" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis_c4dcc402-2ea5-440a-9e52-ae24e93d5a81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_970594c3-9bed-4ca5-98bc-56786d045b19" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_ServicesProvidedEntitiesAffiliatedWithBoardMembersMember_1a95863b-7761-4538-ba47-a82fabf6f5f8" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_ServicesProvidedEntitiesAffiliatedWithBoardMembersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_970594c3-9bed-4ca5-98bc-56786d045b19" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_ServicesProvidedEntitiesAffiliatedWithBoardMembersMember_1a95863b-7761-4538-ba47-a82fabf6f5f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RentalOfWSGsHeadquartersMember_40c79388-5349-45af-956c-5504f5e1357d" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.xsd#ccrn_RentalOfWSGsHeadquartersMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionDomain_970594c3-9bed-4ca5-98bc-56786d045b19" xlink:to="loc_ccrn_RentalOfWSGsHeadquartersMember_40c79388-5349-45af-956c-5504f5e1357d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/AwardTypeOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/ecd/2023/ecd-2023.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/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.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="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2023/elts/us-gaap-2023.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="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ccrn_RestrictedStockAndPerformanceSharesMember_59766ba6-b886-4d0c-bfec-bdee29ff7000" xlink:href="ccrn-20230630.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_59766ba6-b886-4d0c-bfec-bdee29ff7000" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
