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

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2020 Workiva-->
<!--r:6291fd9b-0fc0-4157-a960-daad309c5cfd,g:b724af1b-ea07-439f-936e-0225d46166d8-->
<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.express.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#CoverPage"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/CoverPage" xlink:type="extended" id="i668fbc36dd594105acf28e60de4f86c7_CoverPage">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentType_ad123f67-035c-4076-b159-b73fe8bcc7b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentType"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentType_ad123f67-035c-4076-b159-b73fe8bcc7b4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_41c4dbbc-831d-4e14-a080-872d48f4742e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentQuarterlyReport_41c4dbbc-831d-4e14-a080-872d48f4742e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_c153c863-59fc-458a-abc0-4db9033f64bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate_c153c863-59fc-458a-abc0-4db9033f64bf" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_98b02e8a-4229-4407-af4e-42ecdc2c767b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_98b02e8a-4229-4407-af4e-42ecdc2c767b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_6d254d25-7eaf-413c-af81-3854ef3dbc21" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber_6d254d25-7eaf-413c-af81-3854ef3dbc21" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_c6a9d958-11ad-4a1f-b3f1-17838fc3a710" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityRegistrantName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityRegistrantName_c6a9d958-11ad-4a1f-b3f1-17838fc3a710" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_b97b1336-8405-44dc-a483-7121a61959ff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode_b97b1336-8405-44dc-a483-7121a61959ff" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_cae89f6e-ecd8-4497-96f4-cfce09e4f804" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber_cae89f6e-ecd8-4497-96f4-cfce09e4f804" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_8ebf8d0d-7b6d-4a1e-b063-9dacb22b17dc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1_8ebf8d0d-7b6d-4a1e-b063-9dacb22b17dc" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_111cb01d-9799-40e4-b042-1aa53a427496" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown_111cb01d-9799-40e4-b042-1aa53a427496" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_350472cb-c8ef-43dd-a7d1-8f4f41e8f6ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_350472cb-c8ef-43dd-a7d1-8f4f41e8f6ed" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_91ec31d9-36e6-45af-859c-a18ee1dc87f3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode_91ec31d9-36e6-45af-859c-a18ee1dc87f3" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_43833915-6dd8-4297-9f50-cfd0ea7cbec4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_CityAreaCode"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_CityAreaCode_43833915-6dd8-4297-9f50-cfd0ea7cbec4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_20220080-d7d6-4d1a-893f-a2673d268cb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_LocalPhoneNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_LocalPhoneNumber_20220080-d7d6-4d1a-893f-a2673d268cb7" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_40461930-ae64-4fd6-87b0-983e3b703294" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_Security12bTitle"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_Security12bTitle_40461930-ae64-4fd6-87b0-983e3b703294" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_a20c4930-2e0f-47a8-9166-dc82f982b114" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_TradingSymbol"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_TradingSymbol_a20c4930-2e0f-47a8-9166-dc82f982b114" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_5c69bf64-6f77-4927-af99-23f6209ff839" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_SecurityExchangeName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_SecurityExchangeName_5c69bf64-6f77-4927-af99-23f6209ff839" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_e6949f9a-c355-46d8-95e7-03972721bb3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_e6949f9a-c355-46d8-95e7-03972721bb3d" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_5c53f391-13ea-411c-add8-0a251b8579c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityInteractiveDataCurrent_5c53f391-13ea-411c-add8-0a251b8579c3" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_58ef1d9f-d344-499d-8ef4-9160482596c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory_58ef1d9f-d344-499d-8ef4-9160482596c3" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_c2ed5c95-5b13-451f-8022-055e6d2e409f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntitySmallBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntitySmallBusiness_c2ed5c95-5b13-451f-8022-055e6d2e409f" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_10c19cfa-945b-4b69-bc96-2130688012d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany_10c19cfa-945b-4b69-bc96-2130688012d7" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_ee8e1018-1dba-40aa-9fc0-9b4d2a00abb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityShellCompany"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityShellCompany_ee8e1018-1dba-40aa-9fc0-9b4d2a00abb2" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_7b992bb9-0240-493d-80a2-894bf5511b1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_7b992bb9-0240-493d-80a2-894bf5511b1e" xlink:type="arc" order="23"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_e25317b2-023a-4400-8082-6df03a2bb036" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_EntityCentralIndexKey"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityCentralIndexKey_e25317b2-023a-4400-8082-6df03a2bb036" xlink:type="arc" order="24"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_6ce3dc0d-8d26-442d-b1bc-d53647b1ad49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_CurrentFiscalYearEndDate_6ce3dc0d-8d26-442d-b1bc-d53647b1ad49" xlink:type="arc" order="25"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_1a440c60-a87f-4955-8e5b-df8a8734fe73" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalYearFocus_1a440c60-a87f-4955-8e5b-df8a8734fe73" xlink:type="arc" order="26"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_9413f342-d0bd-4d84-9cd0-56d46b663174" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentFiscalPeriodFocus_9413f342-d0bd-4d84-9cd0-56d46b663174" xlink:type="arc" order="27"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_625a34ba-3579-428a-b314-3e3bf9da7c11" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_AmendmentFlag"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_AmendmentFlag_625a34ba-3579-428a-b314-3e3bf9da7c11" xlink:type="arc" order="28"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_2820b545-6166-4f98-835c-5859a8756ef9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2020/dei-2020-01-31.xsd#dei_DocumentInformationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationLineItems_21d6288c-c536-401d-8fbd-b3b2f9a72ba8" xlink:to="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_2820b545-6166-4f98-835c-5859a8756ef9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentInformationTable_2820b545-6166-4f98-835c-5859a8756ef9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9103983c-b533-4056-82b4-0c60d1087360" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_99abd4dc-255e-445e-addc-3a6495bf10aa" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9103983c-b533-4056-82b4-0c60d1087360" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03f95bbb-26d7-4843-aa0a-257d3bca9b8e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9103983c-b533-4056-82b4-0c60d1087360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_03f95bbb-26d7-4843-aa0a-257d3bca9b8e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PreferredStockPurchaseRightsMember_a221478e-d9b2-4faa-af8c-98d8c53bc7a9" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PreferredStockPurchaseRightsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain_9103983c-b533-4056-82b4-0c60d1087360" xlink:to="loc_expr_PreferredStockPurchaseRightsMember_a221478e-d9b2-4faa-af8c-98d8c53bc7a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="extended" id="i745b5d2a23c942ccabf927ebdfbe316b_ConsolidatedBalanceSheets"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals" xlink:type="extended" id="ida3cedc04ea344f49424d2b87a78bfc1_ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="extended" id="ia8c4ce81af3844f08e840ef851cd963f_ConsolidatedStatementsofIncomeandComprehensiveIncome"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="icbfe6eabb12b4f2ba90452efd7a1888d_ConsolidatedStatementsofChangesinStockholdersEquity">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_097d5792-ca3f-47a6-8168-522164e291cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_097d5792-ca3f-47a6-8168-522164e291cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_31f0a0f5-a022-4560-9cfe-048177c365cf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_31f0a0f5-a022-4560-9cfe-048177c365cf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_674e7bc2-fa2e-4bc4-825f-6400c68b2d78" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_674e7bc2-fa2e-4bc4-825f-6400c68b2d78" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_ce75eece-ecea-41fa-a18d-6cec9c18e9e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_ce75eece-ecea-41fa-a18d-6cec9c18e9e9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_5eee1e47-b071-4900-ac74-f2845452f984" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_5eee1e47-b071-4900-ac74-f2845452f984" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_490fbc0a-ffd4-4d19-91f5-954cac3d6e10" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation_490fbc0a-ffd4-4d19-91f5-954cac3d6e10" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_bf1ff469-c9e8-4e64-b2c5-428b8194567d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensation_bf1ff469-c9e8-4e64-b2c5-428b8194567d" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_915a86fa-9c6a-4e91-a98a-31694c753488" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_915a86fa-9c6a-4e91-a98a-31694c753488" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_e19e641a-25d0-4e44-8171-207fd4c34d60" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_e19e641a-25d0-4e44-8171-207fd4c34d60" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_77245d13-1765-449c-acd6-b551c81fb31b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_457cfba4-b295-4746-81c2-8b128cebbfb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_77245d13-1765-449c-acd6-b551c81fb31b" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding_68c030a6-29a5-43d9-88be-5606f83a1857" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_1f309f66-0203-438b-8451-444b5cbb2a79" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares_0c818b8d-c313-4db6-93e8-49cabf8d8911" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_89fd5048-5879-426d-a186-4a60279def1d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_097d5792-ca3f-47a6-8168-522164e291cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList_89fd5048-5879-426d-a186-4a60279def1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4b83eb1c-08ba-418f-8ab0-369238b00fd4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_097d5792-ca3f-47a6-8168-522164e291cf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4b83eb1c-08ba-418f-8ab0-369238b00fd4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4b83eb1c-08ba-418f-8ab0-369238b00fd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_662f6a3c-596b-484b-9cc9-01a6368e97eb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_d8cb296b-e502-4527-ad97-ae3b6a546cc1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_d8cb296b-e502-4527-ad97-ae3b6a546cc1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_b215fad5-4998-490c-ae62-47b37c959f03" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_b215fad5-4998-490c-ae62-47b37c959f03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_7883bd2e-1d17-42ce-94ae-e850baa41d60" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_7883bd2e-1d17-42ce-94ae-e850baa41d60" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_b08ddd91-c597-486f-b44d-acff18252eca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_b08ddd91-c597-486f-b44d-acff18252eca" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_973bc829-370f-42e8-9d3b-7b67c092a2c8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_cdc85da2-4b8d-44fe-bb41-9d083b73e43a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockMember_973bc829-370f-42e8-9d3b-7b67c092a2c8" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_4b83eb1c-08ba-418f-8ab0-369238b00fd4" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_2060dc5f-44c2-40a0-afe4-6d7a417669df" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAxis_3ade15ec-902d-494f-bb31-203838eb768a" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_2060dc5f-44c2-40a0-afe4-6d7a417669df" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_601d092b-0157-4e40-a926-66bb380292f8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionDomain_2060dc5f-44c2-40a0-afe4-6d7a417669df" xlink:to="loc_srt_CumulativeEffectPeriodOfAdoptionAdjustmentMember_601d092b-0157-4e40-a926-66bb380292f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows" xlink:type="extended" id="i13d69d752c2244028364f377dca8b738_ConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlows"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation" xlink:type="extended" id="i465bbf517dbf4fcfb708d1e5263a8d66_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies" xlink:type="extended" id="i4e58911f7d3a4a578c06e0f39b880cbd_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationPolicies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i76cb9ee8c99942b7be32e092554472a2_DescriptionofBusinessandBasisofPresentationDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStores_36282a6b-6cb0-4708-8880-290222e9fbdd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfStores"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfStores_36282a6b-6cb0-4708-8880-290222e9fbdd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_StoresUnderFranchiseAgreements_0fc792f4-02f9-48be-843d-2f9912c8ddb8" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_StoresUnderFranchiseAgreements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_expr_StoresUnderFranchiseAgreements_0fc792f4-02f9-48be-843d-2f9912c8ddb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_dd02d78c-6095-4ff8-9c9e-d064326736c6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_dd02d78c-6095-4ff8-9c9e-d064326736c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves_018fc867-c3c7-4689-8a1e-35bdbd9bff40" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InventoryValuationReserves_018fc867-c3c7-4689-8a1e-35bdbd9bff40" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_5a7d66fe-dfac-44d8-a544-cfa3542574c1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_5a7d66fe-dfac-44d8-a544-cfa3542574c1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_fda12a53-6593-4428-89cf-5431b90fbcfd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities_fda12a53-6593-4428-89cf-5431b90fbcfd" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_62c9d9c3-d7e5-45f3-a443-ded25f405bf7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_62c9d9c3-d7e5-45f3-a443-ded25f405bf7" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationLineItems_a3e7c209-bac9-4ddb-98b4-2a45ef225cde" xlink:to="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_StoreTypeAxis_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_StoreTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:to="loc_expr_StoreTypeAxis_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f_default" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_StoreTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_expr_StoreTypeAxis_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f" xlink:to="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_52845e49-e9a7-42bf-93a0-b25b3224cf0b" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_StoreTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_expr_StoreTypeAxis_26e4ffa6-8dba-42d6-a74a-ba0a4bf2837f" xlink:to="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_52845e49-e9a7-42bf-93a0-b25b3224cf0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_c5eedee3-61fa-4a4f-ae13-f9c317eae1eb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetailMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_52845e49-e9a7-42bf-93a0-b25b3224cf0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_c5eedee3-61fa-4a4f-ae13-f9c317eae1eb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_OutletMember_5b642a77-695f-4abf-aad7-316cd3b0ebfb" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_OutletMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_StoreTypeDomain_52845e49-e9a7-42bf-93a0-b25b3224cf0b" xlink:to="loc_expr_OutletMember_5b642a77-695f-4abf-aad7-316cd3b0ebfb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c79c2634-78cd-4a90-90bc-fbe00d29550d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_eece9f75-d982-4514-91d2-5178302574ba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c79c2634-78cd-4a90-90bc-fbe00d29550d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_caa12614-8323-455c-be64-52c4df9cba89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_c79c2634-78cd-4a90-90bc-fbe00d29550d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_caa12614-8323-455c-be64-52c4df9cba89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a1a92d95-3f69-47cb-9376-bb5a84fdf029" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_ef2e25de-4f5e-45ee-bfbd-b9d59931e492" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a1a92d95-3f69-47cb-9376-bb5a84fdf029" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember_421cd540-cdfd-44c9-8f08-1e525fe0f244" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_a1a92d95-3f69-47cb-9376-bb5a84fdf029" xlink:to="loc_expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember_421cd540-cdfd-44c9-8f08-1e525fe0f244" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_expr_DescriptionOfBusinessAndBasisOfPresentationTable_677eacdf-ff7f-411e-a2b2-ee7eb8c5d15f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_32a1c11c-f189-45e9-b536-1cc953e7f1e4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_6b8df39d-7845-40ef-a8cd-4edc0115ca11" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_32a1c11c-f189-45e9-b536-1cc953e7f1e4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_5ff9fa31-efb7-408e-9bef-475da691264e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_32a1c11c-f189-45e9-b536-1cc953e7f1e4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_5ff9fa31-efb7-408e-9bef-475da691264e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognition" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognition"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognition" xlink:type="extended" id="i83565ab326fc4017b20c68df69acc2ed_RevenueRecognition"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i178b6a24282c42e39c761c47dc9c94cf_RevenueRecognitionTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRevenuebyMajorProductCategoriesandSalesChannelsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionRevenuebyMajorProductCategoriesandSalesChannelsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRevenuebyMajorProductCategoriesandSalesChannelsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7cea27837c844216bb99425b3b444ba3_RevenueRecognitionRevenuebyMajorProductCategoriesandSalesChannelsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_c04d9538-47d9-4a73-ab70-8e6cc72a06c7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_617d2d4d-c254-4f85-bf79-4dc76909b6d3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_c04d9538-47d9-4a73-ab70-8e6cc72a06c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax_617d2d4d-c254-4f85-bf79-4dc76909b6d3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_10b5519a-da8d-4763-a0cc-2346ca5bd5b0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_c04d9538-47d9-4a73-ab70-8e6cc72a06c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_10b5519a-da8d-4763-a0cc-2346ca5bd5b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_10b5519a-da8d-4763-a0cc-2346ca5bd5b0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_d614276a-f58a-460f-be3e-5523fd9d575a" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ApparelMember_6a781b8c-f750-4b5c-a5f0-edb767e9d7bf" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ApparelMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:to="loc_expr_ApparelMember_6a781b8c-f750-4b5c-a5f0-edb767e9d7bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_AccessoriesAndOtherMember_3411c7c1-572b-4915-916c-e624293ae69b" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_AccessoriesAndOtherMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:to="loc_expr_AccessoriesAndOtherMember_3411c7c1-572b-4915-916c-e624293ae69b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_c6321190-d61e-4ac3-8e3e-9ee553e2def0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetailMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetailMember_c6321190-d61e-4ac3-8e3e-9ee553e2def0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_OutletMember_58c691e2-e1f3-44db-9973-a7053f02ccdd" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_OutletMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:to="loc_expr_OutletMember_58c691e2-e1f3-44db-9973-a7053f02ccdd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_OtherRevenueMember_1cd89635-0117-4913-97e1-0f32e56de8f7" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_OtherRevenueMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bc4d4187-1098-44a8-80f4-154092da43a7" xlink:to="loc_expr_OtherRevenueMember_1cd89635-0117-4913-97e1-0f32e56de8f7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ie96db78e74c642d0b243a60d87fa09d9_RevenueRecognitionNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerRedemptionPeriodForRewardsEarned_737c6062-89ca-4096-9b8e-d7f621e7d73f" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ContractWithCustomerRedemptionPeriodForRewardsEarned"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:to="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerRedemptionPeriodForRewardsEarned_737c6062-89ca-4096-9b8e-d7f621e7d73f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability_bb0d203f-07ad-4402-96fc-3e21d9de81b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerRefundLiability_bb0d203f-07ad-4402-96fc-3e21d9de81b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_b8d7b1eb-b8cd-4adf-8176-4ac1f0ea3dc0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_b8d7b1eb-b8cd-4adf-8176-4ac1f0ea3dc0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_2f930968-ed27-4c4f-8bb5-209bb3d7a80c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_2f930968-ed27-4c4f-8bb5-209bb3d7a80c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_099e06b0-f3b0-4524-827e-6c9705134424" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_dd6130f8-9432-4456-9fba-3f066f1dfcc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_099e06b0-f3b0-4524-827e-6c9705134424" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_099e06b0-f3b0-4524-827e-6c9705134424" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4c219ac4-099d-474b-a723-f0dbd1c9ed34" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_96d4f53c-cd54-4437-a5f3-7fe300689a5f" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4c219ac4-099d-474b-a723-f0dbd1c9ed34" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ComenityBankMember_baf28f00-16eb-46a4-a581-3e963483d960" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ComenityBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_4c219ac4-099d-474b-a723-f0dbd1c9ed34" xlink:to="loc_expr_ComenityBankMember_baf28f00-16eb-46a4-a581-3e963483d960" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_099e06b0-f3b0-4524-827e-6c9705134424" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5996461a-db11-4aae-82c8-98d917f28803" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3302a946-4f7d-4f05-9e49-0d69b87d8737" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5996461a-db11-4aae-82c8-98d917f28803" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_765688ce-3185-41a4-8d0e-1b8d0b75c211" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5996461a-db11-4aae-82c8-98d917f28803" xlink:to="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_765688ce-3185-41a4-8d0e-1b8d0b75c211" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardMember_1e65f3d5-2d12-47f8-a6e5-c204d170be47" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditCardMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_5996461a-db11-4aae-82c8-98d917f28803" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditCardMember_1e65f3d5-2d12-47f8-a6e5-c204d170be47" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionLoyaltyDeferredRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionLoyaltyDeferredRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionLoyaltyDeferredRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i2bf3eaa3048a446da783440316067aec_RevenueRecognitionLoyaltyDeferredRevenueDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_3c6cd65d-d174-42b2-9849-da2cd3de4ab9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_d6eed78d-a54e-4959-ac4f-200ccd5b5f30" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_3c6cd65d-d174-42b2-9849-da2cd3de4ab9" xlink:to="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_d6eed78d-a54e-4959-ac4f-200ccd5b5f30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_8197a2a6-1df4-4678-aae0-6260c1703ff0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_d6eed78d-a54e-4959-ac4f-200ccd5b5f30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_8197a2a6-1df4-4678-aae0-6260c1703ff0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_1eafbaf4-6910-4d7e-b903-1b9b2c9d6ff9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_d6eed78d-a54e-4959-ac4f-200ccd5b5f30" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_1eafbaf4-6910-4d7e-b903-1b9b2c9d6ff9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_29c8ffc8-e45c-4457-b6ca-23e037c63ac8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bd7d80d2-3543-438d-a3b0-fabd1266e340" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_3c6cd65d-d174-42b2-9849-da2cd3de4ab9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bd7d80d2-3543-438d-a3b0-fabd1266e340" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_bd7d80d2-3543-438d-a3b0-fabd1266e340" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_a71816ba-3e47-4cf4-a8ed-f72d221a1def" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_aa2a808a-f6eb-421b-b4fa-f2bccb47d4b1" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_a71816ba-3e47-4cf4-a8ed-f72d221a1def" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_LoyaltyProgramMember_6077d3b1-0a9d-478a-8f67-b4f690b911a1" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_LoyaltyProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_a71816ba-3e47-4cf4-a8ed-f72d221a1def" xlink:to="loc_expr_LoyaltyProgramMember_6077d3b1-0a9d-478a-8f67-b4f690b911a1" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionGiftCardLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionGiftCardLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionGiftCardLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7e0158d1e4d64a57bf76f356186cc962_RevenueRecognitionGiftCardLiabilityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2aafe40b-377b-42b5-920b-f6f1c96d14f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_40552c13-80cf-435e-9695-7f54f4a340a7" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2aafe40b-377b-42b5-920b-f6f1c96d14f6" xlink:to="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_40552c13-80cf-435e-9695-7f54f4a340a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_57fd9345-a59b-4cf7-a665-c31f89204fcd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_40552c13-80cf-435e-9695-7f54f4a340a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_57fd9345-a59b-4cf7-a665-c31f89204fcd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_ecd7ec10-04e3-4058-8f98-91d274303eb0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_40552c13-80cf-435e-9695-7f54f4a340a7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInContractWithCustomerLiability_ecd7ec10-04e3-4058-8f98-91d274303eb0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent_ae0addf4-fa01-4f9d-89d0-823075fa369b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityCurrent"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_cb498916-5944-455d-9f04-77148f44eaec" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_2aafe40b-377b-42b5-920b-f6f1c96d14f6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_cb498916-5944-455d-9f04-77148f44eaec" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductOrServiceAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_cb498916-5944-455d-9f04-77148f44eaec" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bcfc9846-ac4f-4b2c-8ed9-ab43f26885da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductOrServiceAxis_3e8c965b-970c-4584-80d3-0c8e54c17b6c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bcfc9846-ac4f-4b2c-8ed9-ab43f26885da" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_e4f3e87b-bddd-41a2-81e0-031475c0f7d4" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_bcfc9846-ac4f-4b2c-8ed9-ab43f26885da" xlink:to="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_e4f3e87b-bddd-41a2-81e0-031475c0f7d4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_GiftCardIssuancesMember_aed2b0b2-8c47-4720-9a9e-585bd5ee4783" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_GiftCardIssuancesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_e4f3e87b-bddd-41a2-81e0-031475c0f7d4" xlink:to="loc_expr_GiftCardIssuancesMember_aed2b0b2-8c47-4720-9a9e-585bd5ee4783" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_GiftCardRedemptionsMember_6cc1f7a8-739f-41d8-8b96-94318e564666" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_GiftCardRedemptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_e4f3e87b-bddd-41a2-81e0-031475c0f7d4" xlink:to="loc_expr_GiftCardRedemptionsMember_6cc1f7a8-739f-41d8-8b96-94318e564666" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_GiftCardBreakageMember_35f76146-11db-44ec-b0ad-8d4fd37e00f3" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_GiftCardBreakageMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_GiftCardLiabilityMember_e4f3e87b-bddd-41a2-81e0-031475c0f7d4" xlink:to="loc_expr_GiftCardBreakageMember_35f76146-11db-44ec-b0ad-8d4fd37e00f3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRefundablePaymentLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#RevenueRecognitionRefundablePaymentLiabilityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/RevenueRecognitionRefundablePaymentLiabilityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i4383dda09a9c4ad696c3559f1fe8e32f_RevenueRecognitionRefundablePaymentLiabilityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_48372fbf-8fc1-49fc-99f9-9bf48a73fb3a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_1f02bcb0-73e0-44b2-8b4e-8a5926afa6ec" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_48372fbf-8fc1-49fc-99f9-9bf48a73fb3a" xlink:to="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_1f02bcb0-73e0-44b2-8b4e-8a5926afa6ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_c85aadb1-41d1-4db6-8f24-23117abf93b2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_1f02bcb0-73e0-44b2-8b4e-8a5926afa6ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_c85aadb1-41d1-4db6-8f24-23117abf93b2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_27a665e7-0382-4f33-81f5-7c97d49b49f6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_expr_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRollForward_1f02bcb0-73e0-44b2-8b4e-8a5926afa6ec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiabilityRevenueRecognized_27a665e7-0382-4f33-81f5-7c97d49b49f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability_1c116a2c-9a75-4a87-89f1-300741cd9c45" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerLiability"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6ae9eaed-d5cb-4df3-869e-2985c23ab1f5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_48372fbf-8fc1-49fc-99f9-9bf48a73fb3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6ae9eaed-d5cb-4df3-869e-2985c23ab1f5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_CounterpartyNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6ae9eaed-d5cb-4df3-869e-2985c23ab1f5" xlink:to="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_508646a7-dc52-4c7b-abbe-d98f764f0ad9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_CounterpartyNameAxis_06117acb-56cb-4301-8f1b-2510bba36c91" xlink:to="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_508646a7-dc52-4c7b-abbe-d98f764f0ad9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ComenityBankMember_984fb9ea-af4e-493c-b842-429a4a35e944" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ComenityBankMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_508646a7-dc52-4c7b-abbe-d98f764f0ad9" xlink:to="loc_expr_ComenityBankMember_984fb9ea-af4e-493c-b842-429a4a35e944" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#EarningsPerShare"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="extended" id="ib41a6c9a4b3d471991c09f1655a133af_EarningsPerShare"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="extended" id="ic61500c123084bc5a2de6e61a50fb365_EarningsPerShareTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedEarningsperShareDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#EarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedEarningsperShareDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedEarningsperShareDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ibf8680e9a0764673b0c0dc3273eb174f_EarningsPerShareBasicandDilutedEarningsperShareDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="idf5c241076644769a01eff489398a653_EarningsPerShareNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_f1841b01-4d7e-4f48-b6f8-7b572050e91d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_46d9cd26-419e-4079-be3d-e1918d24f294" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_f1841b01-4d7e-4f48-b6f8-7b572050e91d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_46d9cd26-419e-4079-be3d-e1918d24f294" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_5381f500-1439-4fae-81d7-653f89dd04da" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_f1841b01-4d7e-4f48-b6f8-7b572050e91d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_5381f500-1439-4fae-81d7-653f89dd04da" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_5381f500-1439-4fae-81d7-653f89dd04da" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_ad5c4402-020e-4440-8177-79f361fe41bd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_67e1047c-375b-48d0-bd80-7ee40a8c117b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_ad5c4402-020e-4440-8177-79f361fe41bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_e9005c09-59eb-482f-b6d7-9f44eff8ff98" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_ad5c4402-020e-4440-8177-79f361fe41bd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_e9005c09-59eb-482f-b6d7-9f44eff8ff98" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="extended" id="ic3e4beeae0894234a997b096c241fb54_FairValueMeasurements"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="extended" id="iefc990efc80b460b9b0e51daebc57f3a_FairValueMeasurementsTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueofAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsFairValueofAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueofAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i503d8fc4a44046faab5f434081af52a8_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueofAssetsMeasuredonRecurringBasisDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d102cecb-8a32-4725-857e-1f289df960ea" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_1c3ec919-5ff5-42bf-a1db-038f3b14dceb" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d102cecb-8a32-4725-857e-1f289df960ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure_1c3ec919-5ff5-42bf-a1db-038f3b14dceb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_99182bb3-5ea5-4d05-bc8b-97c24ef81be6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_d102cecb-8a32-4725-857e-1f289df960ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_99182bb3-5ea5-4d05-bc8b-97c24ef81be6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_99182bb3-5ea5-4d05-bc8b-97c24ef81be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d847220d-42a3-4c96-a2e4-19160239976b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_cb5b7ecc-2443-4d54-9b80-5a627f24ab6e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d847220d-42a3-4c96-a2e4-19160239976b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_d7284e3e-c65d-4dce-9be1-d79fc692745e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_d847220d-42a3-4c96-a2e4-19160239976b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_d7284e3e-c65d-4dce-9be1-d79fc692745e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_99182bb3-5ea5-4d05-bc8b-97c24ef81be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a0aef499-3d8a-4dd8-b3e1-8d091c5ff6f4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_1a7f283c-e75d-40e3-b55e-244886dec78a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a0aef499-3d8a-4dd8-b3e1-8d091c5ff6f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_1351eaca-34e5-4821-a994-2dee78ad2ae0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a0aef499-3d8a-4dd8-b3e1-8d091c5ff6f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_1351eaca-34e5-4821-a994-2dee78ad2ae0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_5f4eedf0-95c2-4a83-bbc2-c72668b5733b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a0aef499-3d8a-4dd8-b3e1-8d091c5ff6f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_5f4eedf0-95c2-4a83-bbc2-c72668b5733b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_1e730922-4c75-4b23-ab2d-bc7ddb1aa9d0" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a0aef499-3d8a-4dd8-b3e1-8d091c5ff6f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_1e730922-4c75-4b23-ab2d-bc7ddb1aa9d0" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_99182bb3-5ea5-4d05-bc8b-97c24ef81be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2eec070-1490-431c-aa82-ba986d0b90b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_759ce438-3387-4242-8c26-9eca3d6f9ff9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2eec070-1490-431c-aa82-ba986d0b90b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_cf81457b-8002-473d-a6ee-6c2a073828c4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2eec070-1490-431c-aa82-ba986d0b90b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MoneyMarketFundsMember_cf81457b-8002-473d-a6ee-6c2a073828c4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if43d4ca6bb1b43548406307c31cdb22c_FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="extended" id="ibee4309a98814d7ca926d4dbfbc1daf0_IncomeTaxes"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i445b00af44c341718df79c916f920512_IncomeTaxesDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_76f3a976-8931-41ce-9446-819932be710c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_76f3a976-8931-41ce-9446-819932be710c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_28765f2b-505e-4d3f-aa63-8fde5275f72b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInDeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_28765f2b-505e-4d3f-aa63-8fde5275f72b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitCARESActAmount_d45f7324-7024-493c-bdc2-b21ec5b29ef7" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitCARESActAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitCARESActAmount_d45f7324-7024-493c-bdc2-b21ec5b29ef7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInForecastedAnnualEffectiveTaxRateAmount_fd0259e8-c5bd-46fe-ab6a-55fa22132f56" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInForecastedAnnualEffectiveTaxRateAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_expr_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationChangeInForecastedAnnualEffectiveTaxRateAmount_fd0259e8-c5bd-46fe-ab6a-55fa22132f56" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_4c57ea57-3b44-44fa-beef-f4f500ca44e9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationNondeductibleExpenseShareBasedCompensationCost_4c57ea57-3b44-44fa-beef-f4f500ca44e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_d9f159e5-ff8b-433e-85a4-29792961fd2d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceLineItems_0546716c-00df-4dea-9f12-1f1c39c37419" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_d9f159e5-ff8b-433e-85a4-29792961fd2d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceTable_d9f159e5-ff8b-433e-85a4-29792961fd2d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8832bed6-1879-40a2-b476-1be64e369a12" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceByDeferredTaxAssetAxis_a7e2c7aa-d7dd-4b83-934f-1a3fa9e6eee8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8832bed6-1879-40a2-b476-1be64e369a12" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PreviouslyRecognizedDeferredTaxAssetsMember_6909d98f-8b45-4069-be77-41daaef74ba8" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PreviouslyRecognizedDeferredTaxAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8832bed6-1879-40a2-b476-1be64e369a12" xlink:to="loc_expr_PreviouslyRecognizedDeferredTaxAssetsMember_6909d98f-8b45-4069-be77-41daaef74ba8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_FederalStateAndLocalIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxCreditsMember_71abf2f9-a7c8-4529-aa5e-1690eb99d7cc" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_FederalStateAndLocalIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxCreditsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetDomain_8832bed6-1879-40a2-b476-1be64e369a12" xlink:to="loc_expr_FederalStateAndLocalIncomeTaxesAndOtherTaxCreditsMember_71abf2f9-a7c8-4529-aa5e-1690eb99d7cc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#Leases"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/Leases" xlink:type="extended" id="i6c55f62c5d934144b8827aa56dd60c72_Leases"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#LeasesTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesTables" xlink:type="extended" id="id61711769c6c49fba0a0bfb8c0d2901c_LeasesTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#LeasesNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i3dc99fee67344fb9bc6f428a004206f9_LeasesNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_011f1c01-ad18-4d94-abce-cdb44adebbd2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseTermOfContract_011f1c01-ad18-4d94-abce-cdb44adebbd2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions_31ae02b0-7a4e-4cfd-95b3-468620413747" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:to="loc_expr_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions_31ae02b0-7a4e-4cfd-95b3-468620413747" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_fdae04c3-9d4e-4792-a4da-8fab8871096a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_fdae04c3-9d4e-4792-a4da-8fab8871096a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedRentCurrent_53b318b0-f6a0-4f6c-8f7f-e7280e425202" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedRentCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedRentCurrent_53b318b0-f6a0-4f6c-8f7f-e7280e425202" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d2b66489-a8e5-46ee-831f-01ae676f4ab6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_b40e8e3d-249c-4332-8aa5-e588694a0be6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d2b66489-a8e5-46ee-831f-01ae676f4ab6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d2b66489-a8e5-46ee-831f-01ae676f4ab6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2be9cf28-307f-40fc-a544-d2c7d80db13a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9c2a7c8-8504-4e9b-98f0-1da9cb0ce417" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2be9cf28-307f-40fc-a544-d2c7d80db13a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_15971376-2209-42cb-9c17-077b7b256ebc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2be9cf28-307f-40fc-a544-d2c7d80db13a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_15971376-2209-42cb-9c17-077b7b256ebc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_09459411-9f5c-4793-84b2-f11c387e918b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2be9cf28-307f-40fc-a544-d2c7d80db13a" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_09459411-9f5c-4793-84b2-f11c387e918b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_d2b66489-a8e5-46ee-831f-01ae676f4ab6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7537eb2f-d064-49df-a4d3-c68629d4bc54" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_47e3e844-81f2-433d-b73a-6110e24a248b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7537eb2f-d064-49df-a4d3-c68629d4bc54" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_StoresMember_1dbd2c54-3fe2-4b92-b761-7f92120d850a" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_StoresMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7537eb2f-d064-49df-a4d3-c68629d4bc54" xlink:to="loc_expr_StoresMember_1dbd2c54-3fe2-4b92-b761-7f92120d850a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_bfcf5565-ad97-4742-b1ff-8afa2128cc22" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_OfficeBuildingMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7537eb2f-d064-49df-a4d3-c68629d4bc54" xlink:to="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_bfcf5565-ad97-4742-b1ff-8afa2128cc22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_EquipmentAndOtherAssetsMember_7ebcc4a4-3b95-4042-b7f8-ba0718ab7b3c" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_EquipmentAndOtherAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_7537eb2f-d064-49df-a4d3-c68629d4bc54" xlink:to="loc_expr_EquipmentAndOtherAssetsMember_7ebcc4a4-3b95-4042-b7f8-ba0718ab7b3c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#LeasesSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/LeasesSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7c80d9f446dd4485a0e34be66fe7c808_LeasesSupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#Debt"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/Debt" xlink:type="extended" id="ia029b9cb8edd4b80b162f54c954f3ad8_Debt"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#DebtDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/DebtDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i507e90f89b4b4e1389ad28df53c4d003_DebtDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_8a5aabc2-170e-4f7a-bef3-ef308e08610f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_8a5aabc2-170e-4f7a-bef3-ef308e08610f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_83a666ec-e8fd-4f08-8b65-fc393358462c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLongTermLinesOfCredit_83a666ec-e8fd-4f08-8b65-fc393358462c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_106ba10b-db46-4f1f-af26-5ab00c2c5488" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_106ba10b-db46-4f1f-af26-5ab00c2c5488" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_359467cd-db8a-4362-bad4-ee6e189f98a3" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_359467cd-db8a-4362-bad4-ee6e189f98a3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8db6232f-ad76-423c-b6de-96f1499bf8b6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_8db6232f-ad76-423c-b6de-96f1499bf8b6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateFloor_b454530c-f875-4a19-973c-c4c28ed1e30c" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateFloor"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateFloor_b454530c-f875-4a19-973c-c4c28ed1e30c" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PercentPerAnnumAboveFederalFundsRate_49cf67c9-72bf-43ef-8a48-2034dffbfdf5" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PercentPerAnnumAboveFederalFundsRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_PercentPerAnnumAboveFederalFundsRate_49cf67c9-72bf-43ef-8a48-2034dffbfdf5" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PercentAboveEurodollarRate_ec8aef1c-4477-4014-8415-e1f84bed3f9c" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PercentAboveEurodollarRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_PercentAboveEurodollarRate_ec8aef1c-4477-4014-8415-e1f84bed3f9c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_MinimumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances_9d4e9ce7-677d-4877-9504-55bce1491910" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_MinimumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_MinimumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances_9d4e9ce7-677d-4877-9504-55bce1491910" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_MaximumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances_fdad2283-b867-4ded-ac7f-9514b87b430e" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_MaximumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_MaximumMarginForEurodollarRateBasedAdvances_fdad2283-b867-4ded-ac7f-9514b87b430e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_MinimumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances_d9462bbe-f430-40c3-aa24-efd2247462cf" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_MinimumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_MinimumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances_d9462bbe-f430-40c3-aa24-efd2247462cf" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_MaximumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances_3defb6e8-c057-466e-a34b-c886bd0bb830" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_MaximumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_MaximumMarginForBaseRateBasedAdvances_3defb6e8-c057-466e-a34b-c886bd0bb830" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisOfSpreadOnVariableRateInEventOfDefault_76ffa543-be6e-4b08-86b0-6a56c096388d" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_DebtInstrumentBasisOfSpreadOnVariableRateInEventOfDefault"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisOfSpreadOnVariableRateInEventOfDefault_76ffa543-be6e-4b08-86b0-6a56c096388d" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateOverdueInterest_0e12c3ae-f78d-4e72-a5d6-10d072d0cc1a" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateOverdueInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateOverdueInterest_0e12c3ae-f78d-4e72-a5d6-10d072d0cc1a" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_15886662-c130-40b4-953a-9c63e038f532" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_15886662-c130-40b4-953a-9c63e038f532" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_FixedChargeRatioNumerator_c822b590-ee6e-4b50-8fe7-202ac4689c71" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_FixedChargeRatioNumerator"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_FixedChargeRatioNumerator_c822b590-ee6e-4b50-8fe7-202ac4689c71" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_FixedChargeRatioDenominator_3c368ab8-a462-47f3-9bc7-ba08860d2407" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_FixedChargeRatioDenominator"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_FixedChargeRatioDenominator_3c368ab8-a462-47f3-9bc7-ba08860d2407" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PercentOfBorrowingBaseInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction_cfd9919a-6695-47d1-a31b-c6c837840ad7" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PercentOfBorrowingBaseInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_PercentOfBorrowingBaseInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction_cfd9919a-6695-47d1-a31b-c6c837840ad7" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_NumberOfDaysInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction_c07535a9-f0b8-4866-96b4-2b55ff89ef14" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_NumberOfDaysInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_NumberOfDaysInFixedChargeCoverageRatioRestriction_c07535a9-f0b8-4866-96b4-2b55ff89ef14" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_LineOfCreditFacilityExcessAvailabilityPercentage_12c70e58-39ce-4b03-a179-bfc0a9dee4ed" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_LineOfCreditFacilityExcessAvailabilityPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_expr_LineOfCreditFacilityExcessAvailabilityPercentage_12c70e58-39ce-4b03-a179-bfc0a9dee4ed" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_67440da0-517a-4543-beeb-238501c59c8b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5f4ed324-0ce7-49d3-b261-4a386e83f063" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_89b1c66d-868a-441c-bc39-792a7a5b1edc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5f4ed324-0ce7-49d3-b261-4a386e83f063" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EurodollarMember_8e6c5433-cdac-49a5-90dc-0d78dfb2d309" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EurodollarMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5f4ed324-0ce7-49d3-b261-4a386e83f063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EurodollarMember_8e6c5433-cdac-49a5-90dc-0d78dfb2d309" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrimeRateMember_9960cf3a-99c5-4c7f-855a-19aac7ec9002" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrimeRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5f4ed324-0ce7-49d3-b261-4a386e83f063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrimeRateMember_9960cf3a-99c5-4c7f-855a-19aac7ec9002" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember_f324c539-d5e5-4ed9-8fa5-a4e54b426b69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5f4ed324-0ce7-49d3-b261-4a386e83f063" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FederalFundsEffectiveSwapRateMember_f324c539-d5e5-4ed9-8fa5-a4e54b426b69" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_60ddbdc4-a096-4e3a-af97-b99d2d8676a6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_45fbdb5d-c019-4e2c-887c-ccb63db71731" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_60ddbdc4-a096-4e3a-af97-b99d2d8676a6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fd91a16c-b683-43a9-9f09-5de22d42ca85" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_60ddbdc4-a096-4e3a-af97-b99d2d8676a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember_fd91a16c-b683-43a9-9f09-5de22d42ca85" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_c640fc67-69b7-4d34-8212-6ff4e45e98bf" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_60ddbdc4-a096-4e3a-af97-b99d2d8676a6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_c640fc67-69b7-4d34-8212-6ff4e45e98bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_894b1cae-8b97-418f-a32e-508565378603" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis_dd4b1179-ac7b-46b5-9223-748969a7c424" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_894b1cae-8b97-418f-a32e-508565378603" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_3930880a-bf71-4339-a7dd-31b24ca2c84f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_894b1cae-8b97-418f-a32e-508565378603" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember_3930880a-bf71-4339-a7dd-31b24ca2c84f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_82623756-2399-4554-b634-8b3816afb51f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain_894b1cae-8b97-418f-a32e-508565378603" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember_82623756-2399-4554-b634-8b3816afb51f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_4b8ac13f-d4b3-4fe0-9941-059e70b0ec00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef76568d-a829-4c93-b052-d8d8f59dba89" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis_9aaf86b0-b253-4cb7-8cec-bdd9e5177f2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef76568d-a829-4c93-b052-d8d8f59dba89" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f4dc69d-96d2-4020-b91b-82588e984307" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentNameDomain_ef76568d-a829-4c93-b052-d8d8f59dba89" xlink:to="loc_expr_FirstAmendmentToTheSecondAmendedAndRestatedAssetBasedLoanCreditAgreementMember_7f4dc69d-96d2-4020-b91b-82588e984307" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensation" xlink:type="extended" id="ief27ea0242614dc19946b9ae4c345128_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationTables" xlink:type="extended" id="i390429a85e534332a527c58e5239fcd6_ShareBasedCompensationTables"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i7c7e52b97b3a44cf88dc07eaf312d38d_ShareBasedCompensationNarrativeDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_b83fa064-3f6a-431f-89e5-dd3b06d5b185" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized_b83fa064-3f6a-431f-89e5-dd3b06d5b185" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_62bdbbc1-809e-4709-b046-cd707be76d55" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_62bdbbc1-809e-4709-b046-cd707be76d55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_adbcd57e-c455-4b63-b96b-da5b4cfff119" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_adbcd57e-c455-4b63-b96b-da5b4cfff119" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_26a334e1-9ec1-4c4a-94a3-b381b37fa3dd" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_26a334e1-9ec1-4c4a-94a3-b381b37fa3dd" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_6d5ac947-c1f1-4039-8396-73d76b24fb8e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedShareBasedAwardsOtherThanOptions_6d5ac947-c1f1-4039-8396-73d76b24fb8e" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ba94b72b-c990-4115-8841-41711ffbb9a9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1_ba94b72b-c990-4115-8841-41711ffbb9a9" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions_2b94035d-5ed2-49ef-a035-068cf27f5e69" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedStockOptions_2b94035d-5ed2-49ef-a035-068cf27f5e69" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTargetPercentage_7e7f7bb0-97b4-478a-8669-cda02ff6091c" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTargetPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_expr_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsTargetPercentage_7e7f7bb0-97b4-478a-8669-cda02ff6091c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber_65ddddcf-8a0c-49c0-bd69-1a64fe664664" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber_65ddddcf-8a0c-49c0-bd69-1a64fe664664" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_461077e7-f939-4fa6-9e05-b19eb022a77d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_a24e29b0-a2d4-40b9-9dbb-154a209dc654" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_461077e7-f939-4fa6-9e05-b19eb022a77d" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_461077e7-f939-4fa6-9e05-b19eb022a77d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bc1b0d4b-876f-40c1-8017-74d9a6f0e090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6d6f2839-5410-4c3f-b84a-cc8b90ec61fe" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_6d6f2839-5410-4c3f-b84a-cc8b90ec61fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_8279ed3b-bc45-4ad9-b1fb-eaeb087bcffc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_8279ed3b-bc45-4ad9-b1fb-eaeb087bcffc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember_a0c9573b-935e-45e4-889d-c063f0be4fbb" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:to="loc_expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember_a0c9573b-935e-45e4-889d-c063f0be4fbb" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_TimeBasedCashSettledAwardsMember_70e3866f-e252-4cdd-a0ae-8ffd41ef66b3" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_TimeBasedCashSettledAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:to="loc_expr_TimeBasedCashSettledAwardsMember_70e3866f-e252-4cdd-a0ae-8ffd41ef66b3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PerformanceBasedCashSettledAwardsMember_be596d11-268b-4710-9df9-4637091a22a1" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PerformanceBasedCashSettledAwardsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_0ec218e3-4ad4-4f11-b028-a5b2d4deada6" xlink:to="loc_expr_PerformanceBasedCashSettledAwardsMember_be596d11-268b-4710-9df9-4637091a22a1" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_461077e7-f939-4fa6-9e05-b19eb022a77d" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_ddc57fc6-8ef9-41b8-9fb5-2b0c83a1aeca" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_0ff64c00-b49e-4318-80fe-5126336fc6a6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_ddc57fc6-8ef9-41b8-9fb5-2b0c83a1aeca" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_df19b18f-6824-4269-979b-0abcc9c99b0b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ddc57fc6-8ef9-41b8-9fb5-2b0c83a1aeca" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_df19b18f-6824-4269-979b-0abcc9c99b0b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_30fc2643-40de-44eb-99ff-8f07b571a77f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_ddc57fc6-8ef9-41b8-9fb5-2b0c83a1aeca" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_30fc2643-40de-44eb-99ff-8f07b571a77f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSharedbasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationSharedbasedCompensationExpenseDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationSharedbasedCompensationExpenseDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i49d6b47a3efd40ec90c57ad47a06dacb_ShareBasedCompensationSharedbasedCompensationExpenseDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_ffb24208-4e23-4dc8-ae49-d36e84b54aba" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_c3bb9fae-7ac1-4335-bedf-67bd99939305" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_ffb24208-4e23-4dc8-ae49-d36e84b54aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation_c3bb9fae-7ac1-4335-bedf-67bd99939305" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_7996db2f-4a14-4fe4-95fb-db57ed35f691" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsLineItems_ffb24208-4e23-4dc8-ae49-d36e84b54aba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_7996db2f-4a14-4fe4-95fb-db57ed35f691" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationAllocationOfRecognizedPeriodCostsTable_7996db2f-4a14-4fe4-95fb-db57ed35f691" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a4253fd5-7fd1-48ce-8b54-0a82ac771ee9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_f3fbef19-4a2c-4082-ab79-9a9981da9e70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a4253fd5-7fd1-48ce-8b54-0a82ac771ee9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_3fb55f50-1a03-4e51-b766-bf2e68818a66" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a4253fd5-7fd1-48ce-8b54-0a82ac771ee9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_3fb55f50-1a03-4e51-b766-bf2e68818a66" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_59c93126-d333-445c-beff-76a3ca850db1" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a4253fd5-7fd1-48ce-8b54-0a82ac771ee9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_59c93126-d333-445c-beff-76a3ca850db1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember_9d8db443-65a9-4798-be03-b94d34a99705" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a4253fd5-7fd1-48ce-8b54-0a82ac771ee9" xlink:to="loc_expr_PerformanceSharesRestrictedStockUnitsMember_9d8db443-65a9-4798-be03-b94d34a99705" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationScheduleofRestrictedStockUnitsIncludingAwardswithPerformanceConditionsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationScheduleofRestrictedStockUnitsIncludingAwardswithPerformanceConditionsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationScheduleofRestrictedStockUnitsIncludingAwardswithPerformanceConditionsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="ia861c93eb64642728209cee58ff54f11_ShareBasedCompensationScheduleofRestrictedStockUnitsIncludingAwardswithPerformanceConditionsDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_de0bfea4-7fea-477b-92bf-27b87d87e6c2" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_de0bfea4-7fea-477b-92bf-27b87d87e6c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_007dae68-b041-45e1-ad77-ec375197bd8b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_007dae68-b041-45e1-ad77-ec375197bd8b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_397a40c5-13dc-4d7a-9b89-51580d1f9592" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_397a40c5-13dc-4d7a-9b89-51580d1f9592" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d5a762cc-fd80-4669-8624-fae9531686c4" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_d5a762cc-fd80-4669-8624-fae9531686c4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_e9d0a950-8393-47de-8fd8-c792f0de971a" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_8026a2b4-a474-4639-8b89-671ce1ecbf97" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_e9d0a950-8393-47de-8fd8-c792f0de971a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_4881b798-fad0-4998-954c-f06711834590" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_de0bfea4-7fea-477b-92bf-27b87d87e6c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_eabfb04a-3d69-4d7a-9571-e11bd14588fa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_eabfb04a-3d69-4d7a-9571-e11bd14588fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e43f9896-e6e1-47e7-815d-c57a0f11d6dc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e43f9896-e6e1-47e7-815d-c57a0f11d6dc" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d6482a0f-698e-4bc1-8052-88e11994f3a5" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d6482a0f-698e-4bc1-8052-88e11994f3a5" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1bf88257-18d9-43ce-8090-34a12203e457" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_f413b04c-7659-4d9f-b693-109f258f5c3b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_1bf88257-18d9-43ce-8090-34a12203e457" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_69d916d2-f082-4fbe-93df-33c1e582053e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_340114cc-596f-4979-be86-3f74e37bd4fc" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_de0bfea4-7fea-477b-92bf-27b87d87e6c2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_340114cc-596f-4979-be86-3f74e37bd4fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_340114cc-596f-4979-be86-3f74e37bd4fc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_85117b16-08ba-489b-9d9f-a894bba3b4ae" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_ca78e11b-b148-4eb4-9b6f-fa90d3406a1d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_85117b16-08ba-489b-9d9f-a894bba3b4ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_0ddfefc9-dd25-47c2-a9c0-8b74417d9a17" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_85117b16-08ba-489b-9d9f-a894bba3b4ae" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember_0ddfefc9-dd25-47c2-a9c0-8b74417d9a17" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="icd89974a849a4b55a77960e6d99693ea_ShareBasedCompensationStockOptionsActivityDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/CommitmentsandContingencies" xlink:type="extended" id="ib66803b641084d14a93432d2f8262ad8_CommitmentsandContingencies"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/InvestmentinEquityInterests" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#InvestmentinEquityInterests"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/InvestmentinEquityInterests" xlink:type="extended" id="ie345ce13662044d9a08402cade336d36_InvestmentinEquityInterests"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/InvestmentinEquityInterestsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#InvestmentinEquityInterestsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/InvestmentinEquityInterestsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="if874122983224341a7eaef2f6e2f4374_InvestmentinEquityInterestsEquityMethodInvestmentsDetails"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/StockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended" id="i9536706451ca4da196f83b3eba1f94dd_StockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.express.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#StockholdersEquityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.express.com/role/StockholdersEquityDetails" xlink:type="extended" id="i6c78e3341c874ce79fdb4d401ba4f2c3_StockholdersEquityDetails">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_b7b0dcb6-f8d2-4041-8afc-ded00acec311" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_b7b0dcb6-f8d2-4041-8afc-ded00acec311" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_2f51e54f-22d0-4c1d-907d-166f16535d9c" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired_2f51e54f-22d0-4c1d-907d-166f16535d9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_5b03c349-d543-4af4-a737-3614437da70e" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod_5b03c349-d543-4af4-a737-3614437da70e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_28e34a62-3482-43c7-a4a2-7eb333a230aa" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_28e34a62-3482-43c7-a4a2-7eb333a230aa" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_364c5d7e-dbcf-4c1e-bba0-6ac82b0bc43d" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_364c5d7e-dbcf-4c1e-bba0-6ac82b0bc43d" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfRightsIssuedPerSecurity_a0a2832a-dab5-4192-86c7-9acd054bb5a4" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfRightsIssuedPerSecurity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfRightsIssuedPerSecurity_a0a2832a-dab5-4192-86c7-9acd054bb5a4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableMinimumOwnershipPercentage_632acf26-b871-4856-8944-20492cb2b801" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableMinimumOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableMinimumOwnershipPercentage_632acf26-b871-4856-8944-20492cb2b801" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableCertainPassiveInvestorsMinimumOwnershipPercentage_18e5762f-cc6f-485d-8b8b-0e5a239255c4" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableCertainPassiveInvestorsMinimumOwnershipPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExercisableCertainPassiveInvestorsMinimumOwnershipPercentage_18e5762f-cc6f-485d-8b8b-0e5a239255c4" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExerciseDiscountPercentage_4191d8fc-bbdc-41c0-8be3-7564f895ec36" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExerciseDiscountPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightExerciseDiscountPercentage_4191d8fc-bbdc-41c0-8be3-7564f895ec36" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightMinimumOwnershipPercentageGrandfatheredFromTriggeringEvent_3f3b9d67-9ff5-4411-a123-f8c017eae814" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightMinimumOwnershipPercentageGrandfatheredFromTriggeringEvent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_expr_ClassOfWarrantOrRightMinimumOwnershipPercentageGrandfatheredFromTriggeringEvent_3f3b9d67-9ff5-4411-a123-f8c017eae814" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_cb23326b-21d8-4016-b20c-ccd395b2166f" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ClassOfStockLineItems_6161d042-b310-4d83-95da-563bfc06e340" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_cb23326b-21d8-4016-b20c-ccd395b2166f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfStockByClassTable_cb23326b-21d8-4016-b20c-ccd395b2166f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725_default" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d5cc2925-88e9-4bdb-801a-2ad1952eddb9" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_e6f9f0b9-5c99-422b-abff-7f599cd88725" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d5cc2925-88e9-4bdb-801a-2ad1952eddb9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_expr_ShareRepurchaseProgram2017Member_52def0e3-7112-4e1b-b245-9150bf49c30a" xlink:href="expr-20201031.xsd#expr_ShareRepurchaseProgram2017Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_d5cc2925-88e9-4bdb-801a-2ad1952eddb9" xlink:to="loc_expr_ShareRepurchaseProgram2017Member_52def0e3-7112-4e1b-b245-9150bf49c30a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
