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

<!--XBRL Document Created with the Workiva Platform-->
<!--Copyright 2025 Workiva-->
<!--r:b2a88373-7aaa-4b24-a3fc-844fd9c184fa,g:271feb50-5c1f-4bca-b7e0-abdacbbec2cb-->
<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.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/AuditInformation" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#AuditInformation"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/AuditInformation" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AuditorLineItems_82e8a6ef-7b69-4968-bd72-8dd2b7f544ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_AuditorLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AuditorTable_978e9ef3-dfdf-4707-ba61-0773a1456814" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_AuditorTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_dei_AuditorLineItems_82e8a6ef-7b69-4968-bd72-8dd2b7f544ca" xlink:to="loc_dei_AuditorTable_978e9ef3-dfdf-4707-ba61-0773a1456814" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_LegalEntityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_dei_AuditorTable_978e9ef3-dfdf-4707-ba61-0773a1456814" xlink:to="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityDomain_77571f8e-c5c0-4c48-ad93-afd5e7b6f4bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_EntityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_dei_LegalEntityAxis_84a714d3-e817-4e59-b78e-c85f8f0a7ba4" xlink:to="loc_dei_EntityDomain_77571f8e-c5c0-4c48-ad93-afd5e7b6f4bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AuditorName_c394e082-3763-4101-ad8f-6b7ff0e8436a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_AuditorName"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_AuditorLineItems_82e8a6ef-7b69-4968-bd72-8dd2b7f544ca" xlink:to="loc_dei_AuditorName_c394e082-3763-4101-ad8f-6b7ff0e8436a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AuditorLocation_e6e445dd-2536-4d51-9303-564119e224f2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_AuditorLocation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_AuditorLineItems_82e8a6ef-7b69-4968-bd72-8dd2b7f544ca" xlink:to="loc_dei_AuditorLocation_e6e445dd-2536-4d51-9303-564119e224f2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_AuditorFirmId_1d106a27-8ea5-47e1-9d16-fb0b7b870883" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2024/dei-2024.xsd#dei_AuditorFirmId"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_dei_AuditorLineItems_82e8a6ef-7b69-4968-bd72-8dd2b7f544ca" xlink:to="loc_dei_AuditorFirmId_1d106a27-8ea5-47e1-9d16-fb0b7b870883" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsofStockholdersEquity" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_77f6c24c-4ba4-458d-853b-e8bca9953955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_07f3bb25-ef1f-414b-8692-b4d925c664ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_77f6c24c-4ba4-458d-853b-e8bca9953955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_07f3bb25-ef1f-414b-8692-b4d925c664ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementTable_07f3bb25-ef1f-414b-8692-b4d925c664ac" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis_3ae16908-1e7e-40e4-8993-64c889973934" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_60673089-9925-4a8d-bb01-7c35d88d1c96" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CommonStockMember_60673089-9925-4a8d-bb01-7c35d88d1c96" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_0f187602-ae49-43e9-9786-1723281e0fad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TreasuryStockCommonMember_0f187602-ae49-43e9-9786-1723281e0fad" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_d1dceda1-a922-4aee-b523-4b3e27969fd9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_d1dceda1-a922-4aee-b523-4b3e27969fd9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_f075b0c3-94db-42c1-b540-3e13dc216fbc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember_f075b0c3-94db-42c1-b540-3e13dc216fbc" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_eac064da-d733-426a-89d6-82d94b3365c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b1ba115f-4e12-46ac-b053-fbb926349e29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_eac064da-d733-426a-89d6-82d94b3365c4" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_77f6c24c-4ba4-458d-853b-e8bca9953955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_997a4e74-256f-436f-bfdf-e17a4fc508ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_997a4e74-256f-436f-bfdf-e17a4fc508ed" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_9d061820-a48a-4394-bf42-598105df9d9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_9d061820-a48a-4394-bf42-598105df9d9f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_7b76db1d-ed79-48ff-bba4-63dd8574941e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax_7b76db1d-ed79-48ff-bba4-63dd8574941e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_744e9615-f3c0-4c01-ad77-b339751c7462" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_744e9615-f3c0-4c01-ad77-b339751c7462" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_4da22a54-1a97-4096-95a5-fb2c29b54ce4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueRestrictedStockAwardNetOfForfeitures_4da22a54-1a97-4096-95a5-fb2c29b54ce4" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_4adc8361-6a8d-45dc-a415-e60f5ee21934" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_4adc8361-6a8d-45dc-a415-e60f5ee21934" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_694888f3-3ae9-4b54-b913-2b12df5df484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockOptionsExercised_694888f3-3ae9-4b54-b913-2b12df5df484" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_284fcadb-7e67-4979-8b7c-5079ce7e23ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions_284fcadb-7e67-4979-8b7c-5079ce7e23ce" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_b53c9017-a0c0-45aa-bfe7-281006d45823" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueAcquisitions_b53c9017-a0c0-45aa-bfe7-281006d45823" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_06bbfedf-08e7-433f-bf51-ec96c81f5cc3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_06bbfedf-08e7-433f-bf51-ec96c81f5cc3" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_e95c1943-b59e-49ba-93d6-469539e9944e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharesPaidForTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_e95c1943-b59e-49ba-93d6-469539e9944e" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_af8752f7-c2cf-48d3-b97c-8269f3a9d8e4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsRelatedToTaxWithholdingForShareBasedCompensation_af8752f7-c2cf-48d3-b97c-8269f3a9d8e4" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_f935edd1-57bd-4ff8-9d2f-f0d0bd0829a5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_f935edd1-57bd-4ff8-9d2f-f0d0bd0829a5" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_764119f7-6746-4111-b74a-61770e06b3fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_b43ae04a-ab24-41ed-8a55-dd3158698959" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_764119f7-6746-4111-b74a-61770e06b3fe" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharesIssued_2e95fc18-b9ec-4985-bcda-764c72f9ce34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharesIssued"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_b50f617c-3c09-4e40-b0b1-467f5a2ae077" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_f094a0cd-2d88-48f3-9cf8-cc8cf3b3f344" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_77f6c24c-4ba4-458d-853b-e8bca9953955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalOther_f094a0cd-2d88-48f3-9cf8-cc8cf3b3f344" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsTables" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_28281c46-9552-4bc2-9beb-8b80ae7d7e3e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_28281c46-9552-4bc2-9beb-8b80ae7d7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_84a31099-da95-4ffa-86d1-92be4919b68d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_b3fb5ba5-8d89-437d-8cbf-6873be410ffe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_84a31099-da95-4ffa-86d1-92be4919b68d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_dedc62e8-1191-4ed7-ac2a-1e073e219d8d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_84a31099-da95-4ffa-86d1-92be4919b68d" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_dedc62e8-1191-4ed7-ac2a-1e073e219d8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_de000988-cb3c-4ce8-b7a4-5c82321935e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_8332af27-d570-40e9-aea8-ee50f91a7414" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_de000988-cb3c-4ce8-b7a4-5c82321935e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_5a9c69c1-784f-44c4-8acc-3bada0a04418" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_de000988-cb3c-4ce8-b7a4-5c82321935e5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_5a9c69c1-784f-44c4-8acc-3bada0a04418" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7ea482e5-6719-4623-827d-7bb02220f88e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_39c8b10f-ce15-4e07-8211-2b650a97425c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7ea482e5-6719-4623-827d-7bb02220f88e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_b986a328-b48d-4b71-865a-750283e3a5b4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7dfaefea-1152-435d-a451-d71f804d2a6f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_990ec4ca-e561-4009-83fe-3b95b3014522" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_7dfaefea-1152-435d-a451-d71f804d2a6f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTableTextBlock_0fce754b-e91b-45ee-a1d2-860f8bf899dd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_28281c46-9552-4bc2-9beb-8b80ae7d7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisTableTextBlock_0fce754b-e91b-45ee-a1d2-860f8bf899dd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock_ecc02ee7-5f72-4981-9b6a-ff79eaa0d83b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_28281c46-9552-4bc2-9beb-8b80ae7d7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock_ecc02ee7-5f72-4981-9b6a-ff79eaa0d83b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock_e8891a39-3592-42cf-9204-0994282f72c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_28281c46-9552-4bc2-9beb-8b80ae7d7e3e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTextBlock_e8891a39-3592-42cf-9204-0994282f72c1" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SummaryofSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_1d08890a-99b2-48f8-92cb-232170362331" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember_5f2d9ce2-c020-4c81-93e0-857cc7a9d003" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember_5f2d9ce2-c020-4c81-93e0-857cc7a9d003" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_a2f79618-5c57-40ac-91bd-dc2d7412108d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_a2f79618-5c57-40ac-91bd-dc2d7412108d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_23672cf3-996f-4b34-91c3-fe76c158fd48" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember_23672cf3-996f-4b34-91c3-fe76c158fd48" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_InternalUseSoftwareMember_10e1c719-672f-4056-868c-a325e5613a0f" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_InternalUseSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_eb9e6656-c9d7-472a-b757-4571d6941255" xlink:to="loc_hurn_InternalUseSoftwareMember_10e1c719-672f-4056-868c-a325e5613a0f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_2e0605f4-161b-4a55-bb11-2ec13465b34d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_441703a3-dfb5-4434-be54-34d98892b6e7" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_2e0605f4-161b-4a55-bb11-2ec13465b34d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_16681d31-2803-42f7-bafb-d99045e4dc52" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2e0605f4-161b-4a55-bb11-2ec13465b34d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_16681d31-2803-42f7-bafb-d99045e4dc52" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_befc8bf1-232f-4342-8c38-3d934222827f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_2e0605f4-161b-4a55-bb11-2ec13465b34d" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_befc8bf1-232f-4342-8c38-3d934222827f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c2233db-5a9e-467b-ae1d-53784640403f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_cf59999c-53d1-4f14-ac52-c1b2f23a78df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c2233db-5a9e-467b-ae1d-53784640403f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_55164ee8-c748-4088-9453-eb202a7e1f70" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_3c2233db-5a9e-467b-ae1d-53784640403f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_55164ee8-c748-4088-9453-eb202a7e1f70" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleTable_6f626e72-4ca3-4710-b0b4-5a3f688685d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_7471dfd5-6245-446b-9738-ab30a6bc6fe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_b89febf4-6b0e-4e6a-9ce8-d20b66432a2f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_7471dfd5-6245-446b-9738-ab30a6bc6fe4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember_20aaaa8b-4fee-47ed-9f3e-bd2b9ad49d62" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_7471dfd5-6245-446b-9738-ab30a6bc6fe4" xlink:to="loc_hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember_20aaaa8b-4fee-47ed-9f3e-bd2b9ad49d62" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_NumberOfBillingArrangementsForRevenueRecognition_6d8991ea-5d30-458d-b25f-a75be6087760" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_NumberOfBillingArrangementsForRevenueRecognition"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_hurn_NumberOfBillingArrangementsForRevenueRecognition_6d8991ea-5d30-458d-b25f-a75be6087760" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_89dae72b-62f1-4f21-836b-9ac4df1e0b25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization_89dae72b-62f1-4f21-836b-9ac4df1e0b25" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet_a9101e83-74e0-43aa-8d56-cfb408070595" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet_a9101e83-74e0-43aa-8d56-cfb408070595" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CashAndCashEquivalentMaturityPeriod_3a028925-82b9-4715-a1c9-e3e91f506144" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CashAndCashEquivalentMaturityPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CashAndCashEquivalentMaturityPeriod_3a028925-82b9-4715-a1c9-e3e91f506144" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross_57784363-afbc-435e-86da-bbb565293eb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareGross_57784363-afbc-435e-86da-bbb565293eb5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAccumulatedAmortization_03c9fcd8-4037-4298-a224-0c8448c4c535" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAccumulatedAmortization_03c9fcd8-4037-4298-a224-0c8448c4c535" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization1_5919c2f8-8784-4130-87e9-e54bfda4b4b9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization1_5919c2f8-8784-4130-87e9-e54bfda4b4b9" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedBeforeAccumulatedAmortization_d9e79ee6-6ec6-4d5f-88d0-d273deb4ab95" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedBeforeAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedBeforeAccumulatedAmortization_d9e79ee6-6ec6-4d5f-88d0-d273deb4ab95" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedAccumulatedAmortization_97851894-6cd6-4593-b082-3c68c6f2607b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostCapitalizedAccumulatedAmortization_97851894-6cd6-4593-b082-3c68c6f2607b" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization_45d7ac0b-d300-4c41-96e3-dc318556c382" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_HostingArrangementServiceContractImplementationCostExpenseAmortization_45d7ac0b-d300-4c41-96e3-dc318556c382" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_46f2de94-428f-4ed4-836a-45c96f54018d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_46f2de94-428f-4ed4-836a-45c96f54018d" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_087e1cd6-1dae-48a2-b981-11ac65aa83b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MarketingAndAdvertisingExpense_087e1cd6-1dae-48a2-b981-11ac65aa83b6" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized_56939048-b782-410d-8486-f6cc08c6351e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossRealized_56939048-b782-410d-8486-f6cc08c6351e" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_9df8579f-5d25-4b10-806e-49f5e9b574c5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments_9df8579f-5d25-4b10-806e-49f5e9b574c5" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_5655ab61-99f5-4983-8323-e23cae2c2916" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_5655ab61-99f5-4983-8323-e23cae2c2916" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_a27f9d56-a083-43a4-9111-8680e87601cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsLineItems_05c409d2-6a4e-4261-9e41-d53c9c2c3ecb" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife_a27f9d56-a083-43a4-9111-8680e87601cb" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/AcquisitionsDivestituresDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#AcquisitionsDivestituresDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/AcquisitionsDivestituresDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_d8fe7b4b-7347-498f-aac6-5f8acebdeb8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationTable_bdd8593c-5efa-41a8-91fb-60d90dad475e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_d8fe7b4b-7347-498f-aac6-5f8acebdeb8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationTable_bdd8593c-5efa-41a8-91fb-60d90dad475e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationTable_bdd8593c-5efa-41a8-91fb-60d90dad475e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_450fde2c-0cbc-49fa-96af-b47023db4ef6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_8f5d0da3-0035-48e0-a5cf-0f7c0e570d40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_450fde2c-0cbc-49fa-96af-b47023db4ef6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_3491251a-4aab-497b-b7e0-d8bc1fc68361" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_450fde2c-0cbc-49fa-96af-b47023db4ef6" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_3491251a-4aab-497b-b7e0-d8bc1fc68361" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationTable_bdd8593c-5efa-41a8-91fb-60d90dad475e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3e58cc22-e250-4ac1-8ed9-8b368a375aa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_73ef468e-3fc8-492f-b38a-b1ad8e18d48a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3e58cc22-e250-4ac1-8ed9-8b368a375aa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_8522988a-de35-4dbe-8e28-339cc30b767c" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_StuderEducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_3e58cc22-e250-4ac1-8ed9-8b368a375aa8" xlink:to="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_8522988a-de35-4dbe-8e28-339cc30b767c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_3878e4e4-d9cf-4f0d-9a95-07b0fe967f57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationSegmentAllocationLineItems_d8fe7b4b-7347-498f-aac6-5f8acebdeb8e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_3878e4e4-d9cf-4f0d-9a95-07b0fe967f57" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsChangesinCarryingAmountofGoodwillDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_8dc4970e-51b3-475d-9351-4a5adcfe830e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_8dc4970e-51b3-475d-9351-4a5adcfe830e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_8dc4970e-51b3-475d-9351-4a5adcfe830e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed2c5159-9322-4e21-91a9-63fc340261d9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_bfc7a004-35bb-498d-b118-cf9eb6cb4bfc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed2c5159-9322-4e21-91a9-63fc340261d9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_EducationMember_9e8a5422-47cd-4136-a160-c7017e85e040" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_EducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed2c5159-9322-4e21-91a9-63fc340261d9" xlink:to="loc_hurn_EducationMember_9e8a5422-47cd-4136-a160-c7017e85e040" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_68c4e3ad-a05b-4926-9f80-d21331e072e5" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed2c5159-9322-4e21-91a9-63fc340261d9" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_68c4e3ad-a05b-4926-9f80-d21331e072e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_05c106b2-b9fa-4db5-923b-a9829d29c8d3" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_ed2c5159-9322-4e21-91a9-63fc340261d9" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_05c106b2-b9fa-4db5-923b-a9829d29c8d3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_8dc4970e-51b3-475d-9351-4a5adcfe830e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f19ccff3-150f-442b-a6a9-9b296bf8caff" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis_321cfad0-385c-4823-9f3d-8d650b9a66db" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f19ccff3-150f-442b-a6a9-9b296bf8caff" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_45d87ba8-9390-4f48-9690-f3a88fd57637" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_StuderEducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsNameDomain_f19ccff3-150f-442b-a6a9-9b296bf8caff" xlink:to="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_45d87ba8-9390-4f48-9690-f3a88fd57637" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_abd6b9c1-a3d4-465c-bd48-b4dc60cc1dbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillGross_abd6b9c1-a3d4-465c-bd48-b4dc60cc1dbb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_fb535b85-3640-4c6f-a14f-da98bfb4ed55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillImpairedAccumulatedImpairmentLoss_fb535b85-3640-4c6f-a14f-da98bfb4ed55" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_eea7758f-b749-4e7f-b6b9-ab48ab068ce5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod_eea7758f-b749-4e7f-b6b9-ab48ab068ce5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit_956ec1ed-08ec-494b-838f-2da201e7f56c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillWrittenOffRelatedToSaleOfBusinessUnit_956ec1ed-08ec-494b-838f-2da201e7f56c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_281f0d4a-8ab6-44b9-9e05-d2483339ffb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLoss_281f0d4a-8ab6-44b9-9e05-d2483339ffb5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_7ee88598-7e92-49f7-a5c1-68286f4f12df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_7ee88598-7e92-49f7-a5c1-68286f4f12df" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_158d4654-efd3-4eb6-a897-250705e01a49" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_99c57c92-58c5-43e4-ae32-f2d3868deef8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_41b9bb1e-e01d-402f-96ea-f39669cd6b4d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_99c57c92-58c5-43e4-ae32-f2d3868deef8" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c638843d-ee81-4ae2-bf23-b4e93bd99891" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_fc05f9ea-0f0b-4143-9032-c74d3f926fb8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c638843d-ee81-4ae2-bf23-b4e93bd99891" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_fc05f9ea-0f0b-4143-9032-c74d3f926fb8" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_fc05f9ea-0f0b-4143-9032-c74d3f926fb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e51e4331-c5f7-4b5e-9a56-93a35e253101" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis_ee4370c5-ff0a-45e5-acd0-d16547ce9dda" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAcquireeDomain_e51e4331-c5f7-4b5e-9a56-93a35e253101" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_fc05f9ea-0f0b-4143-9032-c74d3f926fb8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis_126eed3a-b71b-4f46-938a-701a8004178c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_7f0953bf-311d-49cc-8037-04c9713c271f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember_7f0953bf-311d-49cc-8037-04c9713c271f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_8a36b374-19c7-4313-b44a-e775fd874349" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TechnologyBasedIntangibleAssetsMember_8a36b374-19c7-4313-b44a-e775fd874349" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_fc0a9049-1bbd-44aa-b48a-432a5413ec0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TradeNamesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TradeNamesMember_fc0a9049-1bbd-44aa-b48a-432a5413ec0b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_474efe11-dda8-4ae2-9b33-b661fb3f475c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CustomerContractsMember_474efe11-dda8-4ae2-9b33-b661fb3f475c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_b56865b6-f1f2-4f75-b242-eed69653920f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsMajorClassNameDomain_362fb371-fe9b-4014-aeee-48be5cf00e56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember_b56865b6-f1f2-4f75-b242-eed69653920f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsTable_fc05f9ea-0f0b-4143-9032-c74d3f926fb8" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_138e91db-7caf-40c1-b101-431f6ee53bb7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_8e925690-82e3-4686-8784-efba13ff5f55" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_138e91db-7caf-40c1-b101-431f6ee53bb7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_02e82290-60ce-4dad-bb8e-7bf33772d4c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_138e91db-7caf-40c1-b101-431f6ee53bb7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_02e82290-60ce-4dad-bb8e-7bf33772d4c0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_001f6e7c-f46c-4c27-aaee-4cd9ab3b0cd7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_138e91db-7caf-40c1-b101-431f6ee53bb7" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_001f6e7c-f46c-4c27-aaee-4cd9ab3b0cd7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_14283796-df5a-4318-b202-58091fb64e89" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems_c638843d-ee81-4ae2-bf23-b4e93bd99891" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_14283796-df5a-4318-b202-58091fb64e89" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_10f1dea9-2da9-4901-b172-21e69e712c03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_14283796-df5a-4318-b202-58091fb64e89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife_10f1dea9-2da9-4901-b172-21e69e712c03" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_463ee552-58b3-4a1e-bd71-62812d4f56e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_14283796-df5a-4318-b202-58091fb64e89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsGross_463ee552-58b3-4a1e-bd71-62812d4f56e9" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_d97d899f-b9e6-4492-9039-353cf74193b2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsNetAbstract_14283796-df5a-4318-b202-58091fb64e89" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization_d97d899f-b9e6-4492-9039-353cf74193b2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/GoodwillandIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_82d941d1-3433-4f51-912b-ee23b664145a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_82d941d1-3433-4f51-912b-ee23b664145a" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGoodwillTable_82d941d1-3433-4f51-912b-ee23b664145a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_bee9d8f4-ab6f-4062-b521-a4fb0fb4530b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_7faa203a-b732-459a-b6e0-24fb8db50949" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_bee9d8f4-ab6f-4062-b521-a4fb0fb4530b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_ae04f4a5-e332-41ba-bb73-a3cfb71d649d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_bee9d8f4-ab6f-4062-b521-a4fb0fb4530b" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_ae04f4a5-e332-41ba-bb73-a3cfb71d649d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_EducationMember_fcbb4a31-b16e-4286-b7f6-635d6b63e571" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_EducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_bee9d8f4-ab6f-4062-b521-a4fb0fb4530b" xlink:to="loc_hurn_EducationMember_fcbb4a31-b16e-4286-b7f6-635d6b63e571" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_78c0d49b-0f94-4091-b193-515ee001c66a" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_bee9d8f4-ab6f-4062-b521-a4fb0fb4530b" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_78c0d49b-0f94-4091-b193-515ee001c66a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_e163a391-bbbf-417b-9942-be244adadce9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Goodwill"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Goodwill_e163a391-bbbf-417b-9942-be244adadce9" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_458fe8b0-e26a-4dd7-b5b2-01372e7cbb1d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_NumberOfReportingUnits_458fe8b0-e26a-4dd7-b5b2-01372e7cbb1d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount_825ed775-d35b-4f7a-8a53-b513d3e151c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitPercentageOfFairValueInExcessOfCarryingAmount_825ed775-d35b-4f7a-8a53-b513d3e151c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_21010ad3-c9d7-4c29-b4bc-9d8737dd0b33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinitelivedIntangibleAssetsAcquired1_21010ad3-c9d7-4c29-b4bc-9d8737dd0b33" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetFullyAmortizedAndRetired_3b80c62f-e332-4492-9c58-d79f877b09e6" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetFullyAmortizedAndRetired"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_hurn_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetFullyAmortizedAndRetired_3b80c62f-e332-4492-9c58-d79f877b09e6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_635eaf1e-b252-460d-bd1e-737a7131dc33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GoodwillLineItems_bbc1a616-acc6-417a-927b-113c2dc56170" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets_635eaf1e-b252-460d-bd1e-737a7131dc33" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/LeasesLeasesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#LeasesLeasesAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/LeasesLeasesAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8433fc32-e249-4b18-b9f2-71905e3c1f00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8433fc32-e249-4b18-b9f2-71905e3c1f00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_47994f66-6843-46a6-87ca-2662c1077163" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis_ecf65ffa-027c-46a2-8071-9fbbdbeaa2c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_47994f66-6843-46a6-87ca-2662c1077163" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringChargesMember_9b5b24f8-16e5-4940-b629-7dd7c095666d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringChargesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain_47994f66-6843-46a6-87ca-2662c1077163" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringChargesMember_9b5b24f8-16e5-4940-b629-7dd7c095666d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_73b5c119-1525-435e-adb1-b5c19f7283b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_d3a904c4-fc3f-4a32-9569-c49c88f84389" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_73b5c119-1525-435e-adb1-b5c19f7283b0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3dd134dd-a89b-408d-8193-adb4506ffe76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_73b5c119-1525-435e-adb1-b5c19f7283b0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_3dd134dd-a89b-408d-8193-adb4506ffe76" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_664818ef-da21-4144-aee2-c6b81424f746" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_73b5c119-1525-435e-adb1-b5c19f7283b0" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_664818ef-da21-4144-aee2-c6b81424f746" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_441dfdd5-f1d2-44a5-a7d7-5d71e7f1bf92" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedByTypeAxis_156f9861-5734-4857-8561-9fee24f67b6d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_441dfdd5-f1d2-44a5-a7d7-5d71e7f1bf92" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_db176081-bb83-431c-bbd5-ea9787d13700" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_441dfdd5-f1d2-44a5-a7d7-5d71e7f1bf92" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_db176081-bb83-431c-bbd5-ea9787d13700" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember_778ee731-42cf-444c-a5ce-d52b6b019e62" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ImpairedLongLivedAssetsHeldAndUsedAssetNameDomain_441dfdd5-f1d2-44a5-a7d7-5d71e7f1bf92" xlink:to="loc_hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember_778ee731-42cf-444c-a5ce-d52b6b019e62" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationAxis_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionTable_6eaf27dc-9a9b-4b65-b3b2-7c3620384493" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationAxis_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb_default" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationAxis_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_0e48a8cf-1758-4258-89c4-ffa9d69ddaa8" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationAxis_7fb306d2-9c14-4ae3-9b47-78d109b3e4bb" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_0e48a8cf-1758-4258-89c4-ffa9d69ddaa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_FixedAssetsMember_4a5f5f55-19a8-4d41-bb30-5a00a55fc419" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_FixedAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_0e48a8cf-1758-4258-89c4-ffa9d69ddaa8" xlink:to="loc_hurn_FixedAssetsMember_4a5f5f55-19a8-4d41-bb30-5a00a55fc419" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OperatingleaserightofuseassetMember_b561d7c8-39ee-41e5-a9ff-056a229a381d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OperatingleaserightofuseassetMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RelatedBalanceSheetLocationDomain_0e48a8cf-1758-4258-89c4-ffa9d69ddaa8" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OperatingleaserightofuseassetMember_b561d7c8-39ee-41e5-a9ff-056a229a381d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_b9c67d98-ab42-4f3d-8348-59bf510db7ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8433fc32-e249-4b18-b9f2-71905e3c1f00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LesseeOperatingLeaseRenewalTerm_b9c67d98-ab42-4f3d-8348-59bf510db7ce" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseCost_df51ba4f-6014-41d9-937b-9590457cbe69" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8433fc32-e249-4b18-b9f2-71905e3c1f00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseCost_df51ba4f-6014-41d9-937b-9590457cbe69" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_e3e35f05-fa25-4465-9a39-d6393a27ad7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LesseeLeaseDescriptionLineItems_8433fc32-e249-4b18-b9f2-71905e3c1f00" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse_e3e35f05-fa25-4465-9a39-d6393a27ad7c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNetSummaryofPremisesandEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#PropertyandEquipmentNetSummaryofPremisesandEquipmentDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/PropertyandEquipmentNetSummaryofPremisesandEquipmentDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_e34ff995-c25b-4419-a381-4013c0c51376" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a95802fe-3b19-46bc-8293-5fbc792253e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_e34ff995-c25b-4419-a381-4013c0c51376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a95802fe-3b19-46bc-8293-5fbc792253e9" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentTable_a95802fe-3b19-46bc-8293-5fbc792253e9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis_442d55a0-250a-4072-9b39-6c429395a5d7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember_01c633ad-5b77-4976-b149-0ad5793efb86" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ComputersRelatedEquipmentAndSoftwareMember_01c633ad-5b77-4976-b149-0ad5793efb86" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_fb077821-64b6-421e-adf5-616da6ad7466" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember_fb077821-64b6-421e-adf5-616da6ad7466" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_26b921aa-0db3-4cd1-ab08-cf42adc1816d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FurnitureAndFixturesMember_26b921aa-0db3-4cd1-ab08-cf42adc1816d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember_c6b5973c-917c-4240-9ffb-31ce2f96b450" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentTypeDomain_2ef39d4b-3015-4c9e-8208-84c4094b84f4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetUnderConstructionMember_c6b5973c-917c-4240-9ffb-31ce2f96b450" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_92579c98-f8c1-4794-b6b0-f2a87090a4cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_e34ff995-c25b-4419-a381-4013c0c51376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross_92579c98-f8c1-4794-b6b0-f2a87090a4cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_beae271e-bfba-4e00-a7b5-0ad79049bc26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_e34ff995-c25b-4419-a381-4013c0c51376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment_beae271e-bfba-4e00-a7b5-0ad79049bc26" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_b857af8c-09b7-4035-ac12-8a25403c1172" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentLineItems_e34ff995-c25b-4419-a381-4013c0c51376" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_b857af8c-09b7-4035-ac12-8a25403c1172" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsSummaryofCarryingAmountsofDebtDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FinancingArrangementsSummaryofCarryingAmountsofDebtDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsSummaryofCarryingAmountsofDebtDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_533db9dc-8154-4b8a-a1a7-6d1458c01152" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_6dbe6e71-0ac1-4f90-aa79-4669a7bfacba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_533db9dc-8154-4b8a-a1a7-6d1458c01152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_6dbe6e71-0ac1-4f90-aa79-4669a7bfacba" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_6dbe6e71-0ac1-4f90-aa79-4669a7bfacba" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_88472361-2c14-4bd7-93fd-0d586b99b4f4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_0116c45c-df66-4e0a-aec8-1b2af964ca2b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_88472361-2c14-4bd7-93fd-0d586b99b4f4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_26be71d7-0f04-4cde-b777-1e0b71491c46" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_88472361-2c14-4bd7-93fd-0d586b99b4f4" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_26be71d7-0f04-4cde-b777-1e0b71491c46" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a17c5ae8-dbbf-4c6c-b445-44bb50427616" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_533db9dc-8154-4b8a-a1a7-6d1458c01152" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_a17c5ae8-dbbf-4c6c-b445-44bb50427616" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FinancingArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a479d774-3684-4b1b-af20-b8f7b3da9aef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a479d774-3684-4b1b-af20-b8f7b3da9aef" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a479d774-3684-4b1b-af20-b8f7b3da9aef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2c44050b-4a8d-41b1-89c0-3d292d1cd7fc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_4b83ce4e-a024-4b6c-b5ca-a5d9bf233e5c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2c44050b-4a8d-41b1-89c0-3d292d1cd7fc" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_eacb01c6-fef3-4e5a-b08e-189d4eaa0bcf" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2c44050b-4a8d-41b1-89c0-3d292d1cd7fc" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_eacb01c6-fef3-4e5a-b08e-189d4eaa0bcf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember_42e677b4-cda2-440b-a5ca-46631dbc2ded" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2c44050b-4a8d-41b1-89c0-3d292d1cd7fc" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember_42e677b4-cda2-440b-a5ca-46631dbc2ded" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CreditFacilityMember_b660ef25-191e-472e-9ab4-b754e878ecb2" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_2c44050b-4a8d-41b1-89c0-3d292d1cd7fc" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CreditFacilityMember_b660ef25-191e-472e-9ab4-b754e878ecb2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a479d774-3684-4b1b-af20-b8f7b3da9aef" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_496f3014-8927-4246-b3a9-81a00fa70ff3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_987d5821-ef06-44ff-aff8-fcf1b390f092" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_496f3014-8927-4246-b3a9-81a00fa70ff3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_84a2f86d-f86e-44ae-b7a0-cb7ee523f685" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_496f3014-8927-4246-b3a9-81a00fa70ff3" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_84a2f86d-f86e-44ae-b7a0-cb7ee523f685" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_28fe0693-ab4b-4616-9889-2323175419fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_496f3014-8927-4246-b3a9-81a00fa70ff3" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_28fe0693-ab4b-4616-9889-2323175419fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_a479d774-3684-4b1b-af20-b8f7b3da9aef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_ce7cc618-3028-44c8-943f-7f5e7a581f0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_VariableRateDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateAxis_5ef7f8db-2adb-4f38-99c0-ea8434561984" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_ce7cc618-3028-44c8-943f-7f5e7a581f0b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_59b4cd2e-894b-4c02-8be2-de38916caaf3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BaseRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_ce7cc618-3028-44c8-943f-7f5e7a581f0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BaseRateMember_59b4cd2e-894b-4c02-8be2-de38916caaf3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_5ea01ecd-61d3-4b97-a1b9-613da21d93d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableRateDomain_ce7cc618-3028-44c8-943f-7f5e7a581f0b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SecuredOvernightFinancingRateSofrMember_5ea01ecd-61d3-4b97-a1b9-613da21d93d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommitmentFeeRateIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs_ddc8b5c5-8177-4008-957e-d29212864789" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommitmentFeeRateIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommitmentFeeRateIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs_ddc8b5c5-8177-4008-957e-d29212864789" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_InterestRateOrLOCIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs_dd85d1ae-3ae7-45a1-882b-f02d980664dd" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_InterestRateOrLOCIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_InterestRateOrLOCIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs_dd85d1ae-3ae7-45a1-882b-f02d980664dd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_de29b38d-5054-4545-a609-e07d786c023e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity_de29b38d-5054-4545-a609-e07d786c023e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OptionalIncreaseInRevolver_a54c2a9f-6579-4f74-9430-a60d57377403" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OptionalIncreaseInRevolver"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OptionalIncreaseInRevolver_a54c2a9f-6579-4f74-9430-a60d57377403" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_312a9ce6-0fc2-46b0-85cb-2127d1e4a09f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1_312a9ce6-0fc2-46b0-85cb-2127d1e4a09f" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInDomesticSubsidiaries_6141de81-3bed-4a3f-9243-82e658f28a61" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInDomesticSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInDomesticSubsidiaries_6141de81-3bed-4a3f-9243-82e658f28a61" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaries_cbc982f1-8a9d-4b23-86fb-a1dd80577740" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaries"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaries_cbc982f1-8a9d-4b23-86fb-a1dd80577740" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioMaximum_da7c6a30-a2eb-45ff-b632-1afefbf52c66" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioMaximum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioMaximum_da7c6a30-a2eb-45ff-b632-1afefbf52c66" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioAdditionalIncrease_a10c7da6-a6d2-48e5-bee9-fa6b302f733e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioAdditionalIncrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatioAdditionalIncrease_a10c7da6-a6d2-48e5-bee9-fa6b302f733e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum_eab0cd15-9471-477b-84b4-a3b334fed941" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantInterestCoverageRatioMinimum_eab0cd15-9471-477b-84b4-a3b334fed941" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualConsolidatedLeverageRatio_fbc59698-5330-4d9f-9f10-0849209ebb90" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualConsolidatedLeverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualConsolidatedLeverageRatio_fbc59698-5330-4d9f-9f10-0849209ebb90" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualInterestCoverageRatio_4dd7f0fd-363b-4707-8098-cffdf6926806" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualInterestCoverageRatio"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DebtInstrumentCovenantActualInterestCoverageRatio_4dd7f0fd-363b-4707-8098-cffdf6926806" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_fb985aca-b4e8-465c-b0b7-c0eda4be7d47" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_fb985aca-b4e8-465c-b0b7-c0eda4be7d47" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_37c71439-f2a4-463b-add3-678307b8cd8e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_37c71439-f2a4-463b-add3-678307b8cd8e" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_30e09634-6f89-4c73-9d19-edb774349663" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity_30e09634-6f89-4c73-9d19-edb774349663" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_133b535d-b5e1-4d78-baf4-d33bcbb2561d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_133b535d-b5e1-4d78-baf4-d33bcbb2561d" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommitmentFeeRateIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs_e74b60ea-acae-42ea-8e34-036b4f6970df" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommitmentFeeRateIncreaseDecreaseFromKPIs"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2407baa8-ff7d-409c-b367-03b5909ded25" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_2407baa8-ff7d-409c-b367-03b5909ded25" xlink:type="arc" order="17"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_4e428042-6618-4604-9b41-464c18bc1db8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentPeriodicPaymentPrincipal_4e428042-6618-4604-9b41-464c18bc1db8" xlink:type="arc" order="18"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayable_45138582-0213-4500-9add-9556f0124018" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LoansPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LoansPayable_45138582-0213-4500-9add-9556f0124018" xlink:type="arc" order="19"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_MaximumBorrowingCapacity_3cf6aa63-1e5b-45ab-88df-d3b887d4abbd" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_MaximumBorrowingCapacity"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_MaximumBorrowingCapacity_3cf6aa63-1e5b-45ab-88df-d3b887d4abbd" xlink:type="arc" order="20"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_fc5d7bf1-6e10-4258-9fa8-90e937821b90" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_fc5d7bf1-6e10-4258-9fa8-90e937821b90" xlink:type="arc" order="21"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaryNotEntitledToVote_0b160e62-1383-4022-98eb-7e1af9d7e92d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaryNotEntitledToVote"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_5242c921-20b7-4d17-aa47-05cc8a896f2a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PercentageOfPledgedVotingStockInForeignSubsidiaryNotEntitledToVote_0b160e62-1383-4022-98eb-7e1af9d7e92d" xlink:type="arc" order="22"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsLongTermDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FinancingArrangementsLongTermDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsLongTermDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_bce338a2-291c-4918-b034-eefeca4d82df" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e37e437d-726b-454f-9ff3-48153be0f822" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_bce338a2-291c-4918-b034-eefeca4d82df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e37e437d-726b-454f-9ff3-48153be0f822" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_e37e437d-726b-454f-9ff3-48153be0f822" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c9a722ad-8f44-46d2-b45b-f8d531644ebd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_d01c37ad-4147-4cc7-b4ce-58fef1f19391" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c9a722ad-8f44-46d2-b45b-f8d531644ebd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_d022650d-dd62-4c13-93d2-e06a7afeb3bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_c9a722ad-8f44-46d2-b45b-f8d531644ebd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount_d022650d-dd62-4c13-93d2-e06a7afeb3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_b9dbf87c-9e08-41d9-8306-5a57fb54cc79" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_bce338a2-291c-4918-b034-eefeca4d82df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths_b9dbf87c-9e08-41d9-8306-5a57fb54cc79" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_99949a94-bdec-4386-a90f-715b9fa5fe22" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_bce338a2-291c-4918-b034-eefeca4d82df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo_99949a94-bdec-4386-a90f-715b9fa5fe22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_75e29f97-b5d6-42d0-8916-adb2484aee51" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_bce338a2-291c-4918-b034-eefeca4d82df" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree_75e29f97-b5d6-42d0-8916-adb2484aee51" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsCarryingAmountsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FinancingArrangementsCarryingAmountsDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FinancingArrangementsCarryingAmountsDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_88f5aca4-672d-4602-bc82-93c076a42017" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_88f5aca4-672d-4602-bc82-93c076a42017" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTable_88f5aca4-672d-4602-bc82-93c076a42017" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_96076761-9b0a-4e58-8db1-2f92877de881" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_628b8aee-88e8-42b2-835a-ff6cd5217945" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_96076761-9b0a-4e58-8db1-2f92877de881" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember_fa0df18d-b313-4a5d-8c4d-fee0528df600" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_96076761-9b0a-4e58-8db1-2f92877de881" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TermDebtCreditFacilityMember_fa0df18d-b313-4a5d-8c4d-fee0528df600" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CreditFacilityMember_f137217f-1a09-411c-8726-1cac1db29e22" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_96076761-9b0a-4e58-8db1-2f92877de881" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CreditFacilityMember_f137217f-1a09-411c-8726-1cac1db29e22" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_4ed6df35-64ce-436a-8345-1e422d5a961e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain_96076761-9b0a-4e58-8db1-2f92877de881" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevolverCreditFacilityMember_4ed6df35-64ce-436a-8345-1e422d5a961e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_efe931a1-d89f-4231-81f9-c7a4adadb2c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_efe931a1-d89f-4231-81f9-c7a4adadb2c7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_88fa4bb1-fc64-4a2a-b5ab-ea90ed5e4b76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebt"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebt_88fa4bb1-fc64-4a2a-b5ab-ea90ed5e4b76" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_35cb04af-32aa-4188-9828-485eac0c3b44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtCurrent_35cb04af-32aa-4188-9828-485eac0c3b44" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_17ecb3f2-9e8b-46d3-8e65-7172d0fbba1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent_17ecb3f2-9e8b-46d3-8e65-7172d0fbba1e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_0eaeaa7e-416f-482e-bc5d-9144e96850f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_0eaeaa7e-416f-482e-bc5d-9144e96850f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_0055be22-af81-4a3b-a054-47bf29c6a144" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems_1ff2923c-967e-44de-8bb2-90133852f979" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_0055be22-af81-4a3b-a054-47bf29c6a144" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1_default" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember_2be9b3f2-9d6c-4734-be64-5346b1de7240" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember_2be9b3f2-9d6c-4734-be64-5346b1de7240" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember_ff4a43f0-a0e0-40ba-98ea-631757bb45a7" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember_ff4a43f0-a0e0-40ba-98ea-631757bb45a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_a7264c08-57a6-45da-a6a5-14bdf9263eb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_a7264c08-57a6-45da-a6a5-14bdf9263eb3" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e9b1a360-2cf5-48cd-aa81-7920082b0c02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e9b1a360-2cf5-48cd-aa81-7920082b0c02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_c7d049c5-38ab-422a-abcd-b69c45713bc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_c7d049c5-38ab-422a-abcd-b69c45713bc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_6d445260-ca56-4d20-8137-abbffa3fd590" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_6d445260-ca56-4d20-8137-abbffa3fd590" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet_9a552c66-f920-40ab-a3b8-8c1e6e53b10b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet_9a552c66-f920-40ab-a3b8-8c1e6e53b10b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease_856deb10-6f60-4dde-8566-876211ff3230" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease_856deb10-6f60-4dde-8566-876211ff3230" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent_5d2785d5-ae07-4442-b7ff-fe546e35735d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent_5d2785d5-ae07-4442-b7ff-fe546e35735d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease_77afbc09-16b8-438a-92c2-c668c906bb5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease_77afbc09-16b8-438a-92c2-c668c906bb5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1_2054288b-233b-49ac-b4eb-8fcbd465c06c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1_2054288b-233b-49ac-b4eb-8fcbd465c06c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesRevenueAdditionalInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_b2abef9b-c0d6-458e-811f-acc441e5c678" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1_default" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedinPriorPeriodAxis_1a3e03c3-68cc-4732-af9e-de91e6e816c1" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember_2be9b3f2-9d6c-4734-be64-5346b1de7240" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ChangeinEstimatedVariableConsiderationMember_2be9b3f2-9d6c-4734-be64-5346b1de7240" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember_ff4a43f0-a0e0-40ba-98ea-631757bb45a7" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_PerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPriorPeriodDomain_196f2025-4b7e-4d1d-b366-5e8d28a76806" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ReleaseofAllowanceMember_ff4a43f0-a0e0-40ba-98ea-631757bb45a7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e9b1a360-2cf5-48cd-aa81-7920082b0c02" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_e9b1a360-2cf5-48cd-aa81-7920082b0c02" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_c7d049c5-38ab-422a-abcd-b69c45713bc5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerPerformanceObligationSatisfiedInPreviousPeriod_c7d049c5-38ab-422a-abcd-b69c45713bc5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_6d445260-ca56-4d20-8137-abbffa3fd590" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_6d445260-ca56-4d20-8137-abbffa3fd590" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet_9a552c66-f920-40ab-a3b8-8c1e6e53b10b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerAssetNet_9a552c66-f920-40ab-a3b8-8c1e6e53b10b" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease_856deb10-6f60-4dde-8566-876211ff3230" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContractAssetPeriodIncreaseDecrease_856deb10-6f60-4dde-8566-876211ff3230" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent_5d2785d5-ae07-4442-b7ff-fe546e35735d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueCurrent_5d2785d5-ae07-4442-b7ff-fe546e35735d" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease_77afbc09-16b8-438a-92c2-c668c906bb5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenuePeriodIncreaseDecrease_77afbc09-16b8-438a-92c2-c668c906bb5c" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1_2054288b-233b-49ac-b4eb-8fcbd465c06c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_fb4c605d-e6d9-4929-886d-52033051c54f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredRevenueRevenueRecognized1_2054288b-233b-49ac-b4eb-8fcbd465c06c" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8ceba52b-6fc3-4cc8-8a54-d97a6774b4b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8ceba52b-6fc3-4cc8-8a54-d97a6774b4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_6a99366f-b143-4256-af33-c5bf91945fa7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8ceba52b-6fc3-4cc8-8a54-d97a6774b4b3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionStartDateAxis_6a99366f-b143-4256-af33-c5bf91945fa7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_3e0e6672-6f09-430f-a6c2-0d7203bf6dfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_3e0e6672-6f09-430f-a6c2-0d7203bf6dfb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_18b2c49d-ca1a-42bb-8a4d-8c9359565d44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_18b2c49d-ca1a-42bb-8a4d-8c9359565d44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails_1"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RevenuesPerformanceObligationsInformationDetails_1" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8ceba52b-6fc3-4cc8-8a54-d97a6774b4b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionTable_8ceba52b-6fc3-4cc8-8a54-d97a6774b4b3" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_3e0e6672-6f09-430f-a6c2-0d7203bf6dfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligation_3e0e6672-6f09-430f-a6c2-0d7203bf6dfb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_18b2c49d-ca1a-42bb-8a4d-8c9359565d44" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionLineItems_1debc17e-7513-464a-b3ed-a21ad35bd8cc" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueRemainingPerformanceObligationExpectedTimingOfSatisfactionPeriod1_18b2c49d-ca1a-42bb-8a4d-8c9359565d44" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareSummaryofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofWeightedAverageCommonStockEquivalentsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EarningsPerShareSummaryofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofWeightedAverageCommonStockEquivalentsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareSummaryofAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedfromComputationofWeightedAverageCommonStockEquivalentsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_e06337ee-c630-4f08-a84c-a6dca68be3b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_2e0f5ed1-3ab4-43c0-94e7-c15576b43f85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_e06337ee-c630-4f08-a84c-a6dca68be3b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_2e0f5ed1-3ab4-43c0-94e7-c15576b43f85" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareTable_2e0f5ed1-3ab4-43c0-94e7-c15576b43f85" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_7dbf7d99-8b60-4d8b-acca-d7e14d14e3bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareByAntidilutiveSecuritiesAxis_84c3e42d-5e49-43be-8007-4eabda596028" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesNameDomain_7dbf7d99-8b60-4d8b-acca-d7e14d14e3bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_c431a3fd-7aaf-4b1f-b93b-9ddc43e0e933" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareLineItems_e06337ee-c630-4f08-a84c-a6dca68be3b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_c431a3fd-7aaf-4b1f-b93b-9ddc43e0e933" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EarningsPerShareAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesTable_942667bc-1fdd-45d3-9292-5b1a0329e5c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesTable_942667bc-1fdd-45d3-9292-5b1a0329e5c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesTable_942667bc-1fdd-45d3-9292-5b1a0329e5c7" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_066ce3a3-e017-4d20-9983-48c85185fcac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis_602fdd68-d960-4996-93c4-78185d28a415" xlink:to="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_066ce3a3-e017-4d20-9983-48c85185fcac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_1d0ad79e-8a39-45af-a789-9856dc5633cc" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_066ce3a3-e017-4d20-9983-48c85185fcac" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchaseProgramMember_1d0ad79e-8a39-45af-a789-9856dc5633cc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_1ce1ffdf-ad5a-4360-b441-697b5e54a5af" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1_1ce1ffdf-ad5a-4360-b441-697b5e54a5af" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_5df6f788-3ac5-47a2-a9f0-bd1327df5211" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_srt_StockRepurchaseProgramExpirationDate_5df6f788-3ac5-47a2-a9f0-bd1327df5211" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTaxPayable_55261f8b-dfaf-4d91-bd3c-91d8cec7df2f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTaxPayable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTaxPayable_55261f8b-dfaf-4d91-bd3c-91d8cec7df2f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTax_d54cc186-4fae-40eb-ba8e-8bce0246fd4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramExciseTax_d54cc186-4fae-40eb-ba8e-8bce0246fd4e" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_ad09568b-64fa-4873-b81c-66f72ddc3943" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodShares_ad09568b-64fa-4873-b81c-66f72ddc3943" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_039d030d-86bd-4e39-ac72-2c8b2eb00a8b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchasedAndRetiredDuringPeriodValue_039d030d-86bd-4e39-ac72-2c8b2eb00a8b" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedbutnotyetSettled_9f646349-2524-409e-b5fd-285ad3198216" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedbutnotyetSettled"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedbutnotyetSettled_9f646349-2524-409e-b5fd-285ad3198216" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedButNotYetSettledShares_805dbfdc-a97b-467d-bc35-0e53b84cd470" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedButNotYetSettledShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShareRepurchasesInitiatedButNotYetSettledShares_805dbfdc-a97b-467d-bc35-0e53b84cd470" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_352e8866-17ff-4071-9bb2-736dbc8dcbbb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AcceleratedShareRepurchasesLineItems_dca4b9d5-3e54-4ce8-8aeb-1eaa62cca2e0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_352e8866-17ff-4071-9bb2-736dbc8dcbbb" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RestructuringChargesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RestructuringChargesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RestructuringChargesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_b1937c6c-b38a-43f5-aaf8-4a17df696436" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_b1937c6c-b38a-43f5-aaf8-4a17df696436" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_a423d21b-f8c8-413c-8574-83fd927f88f0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_EducationMember_9db150b5-78d1-4592-949b-e94cb79acf50" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_EducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:to="loc_hurn_EducationMember_9db150b5-78d1-4592-949b-e94cb79acf50" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_914041f9-c56e-4ea9-9c14-6f94d5fd30a4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CorporateMember_914041f9-c56e-4ea9-9c14-6f94d5fd30a4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_c417b6a4-6ebd-4142-ac26-8c10a6f4438e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_c417b6a4-6ebd-4142-ac26-8c10a6f4438e" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_7f4afaf9-e006-48c2-8f2e-4076d0ac3fc8" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_6ea86685-c7f6-4dce-a93b-fbaec8940f86" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_7f4afaf9-e006-48c2-8f2e-4076d0ac3fc8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_5bd5583c-60e2-4767-93e9-96512b40a759" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_d0063955-ebc8-4562-95cd-655f2979853d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_5bd5583c-60e2-4767-93e9-96512b40a759" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_748fe24d-0aa9-45dd-9324-0b458c9e61a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_5bd5583c-60e2-4767-93e9-96512b40a759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_748fe24d-0aa9-45dd-9324-0b458c9e61a7" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_fbec6c60-f340-4c40-848d-a4f6bb93996d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_5bd5583c-60e2-4767-93e9-96512b40a759" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_fbec6c60-f340-4c40-848d-a4f6bb93996d" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_27e7b0f3-9e81-4ff4-bc35-c8efbc669068" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_5bd5583c-60e2-4767-93e9-96512b40a759" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_27e7b0f3-9e81-4ff4-bc35-c8efbc669068" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis_bb48911e-f256-4fbf-9353-e82441208a29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_Q12023HillsboroOfficeExitMember_ba91ab30-8cf5-4674-ab96-6c61311d994f" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_Q12023HillsboroOfficeExitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_Q12023HillsboroOfficeExitMember_ba91ab30-8cf5-4674-ab96-6c61311d994f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_Q32023LexingtonOfficeExitMember_7453d289-e03b-4aa3-bddb-cbddf727f0d7" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_Q32023LexingtonOfficeExitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_Q32023LexingtonOfficeExitMember_7453d289-e03b-4aa3-bddb-cbddf727f0d7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsThatWereInitiatedInPriorPeriodsMember_e63b8742-884f-426c-82ed-38f3878b68fa" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsThatWereInitiatedInPriorPeriodsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsThatWereInitiatedInPriorPeriodsMember_e63b8742-884f-426c-82ed-38f3878b68fa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember_2520b0c0-a801-47b0-a916-31959fbc96cf" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_AdditionalImpairmentOnPreviouslyVacatedOfficeSpacesMember_2520b0c0-a801-47b0-a916-31959fbc96cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember_85608ef9-49d0-4430-9831-0eb86e50a6a7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember_85608ef9-49d0-4430-9831-0eb86e50a6a7" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_Hurn_LifeSciencesDivestitureGainLossMember_5067b31b-49e4-4e3f-a021-459445a90012" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_Hurn_LifeSciencesDivestitureGainLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_Hurn_LifeSciencesDivestitureGainLossMember_5067b31b-49e4-4e3f-a021-459445a90012" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_0fc4695e-8475-4366-871a-fdd9a24f942e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_StuderEducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_StuderEducationMember_0fc4695e-8475-4366-871a-fdd9a24f942e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_A200S.MichiganAveOfficeExitMember_2de14929-4bfc-43dd-99ac-543ae87cb0fb" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_A200S.MichiganAveOfficeExitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_A200S.MichiganAveOfficeExitMember_2de14929-4bfc-43dd-99ac-543ae87cb0fb" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_NewYorkNYOfficeExitMember_a9d46679-eedc-4005-98de-c335a34c22e0" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_NewYorkNYOfficeExitMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_NewYorkNYOfficeExitMember_a9d46679-eedc-4005-98de-c335a34c22e0" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_AbandonedFixedAssetsAcceleratedAmortizationMember_7493f7c5-1332-48df-a6ae-d2a45baa6b03" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_AbandonedFixedAssetsAcceleratedAmortizationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_AbandonedFixedAssetsAcceleratedAmortizationMember_7493f7c5-1332-48df-a6ae-d2a45baa6b03" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember_a4bbb59a-47c1-4c1c-a331-3af80a24c399" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_AbandonedCapitalizedSoftwareDevelopmentProjectMember_a4bbb59a-47c1-4c1c-a331-3af80a24c399" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OperatingModelChangeMember_c635e287-13a8-4f48-b210-856b9d2d6be4" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OperatingModelChangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringPlanDomain_c3b43c69-09d2-481e-b3dd-385f3c3a9108" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OperatingModelChangeMember_c635e287-13a8-4f48-b210-856b9d2d6be4" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_1a2f1014-4dfd-4133-8a72-7a8a2818a9cd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_7e3076cf-f094-42bf-9ea6-e2c606ca8ce6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitAxis_d84294f3-66d0-4f56-a895-29ab93eecb6a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_7e3076cf-f094-42bf-9ea6-e2c606ca8ce6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_LifeSciencesMember_f7267594-eb97-45b9-82cd-50d6aa788a35" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_LifeSciencesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ReportingUnitDomain_7e3076cf-f094-42bf-9ea6-e2c606ca8ce6" xlink:to="loc_hurn_LifeSciencesMember_f7267594-eb97-45b9-82cd-50d6aa788a35" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_3aa60d37-9456-4a39-9025-d4e70753888f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_b1937c6c-b38a-43f5-aaf8-4a17df696436" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_3aa60d37-9456-4a39-9025-d4e70753888f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_1b892c66-47f0-43bc-818a-e9bb36868f00" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_b1937c6c-b38a-43f5-aaf8-4a17df696436" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfBusiness_1b892c66-47f0-43bc-818a-e9bb36868f00" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_41a3518f-28ee-46a8-92f3-865a49ed9fc4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_b1937c6c-b38a-43f5-aaf8-4a17df696436" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_41a3518f-28ee-46a8-92f3-865a49ed9fc4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RestructuringChargesRestructuringChargesRollforwardDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#RestructuringChargesRestructuringChargesRollforwardDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/RestructuringChargesRestructuringChargesRollforwardDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_6dfd9b1c-0ed6-460e-a8ab-6e55023c0cce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_03d30e66-adfb-4414-962c-325adb887aa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_6dfd9b1c-0ed6-460e-a8ab-6e55023c0cce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_03d30e66-adfb-4414-962c-325adb887aa5" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfRestructuringAndRelatedCostsTable_03d30e66-adfb-4414-962c-325adb887aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_00c8150c-43c4-4ed5-974b-b94e8a13613c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis_976e1183-e1a3-468d-a907-c3994a4385ea" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_00c8150c-43c4-4ed5-974b-b94e8a13613c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_5f34c918-d3ad-4300-bf2d-e09f5cae0b6d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_00c8150c-43c4-4ed5-974b-b94e8a13613c" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OfficeSpaceReductionsMember_5f34c918-d3ad-4300-bf2d-e09f5cae0b6d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_341eac60-0796-4023-9974-e061e8bec30b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_00c8150c-43c4-4ed5-974b-b94e8a13613c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember_341eac60-0796-4023-9974-e061e8bec30b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_db5b7702-df0b-4066-8f24-3565b0e787d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TypeOfRestructuringDomain_00c8150c-43c4-4ed5-974b-b94e8a13613c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember_db5b7702-df0b-4066-8f24-3565b0e787d6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems_6dfd9b1c-0ed6-460e-a8ab-6e55023c0cce" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_67dbfdae-ad4b-4dd1-82ab-03b3034cb706" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_67dbfdae-ad4b-4dd1-82ab-03b3034cb706" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestructuringReserve_5aac3454-9df6-45a0-bdde-68032fb01d54" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestructuringReserve"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestructuringReserve_5aac3454-9df6-45a0-bdde-68032fb01d54" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_68d65086-8d4e-408b-8263-c86944a99f03" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring_68d65086-8d4e-408b-8263-c86944a99f03" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1_79c737b1-cc6f-4a9b-84f2-922fc76177ce" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward_424e2ac5-cc60-4b8f-bf32-5d467ccce95f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserveAccrualAdjustment1_79c737b1-cc6f-4a9b-84f2-922fc76177ce" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringReserve_6d411c58-1592-486e-a453-164e6fd032ad" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringReserve"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivityAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivityAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivityAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_83682e9b-ab54-4331-a0b6-1b90cda58a4e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_83682e9b-ab54-4331-a0b6-1b90cda58a4e" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresTable_83682e9b-ab54-4331-a0b6-1b90cda58a4e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e7e7e1de-3420-4b9c-8522-081387fcc7a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_b4bdaf9b-9a19-4992-b698-27b0f022005c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e7e7e1de-3420-4b9c-8522-081387fcc7a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_b50e985b-5510-46cd-a9a1-722fabe8153d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e7e7e1de-3420-4b9c-8522-081387fcc7a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_b50e985b-5510-46cd-a9a1-722fabe8153d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_aa26e652-e65e-434d-ab21-804ee3401255" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_e7e7e1de-3420-4b9c-8522-081387fcc7a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_aa26e652-e65e-434d-ab21-804ee3401255" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_d14f0791-e4cb-4ee7-92cf-447c591fca8d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_d14f0791-e4cb-4ee7-92cf-447c591fca8d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DurationOfSOFR_2c076110-66c0-45c7-b92c-beb57993a760" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DurationOfSOFR"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DurationOfSOFR_2c076110-66c0-45c7-b92c-beb57993a760" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_d66e1ebf-7a72-459b-b280-3384c351591b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet_d66e1ebf-7a72-459b-b280-3384c351591b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimateOfTimeToTransfer1_1c62782d-4be1-4579-92d3-42a7ff46d4ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimateOfTimeToTransfer1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimateOfTimeToTransfer1_1c62782d-4be1-4579-92d3-42a7ff46d4ec" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months_493ff7e5-36ad-44bc-bd42-4f4956ef8a1a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12Months_493ff7e5-36ad-44bc-bd42-4f4956ef8a1a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates_5ced672b-acc0-40cd-b3e3-0f03895200c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsAndHedgingActivitiesDisclosuresLineItems_ba78e862-85cf-4b7b-82af-c1c58a8d9360" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeMaturityDates_5ced672b-acc0-40cd-b3e3-0f03895200c1" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimateOfTimeToTransfer1_15bebbb5-469e-4571-83ff-779bb3b5a067" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassificationFromAccumulatedOCIToIncomeEstimateOfTimeToTransfer1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsandHedgingActivitiesDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_8ed497e3-0700-4fb0-8b73-344f471ac434" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_8ed497e3-0700-4fb0-8b73-344f471ac434" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValuesDerivativesBalanceSheetLocationByDerivativeContractTypeByHedgingDesignationTable_8ed497e3-0700-4fb0-8b73-344f471ac434" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis_1495b250-af03-499a-a3a5-ff83ec86bd17" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_ebba7e85-5847-498a-85e4-e14b4701ec88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PrepaidExpensesAndOtherCurrentAssetsMember_ebba7e85-5847-498a-85e4-e14b4701ec88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_287dccf1-be3b-4170-94a3-d7aa3c0d49e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentAssetsMember_287dccf1-be3b-4170-94a3-d7aa3c0d49e2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_264e0dc5-93cf-4777-b6f6-bc9ff37b3709" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember_264e0dc5-93cf-4777-b6f6-bc9ff37b3709" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_0998e556-56e9-45ec-aff1-765d2c8d1e65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationDomain_98a8e4a4-d293-4756-bf71-c8d0ae185667" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccruedLiabilitiesMember_0998e556-56e9-45ec-aff1-765d2c8d1e65" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_67893bcf-9a0b-4ab8-b5ae-3138e564e209" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeDerivativeAtFairValueNet_67893bcf-9a0b-4ab8-b5ae-3138e564e209" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentAssetsAtFairValue_e1332426-f30c-480f-bd2d-4ae89f059f65" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentAssetsAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentAssetsAtFairValue_e1332426-f30c-480f-bd2d-4ae89f059f65" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_630e5fd0-1dfc-4216-8c0a-c52cd2c01eb6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedgeLiabilityAtFairValue_630e5fd0-1dfc-4216-8c0a-c52cd2c01eb6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue_0792dd7b-6577-4875-afb7-7e52d64c345f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_b0090ff8-2207-4bdf-bffd-501b9a804a3d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeDerivativeInstrumentLiabilitiesAtFairValue_0792dd7b-6577-4875-afb7-7e52d64c345f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_3c9c4727-944a-47df-b8e4-dc3b3cc9aef4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_3c9c4727-944a-47df-b8e4-dc3b3cc9aef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_785dabb8-ca7b-4e67-bac9-8fc83fa013ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7a817416-5dc6-4bbd-8422-c2b72af11483" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_785dabb8-ca7b-4e67-bac9-8fc83fa013ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_68b060e1-f336-4376-b64b-a1be2fdab5e2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_785dabb8-ca7b-4e67-bac9-8fc83fa013ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_68b060e1-f336-4376-b64b-a1be2fdab5e2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d682bb4a-e194-4984-a646-9ee375f2fafe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_fbd1aaf1-7e71-41c8-8bb0-4d831d5531c7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d682bb4a-e194-4984-a646-9ee375f2fafe" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ee52b5d1-8a7a-4c37-912e-a3f18ee14c91" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d682bb4a-e194-4984-a646-9ee375f2fafe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_ee52b5d1-8a7a-4c37-912e-a3f18ee14c91" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_a563de18-408d-4662-9a6a-ebf4841ca7c8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d682bb4a-e194-4984-a646-9ee375f2fafe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_a563de18-408d-4662-9a6a-ebf4841ca7c8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_bfc1eff2-bf73-451a-bb85-e7ca75ab834e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_047fe8cb-ec64-4b55-920a-2c4b35c48fd4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_bfc1eff2-bf73-451a-bb85-e7ca75ab834e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_4ced809a-d440-449e-a023-1808ae56ea2d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_bfc1eff2-bf73-451a-bb85-e7ca75ab834e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_4ced809a-d440-449e-a023-1808ae56ea2d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd06f3d-37a0-47db-97ee-0cb23a5f7c06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_922dd7c7-f426-4cb0-b4a7-4344f0003107" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd06f3d-37a0-47db-97ee-0cb23a5f7c06" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_20619903-2d03-47e9-b0dd-09028dcc284e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd06f3d-37a0-47db-97ee-0cb23a5f7c06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_20619903-2d03-47e9-b0dd-09028dcc284e" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_b442e67c-f1d2-427c-82d6-0e14310971d4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_3fd06f3d-37a0-47db-97ee-0cb23a5f7c06" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_b442e67c-f1d2-427c-82d6-0e14310971d4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_df5d3c48-e1dc-47c3-a19d-14fc3dd1fba7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_5aa660aa-b2b0-4777-b8f2-957578195a8a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_df5d3c48-e1dc-47c3-a19d-14fc3dd1fba7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_03d9eca7-52f8-44cc-b00d-cd56b3c19bfe" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_df5d3c48-e1dc-47c3-a19d-14fc3dd1fba7" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_03d9eca7-52f8-44cc-b00d-cd56b3c19bfe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_80555b1a-50a2-4b10-b33f-ef1af3e3a0bf" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_a5809ff3-587b-44e7-963b-9ecdce16b761" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassAxis_92f18cf8-47da-496b-af6f-d1ffa9c4edec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_a5809ff3-587b-44e7-963b-9ecdce16b761" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetsMember_a0d104d0-155f-47da-92e0-a4a63f8c4cfc" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_UnderlyingAssetClassDomain_a5809ff3-587b-44e7-963b-9ecdce16b761" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DeferredCompensationPlanAssetsMember_a0d104d0-155f-47da-92e0-a4a63f8c4cfc" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_c6a72aae-9512-4c63-804f-b72ea0ca0ec0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_3c9c4727-944a-47df-b8e4-dc3b3cc9aef4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_c6a72aae-9512-4c63-804f-b72ea0ca0ec0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_eb025a11-0b9c-4de4-9db9-b19f056bd332" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract_c6a72aae-9512-4c63-804f-b72ea0ca0ec0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_eb025a11-0b9c-4de4-9db9-b19f056bd332" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_d071b0c6-4d1f-468a-9524-a6c01225451f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_eb025a11-0b9c-4de4-9db9-b19f056bd332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_d071b0c6-4d1f-468a-9524-a6c01225451f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_3e1fc1bc-a1a2-4a31-9be9-cb12eb580e6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract_eb025a11-0b9c-4de4-9db9-b19f056bd332" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_3e1fc1bc-a1a2-4a31-9be9-cb12eb580e6c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9aa6d5a5-9025-484f-8adf-fdbf6e8be50f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_bb0e09ea-0c8e-4115-b0b3-122abeaaf350" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9aa6d5a5-9025-484f-8adf-fdbf6e8be50f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_45415ef6-6a60-423b-b659-027331b002b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9aa6d5a5-9025-484f-8adf-fdbf6e8be50f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_45415ef6-6a60-423b-b659-027331b002b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_00f34584-21a7-457b-9dce-2a6be55e21eb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_9aa6d5a5-9025-484f-8adf-fdbf6e8be50f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_00f34584-21a7-457b-9dce-2a6be55e21eb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e96c4df-c454-478c-92eb-ef8d20dbda64" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_2d2705e1-80e7-4fa0-9fba-d3460bb3d597" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e96c4df-c454-478c-92eb-ef8d20dbda64" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember_98e16700-c2f7-4079-b99d-4e40cc594e0a" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e96c4df-c454-478c-92eb-ef8d20dbda64" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember_98e16700-c2f7-4079-b99d-4e40cc594e0a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_MedicallyHomeGroupInc.Member_1b71210d-4f26-47f3-8e87-8bb4d6820dce" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_MedicallyHomeGroupInc.Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_7e96c4df-c454-478c-92eb-ef8d20dbda64" xlink:to="loc_hurn_MedicallyHomeGroupInc.Member_1b71210d-4f26-47f3-8e87-8bb4d6820dce" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ea3d1107-8ec1-4c91-a2ad-dc1840925d08" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_e2ee756f-a8e1-422d-b227-eaa9ccd90955" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ea3d1107-8ec1-4c91-a2ad-dc1840925d08" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_3e8b00c9-a216-4cd1-a219-5605d1df1bf4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_ea3d1107-8ec1-4c91-a2ad-dc1840925d08" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_3e8b00c9-a216-4cd1-a219-5605d1df1bf4" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d2060776-3957-4ed3-ad5b-eefced657000" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_6f0b167f-5118-413c-a06c-69ceae437353" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_d2060776-3957-4ed3-ad5b-eefced657000" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_341db394-7404-4873-90ae-6cebcd287d68" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_239e628e-b078-4eec-b6a9-a92504bcc584" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_341db394-7404-4873-90ae-6cebcd287d68" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember_aa97fa2f-143e-4679-9b57-98635d290c88" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_341db394-7404-4873-90ae-6cebcd287d68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputPriceVolatilityMember_aa97fa2f-143e-4679-9b57-98635d290c88" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_6365b011-48d8-441e-b4c3-d4d767bc46f9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain_341db394-7404-4873-90ae-6cebcd287d68" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_6365b011-48d8-441e-b4c3-d4d767bc46f9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_580a364d-3560-490e-8c89-27359dc533a1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_07669e22-0e38-4a54-b019-61d320aafdcf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_56a8b069-668c-4578-819d-0a97f0398687" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_07669e22-0e38-4a54-b019-61d320aafdcf" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_348d153a-f647-47f1-8871-3469e65fe7c2" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_07669e22-0e38-4a54-b019-61d320aafdcf" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_348d153a-f647-47f1-8871-3469e65fe7c2" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongTermInvestments_b06566bc-3fd6-4917-8ad3-e026b475de33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LongTermInvestments"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LongTermInvestments_b06566bc-3fd6-4917-8ad3-e026b475de33" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_23444d81-b7b9-4574-a6c3-b0f6e3dc90d6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage_23444d81-b7b9-4574-a6c3-b0f6e3dc90d6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_daa415d4-5a7e-408d-b33c-c64119d71fb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate_daa415d4-5a7e-408d-b33c-c64119d71fb5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMeasurementInput_7d6b8cfb-76f7-48a8-901b-7bc04b7e8d28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMeasurementInput"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMeasurementInput_7d6b8cfb-76f7-48a8-901b-7bc04b7e8d28" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossAnnualAmount_bfa6bec4-698e-4486-98fc-80912cd7b0f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossAnnualAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossAnnualAmount_bfa6bec4-698e-4486-98fc-80912cd7b0f6" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossCumulativeAmount_65e97170-455a-468f-9522-15d0d92a7292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossCumulativeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueImpairmentLossCumulativeAmount_65e97170-455a-468f-9522-15d0d92a7292" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_73c85c33-60ec-46f1-973d-eb192240bcc2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueAmount_73c85c33-60ec-46f1-973d-eb192240bcc2" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss_9e57a1b1-a7b5-40cb-b5a0-aff27fffa182" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DebtAndEquitySecuritiesUnrealizedGainLoss_9e57a1b1-a7b5-40cb-b5a0-aff27fffa182" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUpwardPriceAdjustmentCumulativeAmount_f6c2a2b6-d430-4670-8bee-e859d4b34c6e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUpwardPriceAdjustmentCumulativeAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_9e1b3295-3951-4e52-b5e0-9d4081a2cd57" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesWithoutReadilyDeterminableFairValueUpwardPriceAdjustmentCumulativeAmount_f6c2a2b6-d430-4670-8bee-e859d4b34c6e" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsConvertibleDebtInvestmentReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsConvertibleDebtInvestmentReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsConvertibleDebtInvestmentReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_ed08e98a-4509-4a7e-9892-a69a2d9ccc0d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_ed08e98a-4509-4a7e-9892-a69a2d9ccc0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_65d20501-5ad8-4c36-bfa9-9562911c38ae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis_17b9f6d1-d6d1-4d60-bc33-2e420e186185" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_65d20501-5ad8-4c36-bfa9-9562911c38ae" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember_fbf43827-0927-4fbf-9403-27d3ec7d46be" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RelatedPartyDomain_65d20501-5ad8-4c36-bfa9-9562911c38ae" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShorelightHoldingsLlcMember_fbf43827-0927-4fbf-9403-27d3ec7d46be" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2d0f3f6-c964-4328-bc34-e64af284dd3a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis_798acfa8-096c-4a22-98a7-62a03b79937a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2d0f3f6-c964-4328-bc34-e64af284dd3a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_3bea41bb-0f2d-4abd-8bf8-404382d846b3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_d2d0f3f6-c964-4328-bc34-e64af284dd3a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ConvertibleDebtSecuritiesMember_3bea41bb-0f2d-4abd-8bf8-404382d846b3" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_bdab122c-290b-49f7-b0d7-67a5ed124238" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_232b185a-ee77-406d-9ced-8f9021cf3668" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_bdab122c-290b-49f7-b0d7-67a5ed124238" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_497afc43-07a2-4ef1-93f8-bc55ed7996e8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_bdab122c-290b-49f7-b0d7-67a5ed124238" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_497afc43-07a2-4ef1-93f8-bc55ed7996e8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_5c8d0d37-89c4-4b5b-b4a4-8ff7d4089941" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3057935c-02ed-4db3-93db-e88c8625276b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_92e9eb65-71c4-485a-9575-63ef635666e3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_3057935c-02ed-4db3-93db-e88c8625276b" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_a03ace65-181a-4452-b4d8-964d1678aa2a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_ed08e98a-4509-4a7e-9892-a69a2d9ccc0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure_a03ace65-181a-4452-b4d8-964d1678aa2a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_ee08a71f-ea5c-431f-8c8b-10bec2dd0667" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_ed08e98a-4509-4a7e-9892-a69a2d9ccc0d" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss_ee08a71f-ea5c-431f-8c8b-10bec2dd0667" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsContingentConsiderationReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsContingentConsiderationReconciliationDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/FairValueofFinancialInstrumentsFairValueofFinancialInstrumentsContingentConsiderationReconciliationDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ca79cb92-c756-4668-a6bb-c8dbba743484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ca79cb92-c756-4668-a6bb-c8dbba743484" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ca79cb92-c756-4668-a6bb-c8dbba743484" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_232c7ae4-57f2-4d35-bc80-c1b92698bb3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_70fcdc33-0406-46ea-8a9e-bfbab8560c46" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_232c7ae4-57f2-4d35-bc80-c1b92698bb3c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_c475887e-4d24-49e5-9804-1e2f4b032620" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_232c7ae4-57f2-4d35-bc80-c1b92698bb3c" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_c475887e-4d24-49e5-9804-1e2f4b032620" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ca79cb92-c756-4668-a6bb-c8dbba743484" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_b481ff86-e560-4771-9ce4-a6f841b1018f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_a92187bf-f837-4ee7-a38f-33de7c833121" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_b481ff86-e560-4771-9ce4-a6f841b1018f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_8dd81bb6-2412-4708-8fe6-bffbc63b11ec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_b481ff86-e560-4771-9ce4-a6f841b1018f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_8dd81bb6-2412-4708-8fe6-bffbc63b11ec" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable_ca79cb92-c756-4668-a6bb-c8dbba743484" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9c342213-b078-4fbc-bc78-fec33f3cd2e0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_a167c359-a06f-4426-9c15-4a2b8842aac4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9c342213-b078-4fbc-bc78-fec33f3cd2e0" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d6a87545-ff5c-48df-aaee-f6e90445915c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d6a87545-ff5c-48df-aaee-f6e90445915c" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_55a34f6e-470c-46ce-888c-b3a979a55b46" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiability_55a34f6e-470c-46ce-888c-b3a979a55b46" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements_af2a5363-d106-4df6-b418-8645b25a87d5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements_af2a5363-d106-4df6-b418-8645b25a87d5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_ad413f77-2dc8-4816-81bd-8282d29f5190" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems_987cff0a-0fd9-42e1-98c3-c22a486c2aa5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisLiabilityGainLossIncludedInEarnings_ad413f77-2dc8-4816-81bd-8282d29f5190" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossNetofTaxDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossNetofTaxDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossComponentsofAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLossNetofTaxDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_23d6dc1e-1702-4cc4-88f9-bbdaff25d6ab" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_23d6dc1e-1702-4cc4-88f9-bbdaff25d6ab" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_23d6dc1e-1702-4cc4-88f9-bbdaff25d6ab" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6f1b5a29-9c4d-46b6-b687-0652338a2f7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_2ff25c21-a845-44d9-87ee-eabb43efe884" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6f1b5a29-9c4d-46b6-b687-0652338a2f7c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_360d4f6d-0672-4079-a97e-1d4afb611632" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6f1b5a29-9c4d-46b6-b687-0652338a2f7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_360d4f6d-0672-4079-a97e-1d4afb611632" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_e7db4cfa-b193-4e68-94a4-e271ac802569" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_6f1b5a29-9c4d-46b6-b687-0652338a2f7c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_e7db4cfa-b193-4e68-94a4-e271ac802569" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_0ae04003-95c8-42f2-8c35-39886fa9c912" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationAfterTax_0ae04003-95c8-42f2-8c35-39886fa9c912" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax_b156fe47-e98d-4399-9e5b-e521da33e5cd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax_b156fe47-e98d-4399-9e5b-e521da33e5cd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_b460df35-55fb-4ad9-a989-b2cf1f64ede5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationAfterTax_b460df35-55fb-4ad9-a989-b2cf1f64ede5" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_a9fdf4a1-ba33-4fff-ad44-7902c69487d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentNetOfTax_a9fdf4a1-ba33-4fff-ad44-7902c69487d1" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_0aa2db24-f16d-416b-a66a-dbcb1adfadda" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_0aa2db24-f16d-416b-a66a-dbcb1adfadda" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_b51fd22b-7428-410c-baa5-c20eaa68b4ea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_b51fd22b-7428-410c-baa5-c20eaa68b4ea" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentTax_12f980c3-52ad-4dfe-9f3b-63e8dcbad8e1" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_hurn_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentTax_12f980c3-52ad-4dfe-9f3b-63e8dcbad8e1" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_ca4e8a58-787e-4224-bce7-aa32b434ee28" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_ca4e8a58-787e-4224-bce7-aa32b434ee28" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_28a7ad4a-ab86-4a2e-bfa3-a92ee2d66eed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax_28a7ad4a-ab86-4a2e-bfa3-a92ee2d66eed" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_9905c0e1-42ef-45d5-8ffe-c2133b046c62" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossBeforeReclassificationTax_9905c0e1-42ef-45d5-8ffe-c2133b046c62" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax_bec37b04-afc3-4313-9e56-d7c2f5a29fe4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossCashFlowHedgeGainLossReclassificationTax_bec37b04-afc3-4313-9e56-d7c2f5a29fe4" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax_87fbf6cd-83af-484b-8238-040838678f07" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_8b2f0710-6e74-4679-b9e5-688a202f06b5" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax_87fbf6cd-83af-484b-8238-040838678f07" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems_dc0addfe-b32c-4c57-8023-6a127cffb3bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable_dbd93e7e-47d5-495a-a912-08182de77301" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTable"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_a1d32117-7013-4bfb-bffe-b3d17c5f36d1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_a1d32117-7013-4bfb-bffe-b3d17c5f36d1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain_ee358a18-f444-4e0c-bc23-c1261f90afea" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeContractTypeDomain"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember_c17849b2-06a9-48a6-9253-44013d1da63f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember_b4c7ccef-a622-4b3d-8008-05d49a885478" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax_15aa457f-8d2d-426b-b474-8a0e686b098c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AociLossCashFlowHedgeCumulativeGainLossAfterTax"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofRestrictedStockActivityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofRestrictedStockActivityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofRestrictedStockActivityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_01830b6c-ed9d-4fe2-967c-1bfadc1c030a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_66541fea-7f2a-4bac-85b5-5797046de0d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_01830b6c-ed9d-4fe2-967c-1bfadc1c030a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_66541fea-7f2a-4bac-85b5-5797046de0d0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_66541fea-7f2a-4bac-85b5-5797046de0d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_200964ab-e142-4321-95f6-fd6f8481558f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_f9f56dd3-cee5-4a29-8b4f-9e4b73211ba7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_200964ab-e142-4321-95f6-fd6f8481558f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember_47678506-d242-432d-836f-b0a0dd375f40" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_200964ab-e142-4321-95f6-fd6f8481558f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember_47678506-d242-432d-836f-b0a0dd375f40" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember_d63c483b-ad94-4988-bae9-a202e92f1a1e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_200964ab-e142-4321-95f6-fd6f8481558f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember_d63c483b-ad94-4988-bae9-a202e92f1a1e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_66541fea-7f2a-4bac-85b5-5797046de0d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a2fc3d7c-b140-4a59-8a52-25cc433b13b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_4ff0baab-0ed6-418c-b8f6-66ff5f6b41fe" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a2fc3d7c-b140-4a59-8a52-25cc433b13b8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_95429e06-68ff-4e27-9602-a35a172547ca" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_a2fc3d7c-b140-4a59-8a52-25cc433b13b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_95429e06-68ff-4e27-9602-a35a172547ca" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_01830b6c-ed9d-4fe2-967c-1bfadc1c030a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_b1fa72e5-1038-4a61-a6d6-34e58319eaf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_b1fa72e5-1038-4a61-a6d6-34e58319eaf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e3e615dd-0535-4607-9bad-e89f063ee2f6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e3e615dd-0535-4607-9bad-e89f063ee2f6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_a99cc371-2dba-4a4f-a163-cdd0d7894905" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_a99cc371-2dba-4a4f-a163-cdd0d7894905" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_9f4204fe-f2b0-407b-b83b-afa4899118f0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_71549090-90db-43b6-83ab-e159621cbddd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_9f4204fe-f2b0-407b-b83b-afa4899118f0" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_7ea38dce-50a4-4156-a99a-d4e485f3e826" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_01830b6c-ed9d-4fe2-967c-1bfadc1c030a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_10355f63-1550-4131-bda0-6e69b04618bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_10355f63-1550-4131-bda0-6e69b04618bb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_82ad5ef5-3cd1-420a-ac65-7cd1f77778c2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_82ad5ef5-3cd1-420a-ac65-7cd1f77778c2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e276d26e-c284-4c6a-9d87-718c03022a6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_e276d26e-c284-4c6a-9d87-718c03022a6c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0aba1403-7c92-4185-a66c-17deadfd5da5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_5fdfb8b2-1610-4122-93d5-d03be7da1ed1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_0aba1403-7c92-4185-a66c-17deadfd5da5" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_f12e9fd5-b9b9-4fb2-b761-518caf286a7c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedStockActivityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedStockActivityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedStockActivityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1ae1a364-a29d-40b8-afd1-1f1fca383586" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ecc9bb55-baa2-4097-b9cc-e0ee28b0d24f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1ae1a364-a29d-40b8-afd1-1f1fca383586" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ecc9bb55-baa2-4097-b9cc-e0ee28b0d24f" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ecc9bb55-baa2-4097-b9cc-e0ee28b0d24f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_75a45848-1890-4c9d-908c-4018e7d25a04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5bf7406f-ec31-4a02-94fd-ea0f83d6ebd1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_75a45848-1890-4c9d-908c-4018e7d25a04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_6a13459d-a3c2-4e18-8f2e-469e8d251821" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_75a45848-1890-4c9d-908c-4018e7d25a04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_6a13459d-a3c2-4e18-8f2e-469e8d251821" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ecc9bb55-baa2-4097-b9cc-e0ee28b0d24f" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_256e690f-ec2d-4048-b84e-4e30c2ae47e5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_9f146b8c-f0f2-4559-acc5-6f2d3b174c82" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_256e690f-ec2d-4048-b84e-4e30c2ae47e5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_b51281a1-8b07-43e2-adac-d39a1a2568cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_256e690f-ec2d-4048-b84e-4e30c2ae47e5" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_b51281a1-8b07-43e2-adac-d39a1a2568cb" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1ae1a364-a29d-40b8-afd1-1f1fca383586" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_fb1d51ef-e4af-407f-b068-631f54304fba" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_fb1d51ef-e4af-407f-b068-631f54304fba" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e09fd8b1-ecf4-4b44-9461-5de3b7593c3c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod_e09fd8b1-ecf4-4b44-9461-5de3b7593c3c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4502fc34-e14d-41ac-82e9-b48ace63fa5c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod_4502fc34-e14d-41ac-82e9-b48ace63fa5c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_03c2ac7d-c0f3-4662-b558-6129d1fe7288" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod_03c2ac7d-c0f3-4662-b558-6129d1fe7288" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber_bc4f3137-918b-451a-bd59-ac2aaceb18a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceShares_537c58a5-cc46-409f-b00b-c77ee712a478" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward_faccdee1-39bd-492d-a73c-9f7594efbc15" xlink:to="loc_hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceShares_537c58a5-cc46-409f-b00b-c77ee712a478" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_1ae1a364-a29d-40b8-afd1-1f1fca383586" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_855deb5a-3832-4524-a0ea-3904cf4fa6fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_855deb5a-3832-4524-a0ea-3904cf4fa6fa" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bebeacc2-f2e7-414c-b40f-11a540316563" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_bebeacc2-f2e7-414c-b40f-11a540316563" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ca90f281-f7fc-4d14-9c33-7849637c5690" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_ca90f281-f7fc-4d14-9c33-7849637c5690" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d09c069e-bf54-4702-953c-05d3e88ef51a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward_50925a95-6dda-48fc-816a-6f9804163b60" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_d09c069e-bf54-4702-953c-05d3e88ef51a" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_8de8c3af-49c9-492d-bd8a-9acc895d4f80" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedOptionActivityDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofPerformanceBasedOptionActivityDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ef812f6e-8427-4259-a33c-09f8e06c8053" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ef812f6e-8427-4259-a33c-09f8e06c8053" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ef812f6e-8427-4259-a33c-09f8e06c8053" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8d25b221-ce2e-4f48-a03a-196ca4a7d468" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_15f22446-9785-4ad2-be25-d2417305992c" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8d25b221-ce2e-4f48-a03a-196ca4a7d468" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_533b1213-7f9f-4f52-9f17-78845914f0fe" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_8d25b221-ce2e-4f48-a03a-196ca4a7d468" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_533b1213-7f9f-4f52-9f17-78845914f0fe" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_ef812f6e-8427-4259-a33c-09f8e06c8053" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_4f054fe6-0105-46f9-aadd-4faa6ee0c739" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_1b3d5006-a5ac-47a3-ab19-dd6b76cb9f6c" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_4f054fe6-0105-46f9-aadd-4faa6ee0c739" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_b1119159-3a3e-46ea-8b0c-79e836388612" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_4f054fe6-0105-46f9-aadd-4faa6ee0c739" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_b1119159-3a3e-46ea-8b0c-79e836388612" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_a8357c24-078b-496c-8c06-ed37262ffc2e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate_a8357c24-078b-496c-8c06-ed37262ffc2e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_0d5c6923-78a1-40ff-9806-af358c8fa815" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRate_0d5c6923-78a1-40ff-9806-af358c8fa815" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_14c3dbbc-3f37-4cfe-8036-c990481d8bfb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRate_14c3dbbc-3f37-4cfe-8036-c990481d8bfb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_103fbbfe-18af-4ede-b502-4cdbcbafb89c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstract_c8b98852-a773-43ef-a94d-5177e080a090" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTerm1_103fbbfe-18af-4ede-b502-4cdbcbafb89c" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_32eb9f1a-dd69-43ce-bbc2-99fd832c9270" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_32eb9f1a-dd69-43ce-bbc2-99fd832c9270" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_0c294fa6-dfe1-44fb-9977-cf5bc5b156c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_0c294fa6-dfe1-44fb-9977-cf5bc5b156c6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_555eaf0a-daf5-4b03-b273-6056230239cf" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_555eaf0a-daf5-4b03-b273-6056230239cf" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_477f5338-fc6d-4fbf-9c2e-daaebe871f0b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_477f5338-fc6d-4fbf-9c2e-daaebe871f0b" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_4e88faeb-98ca-4f04-8782-b8e6a4384e7e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5108765d-1e80-4594-9eb0-75f9608f2b29" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_4e88faeb-98ca-4f04-8782-b8e6a4384e7e" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_79260c8b-d5c0-493f-98df-b141cb5d1d16" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_79260c8b-d5c0-493f-98df-b141cb5d1d16" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_ac525084-1bd9-4229-ae0d-8c9c3284e484" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_ac525084-1bd9-4229-ae0d-8c9c3284e484" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a7a57f33-4707-4a8e-b40f-4cc380f8c9c0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_a7a57f33-4707-4a8e-b40f-4cc380f8c9c0" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_02dc6ea8-3d0a-45e1-b2af-ff2e897a4f42" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_02dc6ea8-3d0a-45e1-b2af-ff2e897a4f42" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_bfdf61c9-3dad-40bc-9e68-e9b84e367686" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_556cbe3f-a12c-42ac-8cb3-fe82c7d1a519" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_bfdf61c9-3dad-40bc-9e68-e9b84e367686" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_3547e1cf-dfdd-495e-89ef-218f5d0b3eed" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_ded8e475-56a2-44ad-ac42-f2061821efb5" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_ded8e475-56a2-44ad-ac42-f2061821efb5" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_1f6bc481-6ba3-40c1-aa6c-a0160451146f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_1f6bc481-6ba3-40c1-aa6c-a0160451146f" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_43510776-6801-46a5-95ae-2c9aadffd1bb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_43510776-6801-46a5-95ae-2c9aadffd1bb" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_2e6546d2-6198-477f-8667-b230f0aa4999" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_2e6546d2-6198-477f-8667-b230f0aa4999" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_f59814ea-2f01-41c1-b0df-57419110e952" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_f59814ea-2f01-41c1-b0df-57419110e952" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceStockOptions_396b0c57-7066-46ad-a07d-28696291013e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceStockOptions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_hurn_NonvestedAndUnearnedPerformanceStockOptions_396b0c57-7066-46ad-a07d-28696291013e" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_e078d107-d4dd-46ac-8261-407496f57202" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_6a371814-45d0-4810-a249-29bfbd875768" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_e078d107-d4dd-46ac-8261-407496f57202" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofTimeVestedStockOptionActivityDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofTimeVestedStockOptionActivityDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansScheduleofTimeVestedStockOptionActivityDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4e3960f3-73a6-4e25-87c5-6e42cc3051a3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_714f6d34-c006-4590-86e3-037ed7e481c1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4e3960f3-73a6-4e25-87c5-6e42cc3051a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_714f6d34-c006-4590-86e3-037ed7e481c1" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_714f6d34-c006-4590-86e3-037ed7e481c1" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b2ad7d03-8aae-4387-9032-0a6d6829cf58" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_bb2085c9-2197-42f2-a400-0f5105d3feb3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b2ad7d03-8aae-4387-9032-0a6d6829cf58" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_923217aa-004e-4deb-926d-e5da3ef91849" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_b2ad7d03-8aae-4387-9032-0a6d6829cf58" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_923217aa-004e-4deb-926d-e5da3ef91849" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4e3960f3-73a6-4e25-87c5-6e42cc3051a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_34291648-3272-47c7-9600-389ff513dfa8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_34291648-3272-47c7-9600-389ff513dfa8" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_ad22eb5f-a144-434b-9cb2-0e3263f27dfa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_ad22eb5f-a144-434b-9cb2-0e3263f27dfa" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_8ad3f7bf-e0d8-4506-8d38-7bdcea44b12d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross_8ad3f7bf-e0d8-4506-8d38-7bdcea44b12d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_58adfae0-09b5-40de-b1bf-deb5846bd697" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_58adfae0-09b5-40de-b1bf-deb5846bd697" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_8e9ccfd4-7240-4f95-bed6-84f0e550eaae" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriod_8e9ccfd4-7240-4f95-bed6-84f0e550eaae" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_3faa45e3-7314-477a-9302-b4dfe0262166" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_3faa45e3-7314-477a-9302-b4dfe0262166" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_7dcb376a-9d4e-41d8-b162-3d1bfe31089d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableIntrinsicValue1_7dcb376a-9d4e-41d8-b162-3d1bfe31089d" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_e69d3426-580b-4f4e-a120-3c49e3537751" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedNumberOfSharesRollForward_5eda37c6-bc6d-4a77-aae5-5bbb9fe1d829" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_e69d3426-580b-4f4e-a120-3c49e3537751" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_98abfa77-053b-4571-8841-8ef1d10e2d5a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4e3960f3-73a6-4e25-87c5-6e42cc3051a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_98abfa77-053b-4571-8841-8ef1d10e2d5a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_62a6376c-8cd8-4c7a-b6ce-34328e1c0bdb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_98abfa77-053b-4571-8841-8ef1d10e2d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_62a6376c-8cd8-4c7a-b6ce-34328e1c0bdb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3c8dcfbc-c7e6-4303-956e-5e923ae24a7b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_98abfa77-053b-4571-8841-8ef1d10e2d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_3c8dcfbc-c7e6-4303-956e-5e923ae24a7b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_1ae23492-d3de-4843-85ba-2072e889522d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueAbstract_98abfa77-053b-4571-8841-8ef1d10e2d5a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresAndExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_1ae23492-d3de-4843-85ba-2072e889522d" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_774183cf-4984-4d5b-bf6e-dae7ecda30b8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_4e3960f3-73a6-4e25-87c5-6e42cc3051a3" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_774183cf-4984-4d5b-bf6e-dae7ecda30b8" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_0cfde13d-46a4-4d49-be79-64248929edf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_774183cf-4984-4d5b-bf6e-dae7ecda30b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_0cfde13d-46a4-4d49-be79-64248929edf6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_0a0dd6d4-0a81-4599-b2f4-8e9207eb0c76" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_774183cf-4984-4d5b-bf6e-dae7ecda30b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue_0a0dd6d4-0a81-4599-b2f4-8e9207eb0c76" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_763b1451-d5d3-4f7f-92da-d6841ed8b0ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract_774183cf-4984-4d5b-bf6e-dae7ecda30b8" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_763b1451-d5d3-4f7f-92da-d6841ed8b0ed" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#EquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/EquityIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_7967156f-2809-430b-baf0-1b04920b29c6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameAxis_5119afb6-4ef8-49fa-a4ee-fa3b8dab239e" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_7967156f-2809-430b-baf0-1b04920b29c6" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember_ebd7bf89-d47e-4fef-9fe3-d77ee8e5fc0d" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_7967156f-2809-430b-baf0-1b04920b29c6" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TwoThousandAndTwelvePlanMember_ebd7bf89-d47e-4fef-9fe3-d77ee8e5fc0d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember_0adeff30-b609-4506-ab00-c62d5e6ab5c7" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PlanNameDomain_7967156f-2809-430b-baf0-1b04920b29c6" xlink:to="loc_hurn_StockOwnershipParticipationProgramMember_0adeff30-b609-4506-ab00-c62d5e6ab5c7" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeAxis_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeAxis_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeAxis_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_95783bff-a0b7-4e23-b49e-a44dac5e0b31" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeAxis_72a84adc-221b-4357-a381-53a7ec14144a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_95783bff-a0b7-4e23-b49e-a44dac5e0b31" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_1ffadfbb-02ee-4522-9c56-4a8d2205da43" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_95783bff-a0b7-4e23-b49e-a44dac5e0b31" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember_1ffadfbb-02ee-4522-9c56-4a8d2205da43" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_5826663c-cac0-42c3-a31f-a66eb31bf731" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_95783bff-a0b7-4e23-b49e-a44dac5e0b31" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_5826663c-cac0-42c3-a31f-a66eb31bf731" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_614c7767-776d-4a64-9de7-c7a92152e05a" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OptionIndexedToIssuersEquityTypeDomain_95783bff-a0b7-4e23-b49e-a44dac5e0b31" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_614c7767-776d-4a64-9de7-c7a92152e05a" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_7cfe7abe-6a76-4023-9262-657746dfbc9f" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_944217a2-1bd0-41be-a63d-2f07bf32995b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestrictedStockMember_944217a2-1bd0-41be-a63d-2f07bf32995b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_e2641e2d-fc28-47c0-b422-03ae61f71d9c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember_e2641e2d-fc28-47c0-b422-03ae61f71d9c" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_a5ecdb88-1ece-443a-bd71-0d752c5c69a6" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:to="loc_hurn_PerformanceBasedStockOptionsMember_a5ecdb88-1ece-443a-bd71-0d752c5c69a6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_4c8b42fa-31d2-40a3-9bc2-92b3713b91c8" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_3d4d37c5-77a0-4b86-a57d-3bcd5dcd9b04" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TimeVestedStockOptionMember_4c8b42fa-31d2-40a3-9bc2-92b3713b91c8" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeMember_a66f349b-e89b-458f-8cb8-e1984aa73364" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_RangeMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeAxis_f9a201c1-eb7a-42ef-aa5c-9df8c221c6e9" xlink:to="loc_srt_RangeMember_a66f349b-e89b-458f-8cb8-e1984aa73364" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MinimumMember_08ebac2e-b962-4a86-b7cc-18b368e81716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MinimumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a66f349b-e89b-458f-8cb8-e1984aa73364" xlink:to="loc_srt_MinimumMember_08ebac2e-b962-4a86-b7cc-18b368e81716" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7b6cc446-6036-420d-9140-713c5191b332" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_MaximumMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_RangeMember_a66f349b-e89b-458f-8cb8-e1984aa73364" xlink:to="loc_srt_MaximumMember_7b6cc446-6036-420d-9140-713c5191b332" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_StatementScenarioAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardTable_50dae258-584b-4689-8e11-6dd86fbff6b6" xlink:to="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7c89030a-b5c8-4ba6-bf29-f8bee053d61f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_54513a4f-6f0b-4f58-8a62-70b16cfdebf6" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7c89030a-b5c8-4ba6-bf29-f8bee053d61f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_4a1d1dc5-4f94-4461-8746-df8590d8204b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ScenarioForecastMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ScenarioUnspecifiedDomain_7c89030a-b5c8-4ba6-bf29-f8bee053d61f" xlink:to="loc_srt_ScenarioForecastMember_4a1d1dc5-4f94-4461-8746-df8590d8204b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_e059b7d3-3d11-4518-bdaa-16b6fc87d8b0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant_e059b7d3-3d11-4518-bdaa-16b6fc87d8b0" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockGrantedAsAPercentageOfPurchasedShares_6f08084a-1f49-48ad-9f76-2be3089430ac" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockGrantedAsAPercentageOfPurchasedShares"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockGrantedAsAPercentageOfPurchasedShares_6f08084a-1f49-48ad-9f76-2be3089430ac" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumAge_cc391489-8ebc-4c21-8603-100ce61fd868" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumAge"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumAge_cc391489-8ebc-4c21-8603-100ce61fd868" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumTermOfService_517830ba-d834-4a02-b9c5-0c6d109b50f9" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumTermOfService"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RetirementEligibleProvisionMinimumTermOfService_517830ba-d834-4a02-b9c5-0c6d109b50f9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_8511cddb-ab36-4486-a3fb-3ac862bf9e06" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense_8511cddb-ab36-4486-a3fb-3ac862bf9e06" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_71bed27b-c56b-4398-bf80-f11d0728b843" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitFromCompensationExpense_71bed27b-c56b-4398-bf80-f11d0728b843" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_8ddf0a29-646e-47a8-9fb6-d7ff88a87292" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized_8ddf0a29-646e-47a8-9fb6-d7ff88a87292" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_UnrecognizedCompensationCostsForNonvestedShareBasedAwardsWeightedAveragePeriod_d936af44-9184-4a71-9597-be6f3f19a0f7" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_UnrecognizedCompensationCostsForNonvestedShareBasedAwardsWeightedAveragePeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_hurn_UnrecognizedCompensationCostsForNonvestedShareBasedAwardsWeightedAveragePeriod_d936af44-9184-4a71-9597-be6f3f19a0f7" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_2d11fb9b-f52b-48c7-8e7a-8d6642fc99c3" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1_2d11fb9b-f52b-48c7-8e7a-8d6642fc99c3" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_835ca711-d7d1-409e-8f60-5878ad3ecd74" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue_835ca711-d7d1-409e-8f60-5878ad3ecd74" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4a476a4e-907d-4483-b925-c14a03a1864f" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_4a476a4e-907d-4483-b925-c14a03a1864f" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriodOne_e0507c1f-cc78-423d-a230-572f4ef47459" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriodOne"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriodOne_e0507c1f-cc78-423d-a230-572f4ef47459" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_37d1a12d-e760-4640-ab2e-5aa347a7b1fa" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue_37d1a12d-e760-4640-ab2e-5aa347a7b1fa" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3598ad28-c6fc-4fda-9b28-7745148d8e4c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue_3598ad28-c6fc-4fda-9b28-7745148d8e4c" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_a809066b-01af-476d-913b-492c890b045d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized_a809066b-01af-476d-913b-492c890b045d" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAcceleratedCompensationCost_4c5a95b9-777a-45cd-95b3-6e048015c963" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAcceleratedCompensationCost"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAcceleratedCompensationCost_4c5a95b9-777a-45cd-95b3-6e048015c963" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_6041d2e0-e42d-4cfd-88e5-edcc3b298183" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems_57beabc9-dd24-49b7-851f-20cc5efcab93" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1_6041d2e0-e42d-4cfd-88e5-edcc3b298183" xlink:type="arc" order="16"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/IncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureTable_45fc0184-b609-4a36-a1ea-76119c005333" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureTable_45fc0184-b609-4a36-a1ea-76119c005333" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureTable_45fc0184-b609-4a36-a1ea-76119c005333" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0cd10940-54d8-47db-8a02-5bfbc1160b9a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis_ced2dccf-5263-4877-8367-e472f59f81be" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0cd10940-54d8-47db-8a02-5bfbc1160b9a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_75a0eac0-d489-456e-b746-2d39f331604d" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0cd10940-54d8-47db-8a02-5bfbc1160b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember_75a0eac0-d489-456e-b746-2d39f331604d" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_8eaf9d37-0d38-4800-8e0c-149bcf95ceef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0cd10940-54d8-47db-8a02-5bfbc1160b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_8eaf9d37-0d38-4800-8e0c-149bcf95ceef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_7d4b27e1-8952-420d-b8ef-ad09d27283ed" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_0cd10940-54d8-47db-8a02-5bfbc1160b9a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember_7d4b27e1-8952-420d-b8ef-ad09d27283ed" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_06f06481-4622-4f85-babc-5d09c8f55b10" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance_06f06481-4622-4f85-babc-5d09c8f55b10" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_e58e3032-326b-49d5-a606-57934667ba33" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards_e58e3032-326b-49d5-a606-57934667ba33" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount_21a70875-9f56-4894-91cc-9e1a40ee776b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount_21a70875-9f56-4894-91cc-9e1a40ee776b" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxExaminationPeriod_28ecac1a-14be-40cb-b6cd-28a60f43ecd4" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_IncomeTaxExaminationPeriod"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxExaminationPeriod_28ecac1a-14be-40cb-b6cd-28a60f43ecd4" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardExpirationDate_a13d58a2-dd2e-4abf-8a01-fc34554c5578" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardExpirationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardExpirationDate_a13d58a2-dd2e-4abf-8a01-fc34554c5578" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationDate_5f9e8f96-17b2-4c6e-9d58-8d54c594d366" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationDate"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_IncomeTaxDisclosureLineItems_8c2d3deb-0fd8-4506-84df-4110878aa82a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsExpirationDate_5f9e8f96-17b2-4c6e-9d58-8d54c594d366" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesandGuaranteesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#CommitmentsContingenciesandGuaranteesAdditionalInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/CommitmentsContingenciesandGuaranteesAdditionalInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable_b081f19d-3932-4e2d-8f7b-c7ada0c1c832" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable_b081f19d-3932-4e2d-8f7b-c7ada0c1c832" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable_b081f19d-3932-4e2d-8f7b-c7ada0c1c832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_72a9f12c-e937-47d5-8264-79e99fe6373a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_9adca649-ddb8-44a4-b262-782feaad6089" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_72a9f12c-e937-47d5-8264-79e99fe6373a" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ed06d83e-8f22-452d-9b07-fab9e418e6f8" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_72a9f12c-e937-47d5-8264-79e99fe6373a" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_ed06d83e-8f22-452d-9b07-fab9e418e6f8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable_b081f19d-3932-4e2d-8f7b-c7ada0c1c832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_d0849a5a-ccf3-4665-a442-9ad8315d4568" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByLiabilityClassAxis_28e5e29b-679c-4470-a121-fab894b6b716" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_d0849a5a-ccf3-4665-a442-9ad8315d4568" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_f66beb99-d6b5-45cf-b56d-66142e5848ac" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByLiabilityClassDomain_d0849a5a-ccf3-4665-a442-9ad8315d4568" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ContingentConsiderationLiabilityMember_f66beb99-d6b5-45cf-b56d-66142e5848ac" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesTable_b081f19d-3932-4e2d-8f7b-c7ada0c1c832" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1b6b17f3-79c1-4483-871b-778aea56dcbd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis_7d294dbf-ef78-43cb-a7d2-a5c07c08ffb2" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1b6b17f3-79c1-4483-871b-778aea56dcbd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_d38747e4-5bc4-447e-be43-9eda9ae5c286" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementFrequencyDomain_1b6b17f3-79c1-4483-871b-778aea56dcbd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember_d38747e4-5bc4-447e-be43-9eda9ae5c286" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_1cec3a12-0047-4bf4-82d3-a0a9da25da6b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_GainLossRelatedToLitigationSettlement_1cec3a12-0047-4bf4-82d3-a0a9da25da6b" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_68abde2e-04be-4dc7-b7d0-9eb8a4bd53bd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount_68abde2e-04be-4dc7-b7d0-9eb8a4bd53bd" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d0c98b45-0725-4956-b39b-cde53cb64639" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_d0c98b45-0725-4956-b39b-cde53cb64639" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements_685acb6b-ead8-479b-bd3e-9167ac0c9bc9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_CommitmentsAndContingenciesLineItems_dbc23f83-c32d-40aa-b348-d14ab0fa5a6b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromLegalSettlements_685acb6b-ead8-479b-bd3e-9167ac0c9bc9" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SegmentInformationComponentsofSegmentInformationDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#SegmentInformationComponentsofSegmentInformationDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SegmentInformationComponentsofSegmentInformationDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_620bbb34-1534-4006-8d31-bd7ac1d8afc7" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57eae20c-607f-46bb-876a-8b3d6b68934b" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_620bbb34-1534-4006-8d31-bd7ac1d8afc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57eae20c-607f-46bb-876a-8b3d6b68934b" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57eae20c-607f-46bb-876a-8b3d6b68934b" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c8af430f-5e6f-402e-a0d7-db8b1df8cdef" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis_e1dc5bf2-4af2-4176-8883-6c8b37d8b483" xlink:to="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c8af430f-5e6f-402e-a0d7-db8b1df8cdef" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a17ba4a6-c55f-4173-8791-9f5794bbbf99" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c8af430f-5e6f-402e-a0d7-db8b1df8cdef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember_a17ba4a6-c55f-4173-8791-9f5794bbbf99" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_a389b13b-0298-4252-ae49-b5d659da5061" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ConsolidationItemsDomain_c8af430f-5e6f-402e-a0d7-db8b1df8cdef" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember_a389b13b-0298-4252-ae49-b5d659da5061" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentTable_57eae20c-607f-46bb-876a-8b3d6b68934b" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2044ae1-f329-480c-a7e2-628829e59d56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_7797ce9a-be0f-455c-9323-3606949635c4" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2044ae1-f329-480c-a7e2-628829e59d56" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_85c9559f-639d-4db8-8c5e-b1f4a22563c8" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2044ae1-f329-480c-a7e2-628829e59d56" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_85c9559f-639d-4db8-8c5e-b1f4a22563c8" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_EducationMember_7d363ec8-43b9-41ec-a5f2-7db0f6a4656e" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_EducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2044ae1-f329-480c-a7e2-628829e59d56" xlink:to="loc_hurn_EducationMember_7d363ec8-43b9-41ec-a5f2-7db0f6a4656e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_60ef149d-33b4-4cff-973f-34634cffc2b6" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_d2044ae1-f329-480c-a7e2-628829e59d56" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_60ef149d-33b4-4cff-973f-34634cffc2b6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems_620bbb34-1534-4006-8d31-bd7ac1d8afc7" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_37813fa7-844f-4741-b1c7-8e2196350628" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_37813fa7-844f-4741-b1c7-8e2196350628" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ReimbursableRevenues_54f501d7-3889-40b5-859b-9d271ecc6ef6" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ReimbursableRevenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ReimbursableRevenues_54f501d7-3889-40b5-859b-9d271ecc6ef6" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_1b3df46e-8a94-47e9-93e2-8779ad14738c" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_1b3df46e-8a94-47e9-93e2-8779ad14738c" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_5f166c7a-b479-4c12-9e1d-ff8b00c31111" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServiceExcludingDepreciationDepletionAndAmortization_5f166c7a-b479-4c12-9e1d-ff8b00c31111" xlink:type="arc" order="4"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ReimbursableExpense_938d548e-be12-4ca5-8633-5ca4cd885205" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ReimbursableExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ReimbursableExpense_938d548e-be12-4ca5-8633-5ca4cd885205" xlink:type="arc" order="5"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_19d08954-a9bb-4218-a8f6-f00805cf8abe" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_19d08954-a9bb-4218-a8f6-f00805cf8abe" xlink:type="arc" order="6"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_2af51f85-af41-4bbb-b6bb-e0e4892f4ccc" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization_2af51f85-af41-4bbb-b6bb-e0e4892f4ccc" xlink:type="arc" order="7"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_64e9cbd6-9197-4874-86f6-5074aa68af26" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingOtherItemAmount_64e9cbd6-9197-4874-86f6-5074aa68af26" xlink:type="arc" order="8"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_fa1a2902-7abb-4e6c-a469-96d22b46aa1e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses_fa1a2902-7abb-4e6c-a469-96d22b46aa1e" xlink:type="arc" order="9"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_800286f8-9513-4be4-a162-4a0863bfadb9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss_800286f8-9513-4be4-a162-4a0863bfadb9" xlink:type="arc" order="10"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_14994ba5-5559-4c39-a009-81a7cfbe7340" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherSellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense_14994ba5-5559-4c39-a009-81a7cfbe7340" xlink:type="arc" order="11"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_73da0d73-665c-4cad-a44f-b3cbdc752a85" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseNet_73da0d73-665c-4cad-a44f-b3cbdc752a85" xlink:type="arc" order="12"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_6d2e11d3-112d-45bb-a1da-e76045974557" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RestructuringCharges"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RestructuringCharges_6d2e11d3-112d-45bb-a1da-e76045974557" xlink:type="arc" order="13"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_32d79c13-5c93-451d-9680-59c6fba0f5ac" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet_32d79c13-5c93-451d-9680-59c6fba0f5ac" xlink:type="arc" order="14"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_92c144af-1bd9-487f-85f7-363cc4fe6da9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationProfitLossAbstract_c90cce3e-aafd-47fd-aa29-c6167a60e9fd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest_92c144af-1bd9-487f-85f7-363cc4fe6da9" xlink:type="arc" order="15"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#SegmentInformationSegmentInformationDisaggregationofRevenueDetails"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/SegmentInformationSegmentInformationDisaggregationofRevenueDetails" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4faeb99b-3fba-420a-9856-a99c56272d56" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6be29891-586f-4687-84c7-44cbb3bcfdfd" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4faeb99b-3fba-420a-9856-a99c56272d56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6be29891-586f-4687-84c7-44cbb3bcfdfd" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6be29891-586f-4687-84c7-44cbb3bcfdfd" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f09e763a-9f35-408c-b64d-ae7a7d441984" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis_eb5f1583-7ebe-493a-8d7c-68c90f908234" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f09e763a-9f35-408c-b64d-ae7a7d441984" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_bfa2673e-211a-40fa-a2dc-68b8b63bf5bf" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_HealthcareMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f09e763a-9f35-408c-b64d-ae7a7d441984" xlink:to="loc_hurn_HealthcareMember_bfa2673e-211a-40fa-a2dc-68b8b63bf5bf" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_EducationMember_3d703715-0965-48c4-9435-6cbadc75dff9" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_EducationMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f09e763a-9f35-408c-b64d-ae7a7d441984" xlink:to="loc_hurn_EducationMember_3d703715-0965-48c4-9435-6cbadc75dff9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_7d5a7ea0-7564-40e4-bf4a-ca14a0c8f974" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_CommercialMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SegmentDomain_f09e763a-9f35-408c-b64d-ae7a7d441984" xlink:to="loc_hurn_CommercialMember_7d5a7ea0-7564-40e4-bf4a-ca14a0c8f974" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityAxis_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevenueByCapabilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6be29891-586f-4687-84c7-44cbb3bcfdfd" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityAxis_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2_default" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityAxis_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_bc248f9e-2b67-44a2-a1fe-d5f012ae4dc4" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityAxis_eacdad4e-af4f-442e-8e3c-d5a8115bedf2" xlink:to="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_bc248f9e-2b67-44a2-a1fe-d5f012ae4dc4" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember_8c7d2d5c-0877-4960-af12-1f71c6dd6a30" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_bc248f9e-2b67-44a2-a1fe-d5f012ae4dc4" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember_8c7d2d5c-0877-4960-af12-1f71c6dd6a30" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember_d0421fb0-d512-49ce-b1c3-5c3096992db1" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_RevenueByCapabilityDomain_bc248f9e-2b67-44a2-a1fe-d5f012ae4dc4" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember_d0421fb0-d512-49ce-b1c3-5c3096992db1" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityAxis_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueTable_6be29891-586f-4687-84c7-44cbb3bcfdfd" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityAxis_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3" xlink:type="arc" order="3"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3_default" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityAxis_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_4b0a2d0c-209f-474f-b0b1-01d20be3402f" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityAxis_370b1cf3-0e57-451f-afd2-4909437414f3" xlink:to="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_4b0a2d0c-209f-474f-b0b1-01d20be3402f" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember_988deb95-8fe0-4afd-ac9d-cf1da0790954" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_4b0a2d0c-209f-474f-b0b1-01d20be3402f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_ConsultingAndManagedServicesCapabilityMember_988deb95-8fe0-4afd-ac9d-cf1da0790954" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember_daf69fb1-71fe-4e0d-9609-ed05cd662e29" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_hurn_TotalRevenuesByCapabilityDomain_4b0a2d0c-209f-474f-b0b1-01d20be3402f" xlink:to="loc_hurn_DigitalCapabilityMember_daf69fb1-71fe-4e0d-9609-ed05cd662e29" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_cf768e0b-ea22-4a8a-9780-9e308994eb4a" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_Revenues"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4faeb99b-3fba-420a-9856-a99c56272d56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_Revenues_cf768e0b-ea22-4a8a-9780-9e308994eb4a" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_845cb5b5-cfd5-471f-ad0c-d496ebc07b71" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DisaggregationOfRevenueLineItems_4faeb99b-3fba-420a-9856-a99c56272d56" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax_845cb5b5-cfd5-471f-ad0c-d496ebc07b71" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
  <link:roleRef roleURI="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/ValuationandQualifyingAccountsSummaryofAllowancesforDoubtfulAccountsandUnbilledServicesandValuationAllowanceforDeferredTaxAssetsDetail" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="hurn-20241231.xsd#ValuationandQualifyingAccountsSummaryofAllowancesforDoubtfulAccountsandUnbilledServicesandValuationAllowanceforDeferredTaxAssetsDetail"/>
  <link:definitionLink xlink:role="http://www.huronconsultinggroup.com/role/ValuationandQualifyingAccountsSummaryofAllowancesforDoubtfulAccountsandUnbilledServicesandValuationAllowanceforDeferredTaxAssetsDetail" xlink:type="extended">
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_9bc9d177-fb70-413e-8168-29e365d434d0" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_8b7366c5-cb02-4f64-acde-12905c2aea81" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2024/elts/srt-2024.xsd#srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_9bc9d177-fb70-413e-8168-29e365d434d0" xlink:to="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_8b7366c5-cb02-4f64-acde-12905c2aea81" xlink:type="arc" order="1" xbrldt:closed="true" xbrldt:contextElement="segment"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureTable_8b7366c5-cb02-4f64-acde-12905c2aea81" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec_default" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec_default" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_e421ee71-9dad-459e-94a4-14778f5f63a9" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesTypeAxis_417264c2-f75a-4beb-b136-a3be54291aec" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_e421ee71-9dad-459e-94a4-14778f5f63a9" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_3533e22c-8927-4ae1-a96f-35cd00aa6b34" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_e421ee71-9dad-459e-94a4-14778f5f63a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossMember_3533e22c-8927-4ae1-a96f-35cd00aa6b34" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember_92a9f905-7316-4da7-997c-40827948e85e" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDomain_e421ee71-9dad-459e-94a4-14778f5f63a9" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceOfDeferredTaxAssetsMember_92a9f905-7316-4da7-997c-40827948e85e" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_e75f8b5c-a1ac-448a-b336-604bab471002" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_9bc9d177-fb70-413e-8168-29e365d434d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_e75f8b5c-a1ac-448a-b336-604bab471002" xlink:type="arc" order="0"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_17c6539e-b324-448c-9d7c-679327eee7cb" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_9bc9d177-fb70-413e-8168-29e365d434d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesChargedToCostAndExpense_17c6539e-b324-448c-9d7c-679327eee7cb" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_86b6150e-4e5c-4411-b4e4-e1655b33f958" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions"/>
    <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srt_ValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDisclosureLineItems_9bc9d177-fb70-413e-8168-29e365d434d0" xlink:to="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesDeductions_86b6150e-4e5c-4411-b4e4-e1655b33f958" xlink:type="arc" order="2"/>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance_572d209f-1b35-4828-8932-4428691534a1" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2024/elts/us-gaap-2024.xsd#us-gaap_ValuationAllowancesAndReservesBalance"/>
  </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
